Optimist Club of Mount Horeb, Wisconsin

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Mount Horeb, WI
Optimist Club of Mount Horeb, Wisconsin

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We believe that the giving of one’s self in service to our youth will advance the well-being of humankind, community, and the world.

The Mount Horeb Optimist Club strives to develop Optimism as a philosophy of life utilizing the tenets of the Optimist Creed; to promote an active interest in good government and civic affairs; to inspire respect for law; to promote patriotism and work for international accord and friendship among all people; to aid and encourage the development of youth in the belief that the giving of one’s self in service to others will advance the well-being of humankind, community life and the world. From sponsoring youth sporting events to helping those dealing with childhood cancer to funding scholarships for graduating seniors—the Mount Horeb Optimist Club is responding to the special needs of youth in our community.

10/30/2026

Reason No. 7 to join the Mount Horeb Optimists.

On Saturday, October 24, the Mount Horeb Optimist Road Rally came back after several years, with a dress code. Cynthia and Mara planned the night and asked everyone to come as hippies. The picture tells you how that went.

Four to a car, a handful of clues, and a flashlight to find the next one. The night wandered from a cemetery to the troll on the hillside at the edge of town, and from an ice cream shop to s'mores at a county park. One clue sent everyone to a tavern in Blue Mounds, in a way no one saw coming.

The last clue said to go find the Bears. We all knew who that was. Two of our original Mount Horeb Optimists.

Cynthia and Mara provided us with a wonderful night of fellowship and fun.

10/21/2026

MELAINA TETZLAFF IS “SOMEONE YOU SHOULD KNOW”

Melaina was chosen as the Optimist Club’s high school recipient of the “Someone You Should Know” award for outstanding community service for the month of October.

Melaina is a senior at Mount Horeb High School. She has been a member of HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) for three years and is currently serving as the president.

She is the vice president of Best Buddies, and has also been a two year member of Letters of Love and Club Interact. Melaina participated for two years on the high school volleyball team and played ClubVolleyball for six years.

Outside of school, Melaina has been a volunteer at Neighbors Helping Neighbors and the Clothes Closet, and she has helped fill activity bags for kids at ELC Church. She helped coach Middle School volleyball and coached Little Kids Soccer.

The Optimist Club has been thankful to have her volunteer with such events as the Silent Auction, Prairie Fire and their Christmas event during Covid. With her family, Melaina has been a bell ringer for many years during the Christmas season and has helped with Meals on Wheels.

Helping the Chamber, she has served snacks and drinks during Creepy Crawl and has even dressed as Jorgen the Troll for Chamber events. She volunteered at Urgent Care in Mt. Horeb. Before working as a CNA at Beehive, Melaina played games with the residents. She also does in-home care.

Melaina was honored at the October meeting of the Optimist Club. She received a certificate of recognition, $50.00, and is also in the running to receive one of the Optimist Club scholarships awarded at the Senior Awards event in May. The Optimist Club of Mount Horeb is proud to name Melaina Tetzlaff as “Someone You Should Know.”

Photo Caption : Karen, Melaina, and Sacha Tetzlaff

10/21/2026

NEELA PATTERSON IS “SOMEONE YOU SHOULD KNOW”

Neela was chosen as the Optimist Club’s high school recipient of the “Someone You Should Know” award for outstanding community service for the month of October.

Neela is a senior at Mount Horeb High School. She is a four year member of the Social Justice Club which provides opportunities for creating fair and equitable learning environments, providing opportunities for discussion, and deepening the understanding of social justice. She has been a three year member of HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) learning about the future of healthcare. Neela is also a member of the high school French Club.

Outside of school, Neela volunteered for two summers in the Mount Horeb Summer School program helping students develop their math and reading skills as well as making sure they remained motivated and engaged in their learning.

She has been working as a CNA for over a year and a half helping senior memory care residents in the community with caregiving and creating a community for them to thrive with supportive care.

Neela has been a member of the Warriors Academy of Martial Arts for nine years. She is a second degree black belt and has been helping younger students learn and develop their skills for almost seven years. As one parent shared, “Neela has helped to build an encouraging, welcoming, and supportive environment and helped younger students learn new skills and have fun. The kids and parents there adore her and really look up to her. She is so patient and kind. She pays attention to what each student needs and creates a really trusting relationship where the kids can thrive. Earning a second degree black belt before even graduating high school is crazy impressive. That took incredible dedication.”

Neela was honored at the October meeting of the Optimist Club. She received a certificate of recognition, $50.00, and is also in the running to receive one of the Optimist Club scholarships awarded at the Senior Awards event in May. The Optimist Club of Mount Horeb is proud to name Neela Patterson as “Someone You Should Know.”

Photo Caption: Eric, Neela, and Teresa Patterson

09/22/2026

ALYSSA GARRITY IS “SOMEONE YOU SHOULD KNOW”

Alyssa was chosen as the Optimist Club’s high school recipient of the “Someone You Should Know” award for outstanding community service for the month of September.

Alyssa Garrity is a senior at Mount Horeb High School. She is actively involved in several clubs. As a member of “Letters of Love’’, the organization provides emotional support to children battling serious illnesses through heart-felt, handwritten letters. Club Interact is a student-led community service club and gives back to others in ways such as making meals for Feed My Starving Children and sending heartfelt messages to kids staying at Ronald McDonald House. In Spanish Club, the Hispanic culture is appreciated in addition to enjoying related music, food, art and entertainment.

Outside of school, Alyssa has been a dancer at Forte Studios since she was three years old. Her passion for dance shows in two distinct ways: she trains and dances in Ballet, Modern, Tap, Hip Hop and Jazz. She has also competed in Dance Masters of Wisconsin for
two years. Alyssa started teaching dance in 10th grade – first as an Assistant Student Teacher and now as a Student Teacher for the younger dancers. Each year, the Forte dancers participate in give-back programs like making care bags for the homeless and
painting rocks in the community to inspire kindness and creativity.

As a member of Blackhawk Church in Middleton, Alyssa has served the Madison and surrounding communities through Madison Missions. She also serves as an Assistant Teacher for toddlers in the B-Kids Program. During the holiday season and winter months, Alyssa will be volunteering with Neighbors Helping Neighbors.

After high school, Alyssa will be attending college. Although she has not finalized which college yet, she plans to be active outside of her studies. She has interest in serving her campus community in programs like Students for Sustainability and Wish-Makers.

Alyssa also looks forward to joining college organizations such as Women in Business, Women’s Sorority Life, and Competitive Dance Groups or Collectives.

Alyssa was honored at the September meeting of the Optimist Club. She received a certificate of recognition, $50.00, and is also in the running to receive one of the Optimist Club scholarships awarded at the Senior Awards event in May. The Optimist Club of Mount Horeb is proud to name Alyssa Garrity as “Someone You Should Know.”

Photo Caption: Curt, Reese, Alyssa, and Brook Garrity

09/22/2026

MADDIE BECKER IS “SOMEONE YOU SHOULD KNOW”

Maddie was chosen as the Optimist Club’s high school recipient of the “Someone You Should Know” award for outstanding community service for the month of September.

Maddie Becker is a senior at Mount Horeb High School. Since moving to Mount Horeb 4 years ago, Maddie has become very involved in her school and her community. Within her school she is active in numerous clubs including: Student Council, National Honor Society, Club Interact, Outdoors Club, Skills USA and Debate Club. Maddie has served as Vice President of Student Council her junior year and this year as a senior she is serving as Student Council President. She is also on the officer team for the National Honor Society. During her junior year, Maddie was a student representative for the School Board and served on the Education Committee. She is currently awaiting her assignment for this year. Over this past summer Maddie was sponsored by the Mount Horeb Rotary Club to attend the World Affairs Seminar at Carroll College.

Maddie has competed as a member of the MHHS track team the past 3 years, serving as a captain her Junior year. She intends to run the spring of her senior year as well. Maddie has also been on the Viking Girls Swim Team for 4 years and is currently a team captain.

Additionally, Maddie is active in the Mount Horeb Music Program. She is a member of the band and has served as Drum Major her junior and senior year. She has also represented MHHS at State Solo & Ensemble for the past 3 years.

In her community, Maddie serves by volunteering through Club Interact. She is also a volunteer with the Optimist Club of Mount Horeb throughout the year at Storybook Theatre, Super Bowl

Silent Auction and at the Kid’s Zone at the Norsk 4th of July Festival. Maddie is always happy to help wherever she is needed.

Maddie dances with Forte Studios and is starting her 5th season as part of X-Tension dance company. She is Dance Captain for the company this year. The dance company serves the community throughout the season with various acts of kindness as well as performances for

local nursing homes.

Next year, Maddie plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison majoring in neurobiology and psychology with an emphasis on research.

Maddie was honored at the September meeting of the Optimist Club. She received a certificate of recognition, $50.00, and is also in the running to receive one of the Optimist Club scholarships awarded at the Senior Awards event in May. The Optimist Club of Mount Horeb is proud to name Maddie Becker as “Someone You Should Know.”

Photo Caption: Ryan, Maddie, Lindsay, Haylie

09/15/2026

Have you been wanting to get more involved in your Mt Horeb-Blue Mounds community and meet some fun people along the way? Come and check out the Optimist Club of Mount Horeb!

We meet the 3rd Monday of every month 6:45-8:00PM September-May at the Mt Horeb Public Library meeting room. We have our first meeting of the 2026-2027 school year Monday September 21st.

Come for a few minutes or stay for the whole meeting and see what we’re all about. We help raise funds as well as host events for the youth of our community.

09/15/2026

Time is running out!! Reserve a seat today.

08/18/2026

A wonderful night at Grundahl Park.

Once a year the club puts the work down and just gets together - and last night was it. A gorgeous August evening, a table loaded with food everybody brought, and company that was even better than the spread. (And the spread was something.)

A few of us had crossed paths on the Fourth, but most of us hadn't been in the same place since our last meeting in the spring - a whole summer of vacations and time away. So it was good, real good, to be back around the same table, now that everyone's rolling home for the start of school.

The evening just flew.

Full confession: we got so busy catching up that nobody thought to take a picture until the very end. Good thing the president of Team O finally rounded us up for one. These are the families still hanging around at the end. There were more of us enjoying the dinner and conversation. Next year, we'll take it earlier - and get a few more of us in it.

Here's to the families, friends, and neighbors who make this club what it is.

08/11/2026

What a night. Eighteen women turned out for our women's self-defense class - and left standing a little taller.

Instructor Master Brandon Tracy, a 5th Degree Black Belt and self-defense specialist, did a phenomenal job, along with his assistant Evan. We all learned some great skills and walked out feeling more confident in our ability to defend ourselves.

Thank you to Brandon, to Evan, and to every woman who showed up ready to learn. This is what our club is about - neighbors looking out for each other.

08/07/2026

We still have a handful of spots open for Monday's class if you'd like to join us! Either register via Venmo or pay cash/check at the door

Address

PO Box 185
Mount Horeb, WI
53572

Website

https://mounthoreboptimist.com/newsletter/

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