by David K. Williams
Menomonie Optimist Club members continued a 30-plus year program of
honoring outstanding Dunn County youth at their January meeting. Two
Menomonie High School seniors, Tali Swaenepoel and Carter Davis, were named Youth of the Month.
Tali Swaenepoel, officially honored in November, but unable to attend the award event, is enrolled both as a Menomonie High School student, and in the CVTC Business Management High School Academies program. Upon graduation, she
will not only receive her high school diploma, but also her Associates Degree in
Business Management. Tali is a member of the Student Council, the National
Honor Society, DECA, the Link Crew and the Thirst Program. She was voted MVP of the tennis team this year and was team captain. Tali works at Jennifer Joyce Floral Design and the Silver Dollar. Her plans for next year are to travel widely through Europe, before returning to get involved in business. Her parents
are Shawn Swaenepoel and Kalani Krautbauer.
Carter Davis has pursued advanced placement classes at Menomonie High
School, including in Psychology, U.S. History, and English Literature. He’s a
member of the National Honor Society, and has earned seven athletic letters in
cross country and track. He was team captain of the cross-country squad.
Carter represented Menomonie at Badger Boys State in 2022. He’s also a
member of the school band, playing French horn, earning honors in district solo
ensemble and honors band. Carter works at Fleet Farm. He plans to enroll at
UW-Whitewater next fall, majoring in business. Carter’s parents are Corey and
Kara Davis.
Menomonie Optimists serve Dunn County youth in programs in addition to the
Youth of the Month program. Every third grader in Dunn County receives a
dictionary each year. Optimists conduct regular work programs in conjunction with the Wisconsin DNR at Hoffman Hills, and sponsor the annual Menomin Meander, a family friendly and totally free bike ride around Lake Menomin each August.
