Community

MariElla Viola is the Sauk Prairie Optimist Club’s Middle Level Leader for March. She is an eighth grader and the daughter of Brian and Melissa Viola. She and her parents were honored at the Optimist Club via Zoom on March 17. She was nominated by her core teachers who had this to say: “In a COVID year and in a class of over 200 students it can be hard to stand out but MariElla Viola has been outstanding. In her own quiet way, MariElla has shown the leadership qualities that makes us proud to present her as a Middle Level Leader. MariElla is a conscientious and empathetic person that shows the value of service leadership. MariElla takes the time required to understand her classmates and to help them without calling attention to herself or to mistakes. MariElla is willing to spend her time helping others in and outside class and school. As a student, MariElla also leads. She leads by helping make classrooms respectful and safe spaces to learn and grow. MariElla is an eighth grade leader that reflects the standards Sauk Prairie Middle School challenges all the eighth graders to aspire toward. The teachers and administrators appreciate the support of the Optimist Club and are positive that MariElla is a current and future leader that will make the Sauk Prairie community a better place to live.” At the Middle School, MariElla is involved with We Are Who We Are, a Black student club. Outside school she is active in both dance and softball. MariElla plans to attend college and is keeping her career options open. MariElla Viola was selected for the Optimist March Middle Level Leader and was honored at their March 17 Zoom meeting. Ted Harter, SPMS Middle School Principal, introduced MariElla and her parents who all attended via Zoom.

The SP Optimist SPHS March Student of the Month is Maddie Ganshert. Her parents are Amanda Ganshert and Ryan Keith (stepfather) and Paul Ganshert and Kathleen Ganshert (stepmother). She and her parents were honored at the March 17 Optimist Zoom meeting. Maddie is a four-year member of the SPHS show choirs with one year in YTBN (Yet To Be Named) and three years in Executive Session. She has been a section leader of choir and show choir for two years! As a National Honor Society member, Maddie was instrumental in creating Trauma Kits which are needed supplies for classrooms in case of an emergency and helped raise $3000 to restock 116 kits. She also organized a singing group that visited assisted living facilities in Sauk Prairie (pre-pandemic). Shane Been, Assistant Principal at SPHS, who introduced her to the Optimist Club, shared a recent example of her service. Friday, March 12, school was not in session. However, Maddie was there all day organizing the SPHS Music department’s costumes in the River Arts Center’s costume shop. Due to renovations and additions to the River Arts Center, all costumes need to be moved by May 1. An excellent student, Maddie is in three Advanced Placement classes. Plus, she is a shift leader at a local restaurant. When asked how she would describe herself in three words, Maddie replied “tenacious, reflective and driven.” Been described her additionally as “optimistic and full of energy.” Maddie plans on going to college and majoring in biochemistry with a minor in Spanish.

Dr. Staci Strobl and Jacob Wehler.

Angelica Bare