FHS Student Council plans ‘Walk for Nohema’

FAIRFIELD — The Fairfield High School Student Council is planning to honor a beloved friend and former teacher with a fundraiser and community gathering in late April.

The student council has organized the inaugural “Walk for Nohema” to remember FHS Spanish teacher Nohema Graber, to be held from 10 a.m. to noon on April 23 at Chautauqua Park in Fairfield.

“At any point during the scheduled time, bring your friends and family to walk, run or ride a bike through Chautauqua Park,” stated a flyer advertising the event.

T-shirts will be sold ahead of time, and a silent auction will be held that morning, concluding at 11:45 a.m. Baskets for the silent auction are being provided by local clubs, businesses and families.

Proceeds from the event will go toward creating a scholarship in Nohema Graber’s name. In case of inclement weather, a makeup date has been set for May 7. For more information about the event, contact Heidi Grunwald at Heidi.grunwald@fairfieldsfuture.org.

Several members of the FHS Student Council have shared their memories of Mrs. Graber and why they were motivated to hold an event in her honor.

Sarah McAvan

After Graber’s death on Nov. 2, members of the FHS Student Council began brainstorming ways of honoring her legacy, which included having taught Spanish at FHS since 2012. A special committee within the student council was formed to plan an event, consisting of all the council’s senior members: Brynley Allison, Danielle Breen, Delaney Breen, Anna Dunlap, Mallory Lyon, Kylie Martin and Sarah McAvan.

McAvan said the committee came up with numerous ideas, such as dedicating a bench to Graber with her name on it, or something more personal to her like a community talent show, similar to the talent shows she was famous for holding in her Spanish class.

“However, the ideas either didn’t feel personal enough to her or they would take too much time to plan and wouldn't be ready by the end of this school year,” McAvan said.

McAvan’s mother suggested holding a walk through Chautauqua Park, since Graber loved walking along the park’s trail, and proceeds from the walk could go toward a scholarship under Graber’s name. McAvan pitched the idea at the next committee meeting, and the other students loved it.

“It was a mix of everything that we wanted to do to honor Mrs. Graber,” McAvan said.

McAvan said the committee decided on the name “Walk for Nohema” because the members were inspired by the song “A Light for Nohema” written and performed by FHS English teacher Fred Hucke, who sang it at the candlelight vigil held for Graber just days after she died.

McAvan said the committee members felt it was important to have a scholarship in Graber’s name because of how much she loved teaching kids, which was apparent in how she ran her class and how she treated every student.

“She truly valued education and encouraged her students to keep learning throughout their lives,” McAvan said. “We felt that a scholarship in her name and giving kids the funds they need to continue their education would be a perfect way to keep her love for learning alive.”

The committee members also met with Paul Graber, who married Nohema in 1986 and had three children together: Christian, Nohema Marie and Jared. The members told Paul about their plans and to find out if he had ideas he wanted to incorporate into the event.

“He wholeheartedly approved of everything, which meant the world to all of us on the committee,” McAvan said. “We hope that this will be an annual event that is planned by the seniors in student council.”

McAvan had Graber for Spanish 2 and Spanish 3 classes during her sophomore and junior years. She described Graber’s personality as “giving and humble.” It was easy to see how much she admired her students, McAvan said, like how she always attended their performances in band, choir and theater. The following day, she brought the program from the show to class to ask for autographs from the performers.

“She frequently showed her class postcards that she received from past students,” McAvan said. “You could tell she treasured them.”

McAvan said her fondest memories of Graber’s classes were how she talked about growing up in Mexico, and stories about her travels. She especially loved the talent shows that Graber held on the day before winter, spring and summer break.

“Anyone could perform any talent that they wished,” McAvan said. “I frequently saw people playing their musical instruments, singing, dancing, and even a couple magic acts.”

McAvan said Graber taught her classes the importance of honesty, and showed them how to work hard and pursue their passions.

“I will take the lessons I learned in her class with me for the rest of my life,” McAvan said.

Anna Dunlap

Dunlap also had Graber as a teacher during her sophomore and junior years. She remembers that they were difficult classes because Graber had high expectations of her students.

“She knew what we could do and held us to it,” said Dunlap, who added that the classes were still fun because the students got to sing songs, watch movies and talk about their favorite things.

“Mrs. Graber wanted what was best for us,” Dunlap said. “She wanted us to develop study skills and have integrity in the classroom. Beyond the Spanish language, she wanted us to go to college, travel, spend time with family, and be happy. She shared her experiences with us, teaching us about her culture and just how important these things were. She was caring and inspiring.”

Dunlap said she’s happy the committee decided on a walk to remember their former teacher, because it will give the community a chance to come together. Those who cannot attend can still support the cause by purchasing a T-shirt that reads “First Annual Walk for Nohema” on the front, with the words “Amor y Paz” on the back, which translates to “Love and Peace.” Dunlap said this is a tribute to one of Graber’s favorite mottos.

“She respected all of us and would use this saying to assure us that her words were spoken with peace and love,” Dunlap said.

Mallory Lyon

Lyon had Graber for Spanish 2 and Spanish 3, and said she was one of the “purest souls you would ever meet.”

“To know her was to love her,” Lyon said. “A day didn't go by where there wasn't a smile on her face.”

Lyon said Graber had a charismatic personality, and that she brightened every room she entered. She loved every student, Lyon recalled, even those who weren’t in her class.

“She understood that Spanish wasn't for everyone, and she told us that many times,” Lyon said. “The class itself was a bit challenging because learning a foreign language isn't the easiest thing ever, but she made it fun. You knew that you would learn something new every day in her class.”

Lyon said the committee had been discussing ways of honoring Graber, and every member agreed that a walk with a fundraiser for a scholarship was the best way of capturing everything Graber loved.

“We wanted to make it special,” Lyon said. “We knew that we couldn't just have any ordinary fundraiser; she deserves so much more than that.”

Brynley Allison

Allison had Graber for two years, and said Graber “welcomed you with open arms and accepted you for who you were” whether you were her student or not.

“Her classroom was always full of laughter and smiling faces from joking with each other or hearing about her adventures from when she traveled,” Allison said. “Her enthusiasm and passion for teaching were also so inspiring and made you want to learn. She loved every one of her students, and it was truly felt.”

Allison said Graber’s classes were challenging, but their teacher provided her students with the resources to succeed. For instance, Graber created what she jokingly referred to as “La Pandilla” which means “The Gang” in Spanish, but this was a gang that used books and knowledge instead of weapons. This gang gave students a chance to get extra help before or after school.

Allison said she enjoyed learning the histories of many countries in Graber’s class, and hearing about Graber’s experiences.

For a little over a month, the committee has been planning the “Walk for Nohema.” Allison said the committee members work so well together that they’ve been able to fly through the planning process.

“We all just want to provide a chance for our community to remember and honor the life of Nohema,” Allison said.

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