The Holy Cross Educator

For the past eight years, Michelle Agnoni has looked out the doors of the central office as rounds of students make their way through the halls of Hoban. As head of attendance, she strives to make the office a place where students can enthusiastically and comfortably visit throughout their school day.

“My goal is to make students feel welcome and comfortable in the office," Agnoni said. "That is what I try to instill. Coming to the school office should not be an intimidating experience.”

As a mother of two Hoban graduates, Agnoni effortlessly steps into a motherly role for students throughout her day. At any given moment, she can be seen helping a student with a ripped pair of pants, calling a family member for a student who doesn't feel well or simply keeping watch in the hallways during class change. There is no such thing as a typical day in the central office.

"We're all here for the kids – that's what a school is...it's the kids, Agnoni said. "I most appreciate the times, like the first day of school, when the student body is whole. There is an electricity in the building when everyone comes back."

Agnoni began her journey at Hoban in July 2014, when her daughter Cori (’17) was entering her freshman year. Soon after, her daughter Monica (’20) joined the Agnoni ranks, deepening Hoban’s rich family traditions. Cori is now in her first year of law school at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, and Monica is a sophomore at Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Ind.

Prior to working at Hoban, Agnoni served as the secretary at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School. For nearly 10 years, Agnoni has been the face of the Hoban. She is often the first person to greet students, Holy Cross educators and families, and is known for working tirelessly to embody the Holy Cross core values.

“Educating hearts and minds encompasses not only teachers, but everyone working at Hoban," Agnoni said. "We are all here to help with the formation of students' hearts and minds. It’s not only taught in the classroom. Anything I can do to reinforce the values students are taught at home and in the classroom is what I try to do." "Michelle embodies the Holy Cross core value of Family in all she does at Hoban," said Principal T.K. Griffith ’89. "Often, she serves as a second Mom to many students during the day...shepherding them and looking after the details of their busy schedules...caring for them like they were her own. She balances humility, humor and goodness equally well in serving the Hoban student body as perhaps the most important person in the building in the lives of the students on many days."

Agnoni also appreciates witnessing the students interacting with the active Brothers of Holy Cross who work in the building. She believes that it truly brings the Holy Cross values into fruition, and creates exemplary opportunities for the students to deepen their faith.

"We are blessed to have two active Brothers at Hoban," Agnoni said. "It's important for us all to uphold the Holy Cross values to make sure the work and legacy of so many Brothers lives on."

Some of Agnoni’s favorite memories at the school revolve around her experience with the students. Mum Day, her favorite Hoban tradition, never ceases to amaze her, even after eight years.

“It never fails to bring the goosebumps when you hear H on 3,” Agnoni said.

Mum Day encapsulates all that she loves about the school. It brings everyone together as a family and creates enduring memories for the students. According to Agnoni, this family dynamic is what makes Hoban stand out as such a special school.

“It’s the kids. The kids, the families, the people – that make Hoban such a unique environment," Agnoni said. “That’s why I love my job. It’s because of the kids. Whether they’re still in the building or whether they’re not – even after you graduate or your children graduate, you are still a part of Hoban.”