An outstanding Dunn County high school student, Ashley Slupe of Menomonie High School, was honored as the Menomonie Optimist Club Youth of the Month for May.

Ashley Slupe is the daughter of Angie and Greg Slupe, and has been a three-sport athlete at Menomonie High School, lettering in tennis, hockey and soccer.  She provided team leadership as captain for both the tennis and hockey teams this past year.  Ashley earned all-conference recognition in hockey.  She has served the Student Council throughout her high school years and is secretary of that body.  Ashley also has served on the LINK leadership program, which helps mentor new students to the school each year.

Ashley has also been a member of the National Honor Society.  Outside of school, she traveled on a mission trip for her church to Mexico.  Ashley’s favorite classes are in the sciences and health-related courses.  She plans to attend Lawrence University to major in biology and play on the Vikings’ hockey team.

An interesting note is that Ashley’s father, Greg Slupe, was himself honored as a Youth of the Month during his high school career in Menomonie.

In addition to honoring the Youth of the Month, the Menomonie Optimists conduct work projects with local students each year at Hoffman Hills State Recreation Area, have in the past provided dictionaries to every third grade student in Dunn County, and host the Menomin Meander, a family-friendly and totally free bike ride around Menomonie’s Lake Menomin Loop each August.

David Williams is a Menomonie resident and retired UW-Stout administrator.