Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Opelt, Shoup
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 3/24/2021
Neillsville’s First Junior Kiwanian Of The Year
Neillsville High School senior, Bella Opelt was recently named the Neillsville Junior Kiwanian for March. Submitted Photo
The Neillsville Kiwanis Club has named Neillsville High School senior Bella Opelt as its Junior Kiwanian for March.
Opelt is the daugher of Ryan and Sunni Opelt. Opelt was named the Junior Kiwanian for the month at the club’s March 8 meeting.
“Bella has accumulated an impressive l8ist of academic, athletic and community-related achievements throughout her high school years, and is very deserving of this honor,” says Brent Shoup, a Neillsville Kiwanis Club member, in a Merch 18 press release.
Opelt is a member of the National Honor Society, has served on student council and was selected as class vice president. She is a member of Spanish club, choir, show choir, art club and Being a Leader and Standing Tall (BLAST). In addition, she is an FFA member and serves as a classroom volunteer.
“Bella has had an outstanding career as a three-sport athlete, receiving numerous awards,” Shoup wrote.
Opelt was selected to the all-conference first team this past volleyball season, and the all-conference second team for softball in 2019. In basketball, she has been named to all-conference teams in all four seasons, and this year was named Cloverbelt Conference-East Player of the Year, Division 4 All-State honorable mention and a News Channel 7 All-Star. In her sophomore year, she was a three-time conference champion in track and a state qualifier in the relay.
She actively volunteers in the community, working with the Neillsville Recreation Department at coaching and refereeing, assisting in York Center Methodist Church activities, collecting food for the Clark County Food pantry and helping with the FFA highway clean-up.
“The Neillsville community can take pride in this outstanding student-athlete who has demonstrated excellence in all aspects of her high school career,” Shoup wrote. “The Neillsville Kiwanis Club is honored to have her as its Junior Kiwanian and wishes her success in her future pursuits.”
Following graduation, Bella plans to attend Ripon College to major in early childhood education, and has signed a letter of intent to play basketball.
