‘Amor y Paz’

FAIRFIELD — Chautauqua Park was full of people Saturday wearing pink shirts that read “Amor y Paz” on the back.

The phrase was one of the mottos of Fairfield High School Spanish teacher Nohema Graber, who died on Nov. 2, 2021 in what state prosecutors believe was a homicide. To honor the memory of their former teacher, the senior members of the FHS Student Council organized a “Walk for Nohema” Saturday, what they hope will be an annual tradition. Money raised from the walk will go toward a scholarship in Graber’s name.

Delaney Breen was one of the seven senior Student Council members who planned the event. At the end of the walk, she presented a special gift to Graber’s husband, Paul. Breen had painted a picture of a candle bearing a purple flame. Paul was deeply touched by the gift, because he knew its significance.

Paul recalled that day in November when he learned that law enforcement had discovered a body in Chautauqua Park a day after Nohema had gone missing.

“I was distraught,” Paul said.

Depressed and unable to sleep, Paul lit a candle in his bedroom next to a picture of Nohema. It was a tall green candle he had lit many times, but on this night it emitted a lavender flame, something it had never done before or since.

“I prayed for a sign, and I believe this flame was a message that she was OK,” Paul said. “I sat on the edge of the bed watching it for half an hour.”

Finally, Paul blew out the candle because he was tired. He was able to fall asleep, and the next morning he felt less depressed because, “I had hope in my heart. I knew she wanted us to go on.”

Student Council members met with Paul on March 1 to see if he supported the idea of holding a walk to honor Nohema. That’s when he shared with the committee the story of the purple flame. That story stuck with Delaney Breen, and inspired her to paint a picture of a candle bearing a purple flame.

“I thought it would be a nice thing to give him because it’s symbolic that she is a light and that she is OK,” Delaney said.

Student Council members handed out donuts and juice, donations courtesy of Hy-Vee and Walmart, to those who walked or rode their bike on the loop through the park. Attendees bid on items that were part of a silent auction, which were donated by local clubs and businesses.

When the Student Council members saw the park fill with hundreds of people for the walk, Danielle Breen said it was “emotional but not surprising.”

“We’ve mentioned before that Mrs. Graber was such a loving and caring person,” Danielle said. “She left an impact on everyone she encountered. I’m grateful we’ve had so many people come.”

Student Council member Kylie Martin said, “You can definitely feel the love and support from community. We were all a little nervous when we were setting up because we didn’t know how many people would come.”

Student Council member Sarah McAvan chimed in, “It almost feels like a sense of closure to what happened because we get to make something positive out of it.”

Student Council members Malena Bloomquist, Macy Rayburn and Maggie Rayburn helped staff the juice and donuts table. They all had Graber as a teacher, and had nothing but praise for her.

Bloomquist had Graber earlier this school year, and described her as “passionate,” a teacher who truly cared about students.

“She really cared about us as people, and we came first before learning,” Bloomquist said.

Maggie Rayburn said Graber gave her students the confidence needed to learn a foreign language, which she recognized was difficult.

“She pushed us to do better, and wanted us to succeed,” Maggie said.

Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com