Jayda Bushor has been named Merill High School’s Youth Optimist of the Month for the month of April.
Jayda was nominated by Mr. Brad Potter and Mr. Joshua Olson. Mr. Potter comments, “I taught Jayda in World History and also had her in my advisory when I was teaching. Since then, she continues to be friendly and visit with me whenever I see her. She is very selfless and very willing to help others any time she can. She has always been very positive in her interactions with me and other students. She has a unique warmth to her personality and immediately puts others at ease when they are around her. She is complementary and very willing to do things for others.”
Mr. Potter adds, “Jayda truly is a student that anyone would want in their school. Trustworthy, hard working, respectful, thoughtful — all of these words describe her well.” Mr. Olson writes, “Jayda has been in choir, Vocal Jayz, and the spring musical since I have been teaching at Merrill High School. In large groups, you need students to lead the positive attitude for the group and do behind the scenes work to make things run smoothly.
“Jayda does both. She can consistently be heard saying ‘we got this guys’ before a difficult section of music, and is always willing to help anyone who is struggling. She keeps a smile and a positive attitude through tasks that might be seen as mundane like sight-singing or solfege work. She is very vocal about how happy she is to be doing the extra work. Jayda is not only vocally optimistic, but genuinely cares about other students, wants to find out what is going on with them, and interact on a consistent basis.
“The classes and groups that I lead would not be the same without Jayda in them, in both talent and in attitude/motivation. On days when energy might be low, I know I can count on her to keep the group focused and moving as one unit, and it is such an honor to have her in so many of the activities I run.”
During her high school career Jayda has participated in the fall play, spring musical, Marching Jayz, Solo and Ensemble, Octagon Club, Big Sisters, Link Crew, homecoming activities (skit/window painting/float building/banner making etc), Student Council, dance, piano lessons, and class officer during her sophomore, junior and senior year. Jayda has also participated in National Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honors Society, WSMA State Honors Choir, and State Solo and Ensemble. She was a choir soprano section leader and also a religious education leader.
Community activities that Jayda participates in are Girl Scouts, small group leader at religious ed classes, teacher’s aid in a 3k room, LIT Youth Night MC, St. Francis Snack Shack, High School Music Group at St. Francis, and the St. Francis Family Choir.
As for future plans, Jayda now plans to attend UW-LaCrosse with a major in Elementary Education and a minor in Vocal Performance, with an emphasis in religious studies. Jayda is the daughter of Noel and Julie Bushor of Merrill.