The Noon Optimists have chosen Kathryn Ball Merrill High School Youth Optimist of the Month, for the month of December.
Kathryn was nominated by Mrs. Amy Raddatz who writes: “Katy always has a positive attitude whether it’s working with peers during class discussions, casually conversing during study time, or meeting the three o’clock deadline for the school publication. She will readily volunteer to answer difficult questions and builds up her peers with support and encouragement. No matter what type of group Katy belongs to, she makes all feel comfortable, welcome, and valued contributors.” Mrs. Raddatz also comments, “Katy stands out among her peers as a confident, optimistic, intelligent and strong leader. She doesn’t let pessimism and negativity bother her. In the face of negativity, she focuses on her strengths and the strengths of others. This attitude attracts positive people and deters negative. It is simply very difficult to be negative around Katy! Katy is the reason we have student writers for the Bluejay Beat.
Before Katie, staff members were asked to submit articles. As a sophomore in 2016, Katy expressed interest in improving her writing skills and became the first student journalist at Merrill High School. Since then, she has written many articles, conducted many interviews, and has become an expert user of Pages, the iPad, MacBook Air, and the Google Suite. Because of Katy, all of the articles in the bi-weekly publication are now written by students.
Katy is involved in such school activities as MHS Girls Varsity Swim Team (earning the Bluejay Award, Varsity letter, and team Captain), JV Soccer, Treble and Concert Choir, MHS Book Club, the MHS musical, Octagon Club and was named senior year Homecoming Queen. Other activities Katy is involved in include; Link Crew A-Team and Leader, Bluejay Beat journalist, Big Sisters, National Honor Society President, LEAD, Student Senate, Senior Class Council, Junior Optimist Club, and MHS Varsity Wrestling photographer. She was also a Foto News “Athlete of the Week.”
In the community Katy volunteers for St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and school, TB Scott Library, Octagon Club, National Honor Society, Special Olympics, blanket making for the nursing home, MHS Book Club, Merrill Wrestling Northern Exposure Tournament, Jefferson Elementary Santa’s workshop, and Church Mutual Insurance family Christmas party.
After graduation, Katy plans to attend the University of Wisconsin- Madison to major in Psychology to become a school psychologist. She is the daughter of Tom and Mary Ball of Merrill.