Community

Finn Abernathy is the Optimist Sauk Prairie Middle Level Leader for May. He is an eighth grader and the son of Michael and Ellen Abernathy. Nominated by his core teachers, they stated: “As eighth graders begin to transition to thinking about high school in the near future, both anxiety and excitement mix together, Finn is a reliable and stable presence for his classmates. Although it may not be explicitly noticed, Finn’s classmates respond to his ability to maintain a high level of academic work mixed with social skills. Finn’s leadership shows up in classrooms with his willingness to ask questions and for clarifications on lessons. Finn is always respectful to the school, adults, and classmates. Finn is a student leader that reflects the standards Sauk Prairie Middle School challenges all the eighth graders to reach toward. We are confident that Finn will be a future leader that will make the Sauk Prairie community a better place to live.” In school, Finn is involved in basketball, show-choir band and forensics. Outside of school, he enjoys soccer and being on the Pool Sharks swim team. In the future, Finn plans to attend college but is keeping his options open. Pictured, from left: Marin and Ellen Abernathy, sister and mother of Finn; Tricia Rodey, Sauk Prairie Middle School Principal; Finn Abernathy, May Middle Level Leader; Mike Abernathy, Finn’s father; Sauk Prairie Optimist Club member Diane Shaw, on May 3 at the Optimist Club meeting.

Nick Basken, son of Amy and Brian Basken, is the May Optimist Sauk Prairie High School Student of the Month.  He is a senior. Shane Been, Assistant Principal shared, “Nick has had an incredible impact on the music department over his high school career.  He has been in marching band for five years, culminating in being drum major this past year.  He has been in musicals and show choir all four years as well, playing the lead role his senior year in each.  He also qualified for state solo and ensemble each year.” His music teacher states, “Nick is as synonymous with music as you can become as a student.   Nick holds himself to the highest standards of achievement and continues to push the boundaries of entrepreneurship through his “music for hire” services.  Without Nick Basken, our music department would’ve looked very different the past four years.” Nick is going to Columbia College- Chicago next year for original composition and songwriting.” Pictured, from left: Shane Been, Sauk Prairie High School Assistant Principal; Amy Basken, mother of Nick Basken; Nancy Breunig, Sauk Prairie Optimist member; Nick Basken, May Student of the Month; Nick’s father, Brian Basken.

Pictured, Friend Dorothy Osterfund, Dr. Mark Erhlich, the Optimist’s speaker on ADHD and Vicki Gullickson, Sauk Prairie Optimist member, on April 5.