Student Council plans second ‘Walk for Nohema’

FAIRFIELD – Fairfield High School’s Student Council is organizing the Second Annual “Walk for Nohema” on Saturday, April 22, in Chautauqua Park on the east side of Fairfield.

The walk will honor the late Nohema Graber, who taught Spanish at FHS from 2012 until her death in 2021 at the age of 66. The Walk for Nohema will be from 10 a.m. to noon that day, with juice provided. T-shirts will be sold ahead of time, and a silent auction will take place, too, concluding at 11:45 a.m. that day. Baskets for the silent auction are being provided by clubs, organizations, businesses and families.

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

The T-shirts for the event can be purchased online at https://www.teamelitesports.com/Fairfield, but orders must be placed by March 22.

Proceeds from the walk will go toward a scholarship in Graber’s name. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be moved to the Fairfield High School. This event is being held on the same day as the Trojan Athletic Boosters’ fundraising apparel sale, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the high school.

Heidi Grunwald, the adviser for the Student Council, said the school raised $12,000 last year through donations and fundraising tied to the Walk for Nohema.

The Student Council formed a committee specifically to put on this event, and the committee includes junior Malena Bloomquist, seniors Sara Kretz, Makenzie Kraemer, Kate Pettit, and the senior co-presidents Macy and Maggie Rayburn. All of the committee members had Graber as a teacher, and they shared some of their fondest memories of her.

Bloomquist said she’ll always remember Graber as a happy person who loved teaching Spanish.

“She didn’t just want to teach us Spanish, but she wanted us to take it in so we could use it in our everyday lives,” Bloomquist said.

Kretz said she remembers how much Graber cared about each individual student.

“She really cared about each of her students, and wanted to know about us, and who we were,” Kretz said. “She wanted us to succeed.”

Macy Rayburn said Graber was always willing to help.

“Spanish can be hard to learn,” she said. “But she was always willing to help us succeed at it.”

Maggie Rayburn said Graber pushed students to step outside their comfort zone.

“It was OK if you made mistakes, and she was always very positive. She never made you feel bad,” Maggie said.

Kraemer said Graber was a big supporter of the students who were in extra-curricular activities.

“She came to all the band and choir concerts,” Kraemer said. “She would always applaud us the day after a meet or a game, and show us how proud of us she was.”

Pettit said Graber was also so proud when the Homecoming Court was announced that she posted a picture of them, saying, “These are my students! Every one of them is one of mine.”

For more information about the Walk for Nohema, contact Grunwald at Heidi.grunwald@fairfieldsfuture.org.

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