The Optimist Club of Fort Atkinson on Tuesday honored its annual Optimist Youth Appreciation Award winners.
According to information released by Fort Atkinson High School Principal Leigh Ann Scheuerell, “each year, the Fort Atkinson High School faculty and staff are given the rewarding, yet difficult, task of selecting two students from the sophomore, junior and senior classes for the annual Optimist Youth Appreciation Award.
“Our focus is on identifying deserving students, paying particular attention to students who serve as leaders, demonstrate high character traits, and are role models in terms of their citizenship and overall participation in school.”
The students recognized Tuesday, Scheuerell wrote, “stood out to the selection committee as responsible young adults who make a difference in our school and community. These students are involved in a variety of activities throughout Fort Atkinson and are considered good, hardworking students. Most importantly, they are role models who have a positive impact on our school and community.”
A brief bio of each award recipient, by grade level, follows.
Sophomores
Emily Hesselbacher
According to the release, Hesselbacher is the daughter of Allen and Beth Hesselbacher. Hesselbacher’s school activities include girls soccer and girls volleyball. The recipient participated in each sport for two years. Hesselbacher enjoys volunteering in her community through coaching a youth soccer camp her freshman year. In the future, Hesselbacher would like to volunteer at the humane society, when she is 16, and also join the Big Buddy program next year, which forms partnerships between high school and elementary school students. Hesselbacher’s interests include listening to music, spending time with her family, soccer, painting or coloring, golfing, playing with her dogs, and going to Brewer games. Hesselbacher plans to attend college after high school. She is considering a career in counseling or psychology. She additionally has set goals to move somewhere warm and foster dogs.
Kurt Lewis III
According to the release, Lewis is the son of Kurt Lewis, Jr., and Kristal Lewis. Lewis’ time in school has included participation on the yearbook staff, along with participating in FFA for three years, as a member of the PAC staff fort two years, in Football and basketball, each for two years, Golf and Field. Lewis enjoys supporting the community and has helped at Second Harvest, Knights of Columbus, Big Buddy, Interact Club, as a library volunteer and with the Operation Christmas Child program. Lewis likes to spend his free time listening to music, particularly on vinyl records, playing basketball, and he additionally enjoys cooking, interacting with animals and helping others. His future plans include becoming a D1 rower for the University of Wisconsin-Madison while working on a nursing degree.
Juniors
Claire Burnett
According to the release, Burnett is the daughter of Kendra and Jason Burnett. While at Fort Atkinson High School, Burnett has served as a football, boys basketball and baseball manager for three years. Burnett has participated in FFA for four years, serving this year as secretary. She will serve as president next year. Within the community, Burnett has participated in “Modern Family,” and has spent considerable time as an FFA events volunteer. In her free time, Burnett is an equestrian, participates in show cattle preparation, and enjoys hiking, fishing and spending time with friends. After high school, Burnett plans to attend the Air Force Academy and become a pilot, and she plans on attending Pennsylvania State University, where she hopes to earn a degree in agricultural education.
Korynne Kutz
According to the release, Kutz is the daughter of Kristin and John Kutz. While in high school, Kutz has been involved in clubs and activities, including the Jefferson County Coalition in her freshman year, the LatinX Club for two years, Library Advisory Secretary, Student Senate, currently serving as its secretary, debate, in her freshman year, and BASIC Club, participating for three years. She serves as the club’s president. Kutz likes gives back to her community and has been involved in Awana at church and coaching soccer. Kutz additionally has interest in business management, accounting, and marketing. She enjoys baking and athletics. Kutz also has plans to work in the fields of business and marketing. She anticipates playing soccer in college.
Seniors
Maren Selle
According to the release, Selle is the daughter of Andy and Robynn Selle. She has participated varsity soccer for four years and is the team’s captain, and varsity swim for three years. She additionally is a three-year member of the National Honors Society and serves as the organization’s president. She has been involved as a four-year member of the school’s student Senate and has served as the Leadership Development Chair for two years. Selle us the class vice president. Within the community, Selle has supported the Fort Atkinson Youth Triathlon, the NHS Blood Drive and Christmas Neighbors of Jefferson County programs.
Selle, enjoys traveling, reading, hiking, and boating, and works as a lifeguard/swim instructor. She also likes to play sports, shop and spend time with her family and friends. Upon graduation, Selle, as did both her parents, will attend Purdue University to study engineering.
Aiden Wirth
According to the release, Wirth is the son of Corina and Alex Wirth. Wirth has been highly involved in high school activities by participating for three years as part of the Debate Team, for two years as part of the Interact Club, for three years as part of the Blackhawk Boaters, and for two years as a member of the Library Advisory Club, serving as its president. Wirth spends time giving back to the greater community through organizations such as the Madison SVdP youth Service Council, serving as the group’s vice president, and Project LEAD. Wirth additionally enjoys giving back through community service projects, including such events as: Interact’s Pancake Breakfast, filling the “blessing box,” boxing dinners for “Feed Your Soul”, boxing dinners for the SVdP Food Pantry in Madison, helping fundraise scholarship money to help pay for tuition, food and gas to families in need, and he is a frequent volunteer at the Second Harvest Mobile Food Pantry at St. Joes. In his spare time, Wirth enjoys canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking, working out at Crossfit, reading, and playing video games with his brothers. After high school, Wirth plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison, seeking a degree in political science.
Fort Atkinson High School seniors Aiden Wirth, front row, from left, and Maren Selle, along with junior Korynne Kutz, back row, from left, sophomores Emily Hesselbacher and Kurt Lewis III, and junior Claire Burnett gather to receive recognition as this year’s recipients of the annual Optimist Youth Appreciation Award. Contributed photo.
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