Pogodzinski named Abbotsford Lions Club Student of the Quarter
Abbotsford High School senior Margo Pogodzinski has been named the Abbotsford Lions Club Student of the Quarter for the first quarter of the 2024-25 school year.
Pogodzinski carries a rigorous class schedule which includes calculus, written and oral communication, introduction to sociology, school-to-work, and student teacher aide. Her co-curricular activities include National Honor Society, Student Senate, vice president of the class of 2025 and FBLA, Educators Rising, CESA 10 Leadership Committee, Safe School Ambassadors, BLAST, Mathletes, Mixed and Show Choir, and Jazz Band. She is also the varsity captain of her volleyball team and member of the track & field team.
Choir director, Kim Schindler, highly recommended her for the Student-ofthe- Quarter award. “Margo challenges herself academically, athletically, and musically. She is a leader in the classroom, modeling active participation, risk taking, and an eagerness to learn and grow as a person,” Schindler stated. “She shows true concern and compassion for others, and always wants to help make situations better for everyone. Her peers look to her for advice and value her opinion.”
Pogodzinski’s volunteerism attests to her belief in community service. She has been actively involved by bell ringing for the Salvation Army, assisting at Booster Club concession stands, Red Cross blood drives, Volleyball Alumni and youth tournaments, Fun Run and Mock Accident service projects and tutoring.
When asked to identify an outstanding feature of the community, Margo applauded the Abbotsford community and school district for “creating a sense that we are one big family providing love and support for students in numerous ways. Seeing this support within my community made me want to start giving back, instilling in me the realization that greater amounts of involvement can and have led to many connections within the community for me and other students.”
When asked to define a major world problem, Pogodzinski responded, “I would confront mental health. As a student, athlete, and community member, I see my peers challenged with namecalling, stereotyping, stress and burnout. Many communities believe they are doing their part by promoting mental health initiatives within their organizations, but some are lacking unintentionally. Organizations should make an effort to be proactive instead of reactive by providing communitybased support programs, increasing the number of mental health professionals within an area, and expanding access to hotlines and resources to back them up. Long-lasting initiatives will create proactive, sustainable solutions to the mental health crisis.”
Margo currently works as office administration support at Meyer Manufacturing and as a barista at The Coffee Coop. After graduation, she plans to attend a four-year Wisconsin university, currently leaning toward UW-Stevens Point or UW-Green Bay, focusing on either elementary education or business.
She is the daughter of Christina Lewison, Bradley Pogodzinski, and Brian Lewison.
