Spartan Spotlight–Class of 2022 Senior Edition

SPARTAN SPOTLIGHT

Class of 2022 Senior Edition

Dear Mrs. Johnson, Math has always been the subject I struggle with most. I want to thank you for being such a great teacher to my peers and me. You have a way of teaching that makes math fun and engages everyone. We all appreciate that so much. You make sure all of your students feel comfortable talking to you, which is so important nowadays. Most of all, you are preparing us for our next chapter. As we move into college, we will be taking math courses that you prepared us for. We all know to reach out to you if we need any help. Thank you so much for being such a great teacher and friend to all of your students. We appreciate you!

Sincerely, Tristan Grosam Dear Mr. Harper, My history teachers have always been amazing people and made the subject more interesting than any other. I want to thank you for being the last of those teachers in my pre-college education. I will always miss APUSH and APGOV, even though I was pretty bad at the AP exams. Your humor (or genuine annoyance) helped me feel closer to you, or at least made you feel like less of a taskmaster/lecturer and more of a person who wants us to learn. I’m sad to see you go, but I’m glad that people will still know your name long after I’m gone. I hope you enjoy your semi-retirement knowing that you’ve made people’s lives better (and don’t have to teach a bunch of children every weekday from 8-3).

Thank you for everything, Daniel Mangiarelli P.S. Keep an eye out for the geese. They’re up to something besides annoying you in the middle of class.

Dear Mrs. Dahle, Thank you for being a teacher that I can look forward to seeing every day. I appreciate all that you have done for me throughout my time at St. Francis since freshman year biology up until now. Giving me the student of the month award my freshman year and putting me in honors biology made me feel like someone believed in me. This caused me to keep pushing myself to do better and has led me to where I am today. I now have been accepted into multiple nursing programs of my choice, and I can confidently say that everything I have achieved was because of your influence on me. Never underestimate your influence on a student. Words can’t express how thankful I am to have been able to call you my teacher.

Sincerely, Parker Schuster Dear Mrs. Rupp, Thank you so much for all you do for the student body. You have provided countless students with support through difficult times, including me. I always felt a little bit better going into school knowing that there was someone I could go to when I was dealing with something. You (and the entire Guidance Department) are a source of comfort for many students, and I want to thank you for all of the hard work you do to advocate for us.

Thank you again for being incredibly supportive and understanding toward the students here, and thank you for helping a lot of people through tough situations.

Sincerely, Jupiter Beck

Dear Mr. Nelson, Throughout your time at St. Francis, you have not only taught and coached but exemplified what it means to become a well-rounded person. You have impacted many students for years, even including some of my family members. Although I never participated in track, I have heard about the positivity, historical success, and joy that the athletes speak of thanks to your efforts in bettering their lives not only as athletes but as young men and women. St. Francis is more than lucky to have your contributions, as you are a pivotal part of the St. Francis community. Personally, my friends and I have always enjoyed you as a teacher because of your upbeat personality and knowledge of physical education and life. So, thank you for giving your time and effort to me and my fellow peers because you have made us better people. I hope many future Spartans get to hear the good ol’ “hint hint, nudge nudge.”

Sincerely, Brad Dixon Dear Ms. Pak, I had the privilege of being one of your first students at St. Francis, and it was a journey for all of us. Not only are you excited about teaching us, but you are also a very progressive and forward-thinking teacher, and I feel as though you understand the students and connect with us. You empathize with us and are passionate about what you believe in. You allow your classroom to become the meeting place at the end of the day for many students as we reconvene to catch-up and have fun before heading home. I greatly appreciate that you possess a genuine interest in your students and their well-being. Please don’t stop being the kind, amazing, thoughtful, and wonderful person that you are. I am elated that I was able to be taught by you. Thank you for all that you have done for me and for others.

Best Regards, Anonymous Dear Mrs. O’Connor, I just want to thank you for your help during the four years I have been here and all of your hard work. You have truly helped me so much to just get through high school. You are such a light to others and always show people that you care about them and want to help them. All your wise words and encouragement have made my time here so much better. Even just stopping in when I’m bored during study hall has helped me so much. Thank you for always being an honest and kind soul. You are such an inspiration of how to be and how to treat others.

Thank you for all your hard work and you being you. You have truly helped me in so many ways and I just wanted to thank you for that.

Sincerely, Julia Turek Dear Mrs. Meadows, Thank you for everything that you do for our school! From being the first smiling face when we walk into school to checking people in, we are all so appreciative that you take your job so seriously. Our school truly wouldn’t be able to function without you. Thanks for everything!

Sincerely, The Senior Class

Dear Mr. Ernst, I look forward to your class every day. You are an amazing teacher. You always stay before or after school if I need help. You are so understanding when I’m having a bad day or if I’m missing assignments. You have always been a teacher who connects with the students, and we can always know that we are going to walk out of your room with smiles on our faces. You understand that we have lives outside of the classroom and always make accommodations for us. You are a fun and loving person and a teacher every student is lucky to have in their lives.

From, Monet Whelton Dear Father John, I wanted to say thank you for everything you have done for me here at St. Francis. I am so thankful for the friendship we have now. I really appreciate that you are an adult I can come to with anything, and you will always be there for me. I hope you know that I am someone that can reciprocate that and be here for you as well. I respect you so highly because you have stuck with St. Francis and all of us despite the hard times earlier this year. Without meeting you, I would not be where I stand now with God and my faith. You have provided so many opportunities for me, such as the March for Life and Men’s Faith and Honor. You pushing me to participate in these things has helped me to grow spiritually and will continue to help me more and more. I cannot stress enough how thankful I am that you do mass in the mornings and give us the opportunity to come to reconciliation every week. All that you do for me and others does not go unnoticed. It is really special to me how involved you are with me, my friends, and everyone at the school, and it really shows that you care. You are a gift to St. Francis and a gift to anyone that crosses paths with you in life. Thank you so much for everything you do and for always being you.

Your brother, Austin Baker Dear Profe Mantia, Thank you so much for being such an amazing Spanish teacher! Although our class did not have you as a teacher, we have heard lots of wonderful things about you and your classes. It’s so great how you always offer help on classwork and homework if your students need it. You will never hesitate to add comments that can help students on written assignments too! On quizzes, you always help your students review beforehand, and that is really appreciated! Anyone who has taken one of your classes knows that you can gain so much practical knowledge in Spanish-speaking from them! Students all love learning about Spanish culture in your classes, and you manage to make even speaking assessments fun. Your students have all genuinely learned so much from your class and are prepared for whatever skills they may need in the future! We know that all of your students will remember your class fondly! Thank you for being such a great teacher!

Gracias, The Senior Class Dear Mr. Sjobring, Thanks for sharing your musical talent with St. Francis! You have impacted so many young musicians through Orchestra and so many more by being a part of the Les Mis production this Spring! We can’t wait to see what next year brings for you and your orchestra class as well as future musical productions. Thanks again for everything!

From, The Senior Class

Dear Mrs. Ackerson, Thank you so much for all you've given to the school! The seniors appreciate the hard work you've put in to making the St. Francis community a place where we all feel connected to one another. Despite the unforeseen challenges, you have helped us have a fantastic SFHS experience!

Thanks, Maggie Gnorski Dear Mr. Quinn, I am so grateful to have gotten to know you over the past two years through National Honor Society. From planning out NHS meetings to giving updates to NHS members about what is happening in the school community, you have always been so helpful and have made NHS what it is! Not only have you helped to lead NHS Tutoring, but you have always been a great resource for students and have truly helped to shape my leadership and service skills, along with many others! Thank you so much for all you do, not only for NHS, but for the school as a whole!

Sincerely, Rinna Talwar Dear Ms. Roulo, Thank you for always being there for me since the first day of Freshman Homeroom all the way up to the last day of Senior French class. During my last four years of French, even though I may not be the best, I have learned so much about the language and culture. Experiences like the overly competitive Friday Blooket bon-bon days to Manie Musicale de Mars have helped me to grow not only in the French language, but personally as well. Thank you for all the wonderful memories over the past four years. I appreciate everything you have done for me over the last four years and will miss you very much.

Sincerely, Ella Davis Dear Sodexo Services, Thank you so much for all you do here at St. Francis. We look forward to lunch each day because we know that the food prepared will be amazing each time. We will miss you all next year!

Sincerely, The Senior Class Dear Mrs. Stumpf, Thank you so much for all that you do for our school community. We appreciate how much effort you put into making our school library a wonderful place to research, study, and learn more information. Whenever we had a research-based paper, we knew we could count on the library resources to access reliable information. We will miss you greatly next year.

Sincerely, The Senior Class

Hi Mrs. Buckley, I just wanted to take the time to thank you for all that you do for our school and our community. I especially wanted to thank you for helping me with my college searches and for sending out all the necessary paperwork needed. I know that it takes a long time because there are so many people in my class. You are so dedicated to your job, and I can see how much you love it. I am so thankful for you always being there to help or answer any questions I had. You have such a positive impact on our school, and everyone here truly appreciates it! Thank you again for your hard work and dedication to St. Francis.

Sincerely, Lauren Bruce Dear Mr. Burke, Transferring into St. Francis High School for my junior year, I was required to take two history classes. Luckily, both of these classes were taught by you. Your classes were a place for me where I could escape the stress of being the new kid and just enjoy the material you were teaching us. History became one of my favorite subjects, despite the fact that I hadn't taken it since middle school. History, as a subject, is known to be quite overwhelming and sometimes boring. However, the way you presented it and the specific topics that were chosen made the subject much more enjoyable for me. I really liked when you would apply your own stories and experiences to the material. This really made the class better than it already was. I hope you’re doing well and other students are appreciating you, unlike that 8th period U.S. History class from last year.

Sincerely, Ian Mrugala Dear Mrs. Wiborg, Thank you for everything you do for the growth of our community. Without you, people would be unaware of just how beautiful our community is. I personally was extremely impacted not only as a SALT member but also as a student in grade school trying to find some navigation for my future. You may not notice this, but you have a very large influence on the decisions of those you speak to when recruiting for the next class of Saint Francis.

Your wise words deliver the exciting idea of our community, and your smile gives the students a welcoming feeling in a time when they may feel anxious. Now that I am a senior and I have been in SALT for four years, I just wanted to thank you for letting me be a part of something that was so inspiring for me prior to Saint Francis.

Thank you, Tati Rendina Mr. Johnson, Taking your class has given me a unique experience that I would’ve never been able to have otherwise. I learned about many different skills that will help me with tech related problems and situations. I learned about installing drivers for new devices, how to take apart and build a computer, how the individual components work, and the many different devices and storage options we discussed during our lessons. I feel like I can speak for the class when I say that we all enjoyed the hours we spent with you, Mr. Johnson. Your unique personality and way of things made our days brighter. I will miss you and your class.

Thank you, Alex Fonseca

Dear Merc, From the first moment I met you, I was so inspired by you. When we worked on Kairos together, I enjoyed talking with you. You have a way of being so authentic and raw in your faith, which I admire. I remember the first time I talked to you in your office, and you were the kindest and most faith-filled woman I had ever met.

Merc, you have inspired me to become the best version of myself. Seeing you every Friday morning at SMT has shown me how connected you are to the students. You genuinely care about each one of us, which is so special.

You are one of the most amazing women in my life, and I can’t imagine the person I would have become if I had not found my place in SMT at Francis. You have supported me in ways you don’t even know. Merc, the countless hellos and smiles you give me in the hall over the past years have kept me going. The fact that your office is always open is such a blessing, and I know you are always there to talk. I’m so glad I have grown because of you and your support. Your Kairos talk also deeply impacted my faith and my life in its entirety. I am so thankful that I have gotten to know such an amazing woman and friend. I know that you will continue to impact many lives at St. Francis. There are so many things I wish I could thank you for, but there are no words to describe the impact you have had on my life. Thank you again for being a blessing!

Sincerely, Kellyn Halliday Dear Mr. O, I had one class with you all 4 years I've been at St. Francis. I have memories from that class that will last a lifetime. For example, one of my favorite high school moments ever was when you dropped a beaker on the floor to prove a point, and it shattered. You didn’t even try to be funny, but I would be dying of laughter at the simplest things you said. Another example is when you talked about Joe Crowley doing underground car races in his minivan. To this day, I still think about your class and the way you ran it, and I consider it one of my favorite classes of all time. I want to thank you for everything you’ve done for me and the school. Thank you for being yourself and making school less miserable.

Sincerely, Sammy Atkins To Mr. M, Mr. M, or should I say Bob. Thank you for everything. You're a great music teacher and a funny one too. When I go to college to take a band class, the teacher there—good or bad—will not be the same as you. I hope for you to have the most wonderful time at St. Francis without me. Carry on with the fist bumps, dude, and peace out.

From, Jean-Marie Valdez Dear Advancement Department, Thanks for everything you do for our school! Although we may not have you as teachers in our classes, we are still extremely grateful for all the work you put in to make our school run smoothly and efficiently. Without you, we would have no fundraisers, no auctions, and no fun events like Grandparents’ Day Mass; SFHS simply would not be the same! Once again, thanks for putting in so much work to make our four years so great!

From, The Senior Class

Dear Ms. Pratscher, We really enjoyed learning English from a different perspective in your class this year. We look forward to your class every day because you always find a way to make class entertaining for us, and we feel so comfortable in your classroom. Our favorite thing about your class is combining history and literature together to understand more of the context and meaning of the works. In-class activities, like the Macbeth quotes game, gave us a fun and competitive way to learn the material while thinking about it differently. Our favorite memory from your class was discussing what we read outside when the weather was nicer. We really appreciate how much you care for your students. Thank you for pushing back due dates so we are less stressed. Thank you for making your classroom a welcoming environment for us to ask questions and to share our opinions. We have learned so much from you that we know we will use in our college classes. We will miss you!

Thank You! Leah Gaul and London Brown Dear Mrs. Nina Schroder, These last four years of choir class have been my favorite 42 minutes. Thank you so much for being such a great teacher who helped turn me into the singer I am today. From being in Concert Choir, to Swing Choir, to Spartan Singers, I have learned so much from you. I am so excited to continue music in college. I’m so happy that I have learned to grow into a better musician because of you.

Sincerely, Kat McGowan Dear Mrs. Ston, I’ve never had you for a class, but I’ve known you for most of my life. I first met you, like Kyle, in kindergarten.

Since then, I’ve developed a very strong friendship with Kyle, and he’s now one of my best friends. Thank you for always letting us hangout, because if you never did, then our friendship would not be what it is today. Bringing him to St. Mikes was a great choice, otherwise I would not have met him until freshman year, and I honestly can’t say that our friendship would be anything near what it is now. I always enjoy our conversations whenever I’m over at the Ston household. Thank you for bringing a great friend into my life.

Sincerely, Chris Covone Dear Sarah and Taeopae, I just wanted to thank you both for all the amazing things you do for us students at SFHS. You guys have helped so many athletes at this school, including me. You always want what’s best for the athletes and always put us first. Freshman year when I had my concussion you guys were so helpful and supportive, and I know that many others can relate to me when I say that. Not only are you guys amazing at what you do, but you both have such kind hearts and friendly personalities. It is always so easy to talk to you guys. Whenever I see you both, you guys always have smiles on your faces and spread so much positivity to everyone you are around. It has been amazing getting to know you guys over the past 4 years, and I will definitely miss you both next year!

Love, Grace Bucaro

Dear Ms. Wen, Thank you so much for being such a fantastic programming teacher. You’ve really spurred my interest in computer science, and you continue to interest me in new information. I sincerely have loved having you teach me programming for the last 2 years. Thank you for letting me into the AP Computer Science class. That class has really enhanced my knowledge of Computer Science and made me want to keep pursuing Computer Science in college. You’ve been really important in helping me find this passion. I hope that I am able to absorb as much knowledge of computer coding from you as I can in this last quarter of my high school career. Thank you so much for your positive influence on my life.

From, Mason Groblewski Dear Ms. Vogel, Thank you so much for being such a great APUSH teacher this year! We did not have you as a teacher this year, but we have heard great things about you! Your class was a great way to be introduced to AP classes for the first time because your students were exposed to the workload of a college level class while also having opportunities to keep their grades up. It was really appreciated how all of the work this year really helped the students to be prepared for the AP test this May. You bring so much enthusiasm to the classroom, and it’s really cool that you were able to teach some of the hardest AP material out there. This class is a difficult one, but your students are all so grateful to have you as their teacher! Thank you so much for tackling both the sophomore class and AP material as a first-year teacher because that’s not easy! We hope that you have an amazing summer, and thank you for everything!

Love, The Senior Class Dear Mrs. Dougherty, Thank you for everything that you do here at St. Francis High School. Before I even took your class, my mom used to tell stories about how you were a part of her 4th grade class when she started teaching. She always said what an amazing student you were and how you made her job easier because she was just out of college. The Thanksgiving recipe project that I showed you this year was always her favorite to look back at, and I hope you enjoyed seeing them too. I really enjoyed taking your class because you challenged me to reflect on my faith in a lot of different ways. Your writing assignments gave me an outlet to creatively express my thoughts and questions surrounding religious topics covered in class. You allowed me to grow as an individual and as a student, and I appreciate all of the opportunities you gave me to express the thoughts that I had. Thank you for all the work that you put into the homecoming celebrations this year. I know this wasn’t an easy task to accomplish during a pandemic. I really enjoyed being on court this year. Thank you for being an easy person to talk to whenever I had questions about the service and volunteer work for the National Honors Society. I appreciate you working with me to make sure that I met all of the necessary requirements for each year. I really appreciate everything that you have helped me with over the years, and I’ll miss taking your classes. I wish you all the best for years to come.

All the best, Guy DeFeo

Dear Ms. Huhn, Thank you so much for your hard work and dedication to St. Francis and its students. You have never failed to offer me a kind smile in the hallways or ask me how I’m doing, and it means so much to me. The student body and I appreciate all that you do for us and are so thankful to have you as part of the school’s administration.

Sincerely, Emery Carlson Dear Profe, I just wanted to thank you for all that you’ve done for me as a teacher this year. You’re the best Spanish teacher I’ve ever had at Saint Francis. You’re understanding, encouraging, and always open to answer any questions I have. Your class has improved my Spanish immensely. It’s such a great learning environment, and I enjoy the class so much. “Ja Ja Jueves” is my favorite day of the week. If I’m having a bad day, I know that Spanish class can help cheer me up. All your students appreciate all the hard work you put into your classes. You’ve helped me more than you know, and I’ll never forget what a great Spanish teacher I had 3rd period, every day. Gracias por todo!

From, Nora Shannon Dear Mrs. Dannheim, Thank you for everything you do for the school. I really appreciate your dedication to organizing SALT and Culinary Club events. I cannot imagine how complex and complicated it is to organize future Spartans. I always love to see you in the morning before and after announcements. Your positivity and welcoming nature do not go unnoticed. You always brighten my day when I see you! I will miss you so much next year, thank you for the past four years!

Thank you, Izzy Naling Dear Ms. Fairhead, You are such an amazing teacher, and it is so awesome how you always brought so much positivity to the classroom. You were a great teacher for freshmen because your class allows students to improve their writing and grammar skills in a low-stress environment. The pop culture references that you brought to class made the lessons so much fun. It is super appreciated how you always offered to edit essays ahead of time too! In terms of student government, it is really great how informative and concise the meetings with you were throughout the year. All of the students who have had you as a teacher are extremely grateful for all the skills you taught us during freshman year English. Your lessons are incredibly useful, and we all think back to them for guidance, even when we don’t realize we’re doing it! Thank you for being such an awesome teacher!

Love, The Senior Class

Dear Mrs. Abbott, Thank you for everything you do for St. Francis. You are a great teacher, and I appreciate how helpful and thoughtful you have been in class. You not only teach how to do the math, but you also connect the class material to real-life applications, which I find incredibly interesting and useful. Thank you for also taking the time to coach Math Team. Since coming to St. Francis, I have had a great time practicing with the team and winning competitions. None of this would be possible without you. I am very grateful for all that you have done for me, and I know you will continue to help students in the future.

Sincerely, Zack Senall Dear Mrs. Boden, First and foremost, thank you for your efforts to better my academic career and the careers of my peers. St. Francis greatly appreciates your efforts toward the betterment of the community setting. You inspire me to strive for my best, both within the classroom and in the real world. I admire you for your encouragement to help me develop my full potential while at the same time embracing my strengths. The skill that I improved most in your class was my communication skills. One of the areas you placed high importance on was the communicative element of Spanish. Through your help, my fellow students and I excelled in our communication within the classroom. Aside from the practical application of communication, I understood ways to help me improve these skills within Spanish and even today when I talk amongst my peers. For all the years that I have taken Spanish, you have been one of the most influential teachers in my career. You also shared your knowledge of Latin American cultures and inspired my classmates and me to think more globally and appreciate cultural differences. Within the future, I will look to find ways to become more involved in impoverished communities in Latin America that do not have access to medicine. Again, thank you for playing an essential role in shaping my academic career. With your positive influence and moral guidance, the St. Francis community and I will continue to value the example you create for your students.

With gratitude, Brooke Hartzell Dear Mrs. Favero, Thank you for being such an amazing teacher. You are so passionate about teaching, and that is shown through your desire to see your students succeed. Your encouragement, compassion, and support are unmatched, and you will be the teacher that students remember for the rest of their lives. Thank you for making your classroom a place where students can individually grow to be the best versions of themselves. You have touched the lives of so many students, and that will never be forgotten. You are one of a kind. Thank you for everything!

Sincerely, Cece Mase Dear Mrs. LeBeau, Thank you so much for being the desk lady :). I do not know every detail of your job, but I am sure there is so much that you do that goes unknown. For that, I have the utmost respect for you. It takes a lot of dedication to do what you do. Also, I think your last name is super cool. Thank you for brightening my day every day. I truly appreciate it. I wish you the best of luck with life!

Sincerely, Andrew J. Sommers (your favorite office aid)

Dear Mrs. Fermoyle, Thank you for teaching me junior year in your physics class. I truly enjoyed every moment of it. I was fascinated by the materials we covered. The way you taught the class made me ecstatic to come in every day and learn (especially the lightning lessons, get it?). There was not a dull moment when I walked into that classroom, and I appreciated that you were helpful and taught me in a way that I understood. You are such a fun character to be around because as soon as I thought I knew the gist of what your personality was, you said you own a motorcycle and ride it around but that you’re also in a knitting club. I will never forget about what I learned in that class, and I’m glad I got to spend it with such a wonderful teacher.

Sincerely, Emanuel Sanchez Dear Mr. Gerdeman, When I first met you, Mr. Gerdeman, it was in I.T., and I’ve got to be honest, I was pretty scared at first. People had been telling me about the guy in I.T. who will go crazy if you ask him to fix something, but I’ve never really seen that kind of guy. Having you as a teacher has been really fun, and it’s nice to have really gotten to know you.

Whether it’s just talking about some random thing or you telling us one of your stories...WHICH I DO ENJOY LISTENING TO, EVEN THOUGH YOU THINK I DON’T! I really do enjoy your class because it’s informative, and it is also very laid back, like you are. I’m very thankful for having you as a teacher.

Sincerely, Cameron Hall Dear K Ras, Thank you for everything you have done for me and all of your students. I only had you as my teacher for one semester, but you were so welcoming and engaged with all of us that I feel that I was able to build a strong relationship with you over that short period of time. You are so welcoming in every way, from standing outside your classroom greeting us as we come into class to listening to our life problems at the beginning of class no matter how crazy they are. You understand us in a way not many teachers can, and it shows in the respect you get as a teacher. I think I can speak for everyone when saying we always look forward to your class. You let us learn at our own pace and allow us the freedom to choose what to work on during class time. Thank you for being so open and for hearing us out in all aspects of life aside from just school.

From, Will Ricamato Dear Mr. Reist, You were my teacher for my Geography class during my junior year of high school. While I only had you for one semester, I have many memories with you. One of my favorite memories was playing the game Risk. Playing this game showed that you taught your students in very effective and clever ways. Another engaging method you used to make the students more excited for quizzes was to create a competition between the Covid cohorts.

We had a challenge to throw our highlighters into a box from where we were sitting. At the end of the year, whichever cohort made the most highlighters in the box got extra credit. My biggest takeaway from your class was how good you were at engaging with students and keeping us focused.

Thank you, Freddie Greco

Querida señorita Salpekar, Gracias por ser motivacidor, inspirador y, lo más importante, educativo. Durante mis dos años en tu aula, aprendí sobre los lugares y las personas que han influencido mi desarrollo del español. En el primero día, es obvio que aprovechaste al máximo tus estudios en el extranjero en España a través de tu exhibición de competencia en español. La competencia es frecuente durante todas sus clases independientemente de las interrupciones y los días malos. Tu siempre tienes nuestros interesantes al centro de tu corazón todos los días.

Sin tu influencia, No me habría convertido en el hablante de español competente que soy hoy.

Tu estudiante favorito, Liam Galbraith Dear Mr. Martens, Thank you for joining our IT department and working to make the school a better place! You are always so helpful and do your best to solve any problems we may have with technology around the school. Without you, we would have a school full of broken computers, lost Surface pens, and technologically confused high schoolers.

Thanks for everything!

From, The Senior Class Hi Mrs. Doane, I just wanted to thank you for teaching me Photoshop, which ending up resulting in me using my abilities for evil and creating many MANY cursed images. But seriously, you were super fun and I’m so happy I got to take a class with you. I know so many people who literally adore you just because you’re like the best person ever. My favorite memory is still how I sent you a fancy Medieval Times invitation to let Anna come sleepover, and you gave me the same energy back. You are one of the best teachers I have ever had, and I’m still mad I didn’t end up taking a class with you this semester.

P.S I DON’T KNOW IF YOU WILL GET THIS BEFORE OR AFTER THE DISNEY TRIP, BUT I’M SO EXCITED THAT YOU’RE MY LEADER AND I HOPE WE HAVE A SNAZZY AMAZING TIME!!!

Love, Frida Romero Dear Mrs. Beelow, Thank you for your dedication to moderating Evergreen Club and in teaching Biology! I know freshmen can’t be easy (I certainly wasn’t), but you’ve handled it wonderfully and taken all of it in stride. Being a part of Evergreen Club had been super fun, and it has instilled in me a passion for environmental conservation that I plan to take with me to college and beyond. Thank you for your tireless work in the St. Francis community, and I hope you know how appreciated you are!

P.S. your bangs look great : ) Sincerely, Chloe Totman

Dear Mrs. Robin Schroeder, The American Psychology Association finds that positive student-teacher relationships benefit students’ longterm mental health and self-esteem. I lucked out, all things considered, for I have had incredible teachers at SFHS, and you are no exception. You are an amazing teacher, and you were my first real introduction to Psychology. I’ve had a long history of therapy due to mental health problems, and learning psychology not only fascinated me, but it explained to me the many things that have challenged me (mental health wise.)

Psychology is fascinating, and I even found enjoyment in the tests, something that usually stresses me out. It’s one unparalleled accomplishment to be such a good teacher that you get your students to enjoy taking the tests because they want to keep learning.

I am going into Psychology for college because I want to go into therapy and child psychology in the future. I have you to thank because you showed me how fascinating the human brain is. I see God in teachers like you, for your compassion and patience are astounding qualities. Being a teacher isn’t easy, and being a high school teacher is probably the hardest. However, you embrace the role with such vigor and determination that is truly inspiring. Students are inspired by you, and you have guided many students (myself included) to discover their passions.

Thank you so much for all the amazing things you have done for me and for all the other students at SFHS. God bless you and all that you do! I hope you find love and joy in what you do, for you certainly spread those qualities to others!

Sincerely, Maeve Kiley Dear Mrs. Blake, On behalf of the Class of 2022, we would like to thank you for all that you have done. Your ability to create a welcoming atmosphere is an admirable quality that we are all extremely grateful for. We are all incredibly appreciative that we were able to connect with you throughout our time at St. Francis. Even during stressful times, you were able to mentor and provide all of us with guidance for us to succeed. As we graduate and say goodbye, our memories with you will be a gift we will all cherish deeply. Thank you.

Sincerely, Preston Schuster Dear Mrs. Holinger, I just want to thank you for these past four years at St. Francis. Over the years, my love for art has grown exponentially, and I am now potentially finding a career in it. I credit you for this. You have made art a relaxing and calm experience for your students, rather than a chore, and that has really inspired me. I honestly put the most effort into your class, as opposed to others. I feel the fullest after a class with you and mostly because you’re the teacher. Art has a deeper meaning, and it feels more methodical in your class. I regret not taking it earlier because I really wanted to take AP. No matter what, I am thankful for how you and your class have made me feel.

It really has given me a different perspective on learning as a whole and how school can be fun with a supportive teacher. I firmly believe that there should be more teachers like yourself, who inspire creativity and freedom, instead of a one-answer type of deal. School makes me feel drained and bored, but during 7th period, I always feel the opposite. Please keep being who you are because the way you teach art affects many students much deeper than you know. Thank you, and on behalf of the St. Francis student body, we love you.

Sincerely, Alex Guha

Dear Dean Holleman (aka Deano), On behalf of myself and the rest of the student body, thank you for being the greatest Dean of all time. Whether it’s your Instagram posts keeping us up-to-date on the likelihood of a snow day, your classic “teachers, please pardon the interruption” announcements, or just being able to talk to you in the halls, you’re somebody we can all go to as students. I am particularly grateful for your support of the Blue Crew this year and how you let me and Jack come into the office to make announcements whenever we needed to. Thank you for all the hard work you do for the school!

Sincerely, Sean Killian Dear Dr. B, As my senior year is nearing a close, I would like to thank you for being a great teacher in my AP Statistics class two years ago. Although our year ended shortly due to Covid in 2020, I always enjoyed your class. It is evident that you enjoy teaching, and you show it well to the students. One thing I always enjoyed about your class was that you tried to make the class fun by giving us M&Ms or Skittles during the Statistics examples. I liked this because it helped keep the class engaged, and you let us eat the candy afterwards. In addition, I liked that you were not a super strict rule-enforcer. By this, you allowed us to work together with our classmates and enjoy our time in class. This helps a class run smoothly because we can have fun and learn at the same time. Many of my fellow classmates and I are inspired by you teaching students at your age, even though you do not have to.

Nowadays, people will do anything to retire as soon as they can. Ultimately, I would like you to know everyone in the school only talks positively about you as being one of the nicest teachers. Even though many people do not enjoy math class, everyone liked it when you were the teacher. Overall, thank you for being a great teacher, and I hope all stays well!

Sincerely, Anthony Matz Dear Mrs. I, A “Thank you” is not enough to express my gratitude even slightly toward you. I appreciate you and everything you have done for St. Francis and for me. You are a fantastic role model to everyone at this school. You inspire me to think positively no matter what the day holds. I remember you coming to St. Petronille and giving such a unique presentation from all the other schools. You made St. Francis the talk of 8th grade. The thing I love most about you is your confidence and bright energy. Every time I see you pass through the halls, you are either smiling or laughing. I am so impressed that you can make every day look like it’s your best day. On top of that, you are so easy to talk to; it is like I can speak to you about anything and the conversation never gets old. My SALT experience with you has also taught me to know my audience. I learned to find the interests of other people and not just myself. I honestly can learn about so many future Spartans and what gifts they can bring to St. Francis. In fact, every single shadow I have had has said how outgoing you are when they first meet you. I am so happy I can write you this letter because I want you to know how amazing you are and how many people you inspire. Because you make St. Francis a home, I am proud to wear blue and white.

Love, Bryn Carroll

Dear Mrs. McCarthy, I just wanted to write you a letter to say thank you! Thank you for taking on the challenge of teaching Algebra Concepts and Application for the first year. Having you as a teacher is one of the things I am most thankful for at St. Francis; you truly changed my outlook on math. Before taking your class, I absolutely hated math. It was the subject I dreaded going to every single day, but after having your class, math soon became the class that I looked forward to. I went from knowing nothing about math and always being stressed about math class to being happy about going to math. I think a big part of that was having you as a teacher!

You are one of the best teachers I have ever had. You were so excited to teach us about math, even during first period when no one had energy. Your bright, bubbly personality made math such an enjoyable time. I hope that when I become a teacher, I am able to be half of the teacher you are! Thank you for always being amazing!

Sincerely, Sarah Riepe Dear Mrs. Stiefel, I am truly honored to have had you as a teacher. Collectively, I have spent a school year and a half with you.

Each day, you radiate positive energy throughout the classroom and building. You set a splendid example for other staff around the building. Day in and out, you do your job diligently, leaving students feeling educated and relaxed under your care. I have never once been disappointed or stressed entering your classroom, and I thank you for that. You are one of the most understanding teachers I have ever had.

Sincerely, Gina Christopher Dear Mrs. Lembas, When I came to St. Francis, you were my first math teacher, and to be honest, I was a little scared. As the weeks went by, I got more comfortable in your class because of your jokes, the songs you sang, and your positive teaching attitude. The more I was in your class, the better my grades got because you taught me that paying attention in class pays off on test day. When I saw my junior year schedule, I was excited to have you for another year. Something that I learned junior year was to not copy the review keys and to do the review myself. I continue to remind myself of that before every test, and I believe that it has helped me tremendously on tests and quizzes. Thank you, Mrs. Lembas, for everything you have done for me. I think that you have helped me to become the student and person I am as I head into the future.

Sincerely, Kory Carlson Dear Mrs. Kazlauskas, Hi, how are you? I hope you are well. I miss having classes with you. Thanks for making Spanish fun. Although I hated speaking at the podium in front, I still miss and enjoyed that class. Singing was fun, and thinking about projects like the restaurant skit brings back memories of when I was a child and played restaurant. I would always be the server talking to my customer (my sister). Having you as my teacher was awesome. I loved your class and how I could relax and have fun during it. Hope to see you again soon.

Sincerely, Celesta Irawan

Hello Mr. Tagler, I chose to write to you, Mr. Tagler, because you have been a favorite teacher of mine at St. Francis High School.

I always enjoy our conversations in class for economics and law, and I wish I was in more of your classes. I want to hear what you thought about the Super Bowl, since I am no longer in your class and enjoyed our talks about football. I would also like to hear what you think about the Chicago Bears, including all the new hires on the team and how you think they will do next season. My guess for the Bears record next season—seeing the teams that we are set to play next season—I believe we will win the NFC North as long as Rodgers leaves Green Bay and we go 11-6.

Lastly, I would like to say that I hope you and your family have been well and safe with the new changes to the COVID-19 mask rules.

I hope to hear from you sometime, Mr. Tagler.

Sincerely, Kyle Lenski Dear Mr. Schuller, I want to say thank you for your class. Though it may seem like some days I was not paying attention, I truly was.

I learned so much from you. I may not have learned any formulas, but I learned more about life and God than I have in any other religion class. I learned more in your class in one year than all the other religion classes I have taken since kindergarten. You showed me new ways to look at the world. You showed me things about God and His creation that I had not thought of before. You showed me God in our world.

Your class felt like more than just another period. It was the one class I looked forward to in my junior year. I was always excited to see what we would learn and talk about each day. I had the most fun in your class. It inspired me. I truly felt changed with my relationship with God through your class.

Your stories inspired me. Your stories of giving back to the homeless while you were in Chicago made me want to give back even more. Your stories about your child made me more grateful for the family I have. And there is so much more. You are more than a teacher. You are a role model.

I am not good with letters like these. I never seem to know what to say. I just want you to know I’m thankful for everything. I’ve never met a teacher like you. A teacher who has lessons that go beyond facts. A teacher who can correlate their lessons into the lives of their students. A teacher who can connect with their students on a new level. A teacher who wants to be involved in their student’s lives. A teacher who truly cares for their students.

There is a reason that everyone loves you.

Love, Gwen Locascio Dear Mr. Darin and the Business Office, We just wanted to extend our thanks for all that you do. We know that you are the reason for so many of the great things that our school has done for us, including the simple things like keeping the lights on to the more indepth things like providing us with a football field once again. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for all your hard work!

Sincerely, The Senior Class

Dear Ms. Kadow, Thank you for being the best homeroom teacher a student could ask for. Thank you for all that you have done over the past four years for me and the rest of the senior class. Thank you for being someone that I can look forward to seeing every morning in homeroom. I always knew that a welcoming smile and a “good morning” would be waiting for me as I walked into homeroom. Even on the rough mornings when it was gloomy, rainy, and no one wanted to come to school, you would always be there with a genuine smile and a warm welcome. I am so thankful for all your help throughout high school, like giving our homeroom information through tips and tricks on how to get through high school. I will always remember you giving us the finals care packages and how sweet that was. I love how you gave us candy for energy and pencils so that we could never say that we forgot one. Also, you would give us information on upcoming events. There wasn’t a day we weren’t caught up to speed on all the amazing events St. Francis has to offer. A favorite memory from our homeroom will always be High Five Fridays. They were a highlight of the week and a good pick-me-up after a long, hard week. Thank you again for everything over the past four years!

Thank you so much, Avery Bonk Dear Mr. Haberman, I wanted to say thank you for being a great teacher and coach. I learned a lot both in the classroom and on the court. I appreciate your introducing me to Spartan basketball and helping us take the first step toward our goal of winning state. I will always remember freshman basketball and all the fun memories I made from it. Thank you again for everything.

Sincerely, Colin Kiesler Mr. Page, Although I had only one class with you as teacher, I still received many words of wisdom from you. You’ve given me so much information on Christian history and good insights for the world around me. Your positivity and unwavering happiness make you such a likeable and relatable person. Thank you for giving me so many special moments in your class, and thank you for being a great teacher.

Sincerely, Tony Bartsch Dear Coach McMillen, Thank you for being such a role model in my life. Thank you for making my football career so memorable and educational. You have taught so many kids what hard work really is. You have always held us accountable to be respectable young men. I will never forget the memories we have, and I will miss football more than ever next year. You have and will always be there for the kids on your team, and you have such a big heart. I know that I can always come to you for anything I ever need. Thank you for everything you do for St. Francis Football and this school—you put so much hard work into everything you do. THANK YOU! From, Ryan Shannon

Dear Dr. Juliano, I just wanted to say thank you for everything you have ever done for me. I know I don’t talk a lot during class, but I am truly thankful for having you as a teacher. When I was struggling my junior year, you were able to take time out of your own day to help me, and I am thankful that my grades showed how much you helped. I went from failing the class to getting an 88 on the final, and I could not have been happier about that. Not only were you able to help me junior year, but you even went out of your way to make sure I was in your Intro to Engineering class.

The class was so much fun. I was happy to be a part of it and to also have you as my teacher again for one more semester. I will always remember the kindness you showed me when I needed help because without you, I don’t think I would have been able to pass the class.

So once again, thank you for everything you have done and for being not only an amazing teacher, but a kind and brilliant person as well.

Sincerely, Jimmy Marre Dear Mr. Lewis, Thank you so much for everything you do for our school and the student body. Many have not had the opportunity to get to know you, but I was lucky enough to work alongside you and to get to know you throughout the four years I have attended St. Francis. You are one of the most hardworking people I know. From extravagant theatre productions to school dances, you have always had a role in ensuring that everything was running smoothly on the tech side of things.

The creativity and drive you bring to St. Francis inspire many, and the energy you share with the students you work with is contagious. You devote so much of your own time to St. Francis, whether that is staying until midnight working on a theater production or getting up early to set up school mass. On behalf of all the students at St. Francis, thank you so much for what you do and have done for our school. Know that your hard work and dedication do not go unnoticed, and we are so happy that you are a part of the St. Francis community.

Sincerely, Ryan Bledsoe Dear Mr. Lorenz, You are one of the teachers I will remember the most from my time at St. Francis. You made my freshman year gym class one of the most memorable classes that Emily Lo, Skylar Eberle, and I still talk about to this day. You made every day fun, and you respected us as students and people.

Thank you for being so kind and always saying hello to me in the halls throughout my years at school. You are a great teacher and person, and I hope for great things to come for you!

From, Sadie Racky

Dear Mr. Hardwick, On behalf of the seniors in the St. Francis Class of 2022, we would like to thank you for everything you do!

While we get to interact with you at our athletic events in the student section and see you in the halls at school, we also know that you do a ton of work behind the scenes to make our seasons possible. Making schedules, attending meetings, and working to give our athletes and students the best experiences possible are all things we are extremely grateful for, and your hard work does not go unnoticed. Additionally, thank you for working with our Blue Crew this year to make the most of our first full year back from the pandemic and for letting us make countless memories. The “Splash Zone” at this year’s football games, winning the girls’ volleyball regional in an away match, bringing out a huge student section to the basketball game against Benet, and the arrangement of fan buses bringing a sea of blue to the basketball Super-Sectional game following a huge Sectional win are just a few of the amazing memories our class, and the rest of the school, had the opportunity to experience this school year. Lastly, thank you for teaching us lessons that go far beyond high school athletics. You have encouraged us to support our classmates and their teams as they compete in their respective sports and additionally, you have taught us the importance of doing this with class and conducting ourselves in a respectful manner. In the heat of the game when tensions run high, we have learned to control ourselves and display sportsmanship both while we’re playing and watching the game. Again, thank you for everything you do for our school community. This year has been extremely memorable, and we want to recognize your contributions to this year!

Sincerely, Tommy Bratthauar and the Class of 2022 Hi Mrs. Lynch, I wanted to thank you for not only being such a great math teacher but also a great role model for me as well.

I was beyond lucky to have you as my first ever math teacher at St. Francis for Honors Geometry my freshman year, but I was even luckier to have you again for AP Stats my junior year. You were always so encouraging and willing to answer my questions, and it is truly evident that you care for each and every one of your students. I always felt comfortable as I walked into your classroom, and you created such a welcoming space. You inspire me every day, and I am amazed by the kindness and thoughtfulness that you show to everyone. Your positive outlook and attitude as well as your comforting smile have really encouraged me to display the same traits that you do every day. Thank you for being such a great teacher, thank you for helping me learn to be confident in my mathematic abilities again, and most importantly, thank you for being such a positive influence for me in my time at St. Francis.

Sincerely, Claire Reinke Dear Mr. Lynch, I would like to reach out to you on behalf of the students about my experiences in your class. I would like to thank you for sharing your vast outreach of knowledge with your students. I know for a fact that myself and other students have nothing but the largest respect possible for you. Thank you for teaching us about the business world and inspiring many students to follow the same path that you followed. I will continue to think about who inspired me to take the path that I am taking, and I assure you I will use your teachings to the best of my ability.

Sincerely, Ryan Calcagno

Dear Mr. Kloss, Thank you. I know I only had you as a teacher junior year, but that was one of the best gym classes I have ever had. I have never been very fond of gym class, especially in high school, but junior year was a blast. I loved how you focused less on tests and quizzes and more on just letting us run around and be athletic. Compared to my current gym class, I took last year for granted.

Besides class, thank you for everything else. You are one of the few teachers who sympathizes with our age group.

While some individuals, not naming names, think we are actually fighting or ‘bullying’, you understand that it is just us being idiots. I think that is the main reason why so many people in the school respect you other than the fact you are a nice guy.

Just thought I would mention that I have also learned something pretty valuable from you, Mr. Kloss. During lunch, people ask you your opinions on certain controversial issues or topics to which you respond with, “no comment.” I think this is super mature and interesting because I know many ‘mature adults’ that would hop right on the controversial train and start pointless confrontation. You do not start pointless confrontation, and I respect it. I think that is something I should definitely take with me to college.

As talked about during my lunch period, you should have been expecting this letter, and I hope it maybe brought a smile to your face. Either way, you made it through the whole thing so… cool! I hope the rest of your year is a good year, and I hope you have a nice summer; I know the school will be a different place with my grade gone.

From, Nik Rowlan Dear Mr. Lindley, Thank you so much for all your help over the last two years. You always know how to help me and answer all of my questions. You keep me and my classmates on task by preparing us for our future, and I thank you so much for taking time out of your day to help us. You even deal with my last-minute schedule changes that I know are not ideal. I want to especially thank you for your help this year preparing me for college. Being the oldest in my family, we have never gone through the college application process, and your guidance helped tremendously.

From career planning, college application, and just answering questions, you have made applying for colleges so much easier and more relaxing. With your help, I was able to get into my dream college and dream program, so thank you. Every little thing you have done for me and my peers has helped us all greatly. I am glad St. Francis has counselors like you supporting their students every day. Thank you for everything!

Sincerely, Emily Lo Dear Mr. Zlatic, Thank you so much for everything you do for this school! You are such a large part of the St. Francis support system and the religion department. The religion department always knows how to cheer me up and are so fun to talk to. Religion classes are such an important part of the St. Francis experience. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and helping others strength their faith and with their faith journey. You have done so much for the students at St. Francis. As I leave this school, the religion classes I have taken will stay with me forever and will help me in life. Thank you so much!!

Sincerely, Sarah Grivetti ‘22

Dear Ms. Wall, Thank you for being an amazing math teacher. Thank you for going out of your way to help students be successful in math. Thank you for being a good listener for your students’ wants and needs. In class, you are attentive and notice right away when a student needs help. You do a good job explaining each step of a math equation. You are a kind teacher that is always there for your students no matter what time of day. Lastly, you go above and beyond to make sure each of your students achieve their goals in your class.

Sincerely, Savannah Rolston Dear Nurse Schmidt, Thank you so much for everything you do for this school! The senior class thanks you for the endless help and support you have provided for us throughout ours and your experiences at St. Francis. Kairos was such a wonderful time in which I was able to grow in my relationships with others and my faith and I am so happy I could experience it with you. Not only are you the school nurse that helps students every day, but you are also a wonderful parent supporter of this school. You are such a large part of the support system at St. Francis and it would not be like it is without you. Thank you so much for your help dealing with COVID the past couple years at our school. you have helped St. Francis grow to be a healthy place where our minds and our relationships can grow and flourish. Thank you so much!!

Sincerely, Sarah Grivetti ‘22 Dear Mrs. Kowalski, I wanted to take the time to write this letter to you to say thank you. I know I told you this already, but you are the reason I found the major I want to pursue. However, I didn’t explain why. I did not make the smartest choices during my junior year when deciding what career I wanted to go into. My first idea was marine biology, but that wasn’t smart because I have a deathly fear of the ocean. I also considered being a nurse, even though I hate biology and can’t stand the sight of blood. I had so many other ideas but never really committed to one. I went into your sociology classroom thinking that maybe nursing would be my career, and maybe I would start to love biology and get over my dislike of blood. I sat down content with the idea of being a nurse, and you screwed up my whole plan in a good way! I started to learn about the world around me, and I was mad at the way children were being treated and how our system has failed so many young people. I started looking into jobs and careers where I could make a difference, help get kids started on the right path, and help them find the life they want without being abandoned. I stumbled on Social Work, mainly with foster care. I realized that I wanted to help the kids that haven’t been dealt the easiest cards in life. You helped me realize that, so thank you. Your classes are some of my favorite classes because you treat me and my fellow classmates like adults. You don’t sugar coat the world around us; you give us the facts, let us process them ourselves, then give us the space to express our opinions. Your class has given me more than just my future. It has also given me confidence.

Thank you so much Mrs. Kowalski, for everything. I am really going to miss you and your class when I go off to whatever university I attend, but know that I will cherish all the amazing lessons you have taught me. P.S. I am not the best at poetry, so excuse the really bad rhyming.

Sincerely, Jessica Mayor

STAFF CONTRIBUTORS Mr. Matthew Ernst (Moderator) Ella Champagne ‘23 (Editor-in-Chief) Monica Szalek ‘23 (Assistant Editor) Maeve Kiley ‘22 (Writing Editor) Abbie Lopez ‘23 (Tech Editor) Isabella Zielinski ‘23 (Contributor) Elise Ward ‘23 (Contributor) Elleson Connelly ‘24 (Contributor, Editor) Special shout out to the rest of the newspaper staff for their vigilant and much appreciated contributions: Hannah Blaha ‘23, Izzy Chowaniec ‘24, Sammie Cody ‘24, Hannah Gaul ‘24, Amanda Gierek ‘24, Emmy Hollarbush ‘24, Lucy Jania ‘24, Diya Khatau ‘25, Sarah Kuchler ‘23, Spencer McFarlane ‘24, Camden Mehring ‘23, Hailey Poziombka ‘23, Christella Reyes ‘23, Lara Risdon ‘24, Lucas Sheahin ‘24, Cody Smith ‘23, Elizabeth Szalek ‘25, Kyra Thomas ‘24, and Alicia Witt ‘24 A SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL OUR SENIOR GUEST CONTRIBUTORS! YOUR LETTERS WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED BY THEIR READERS!