Daily Newsletters
Account
Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
Walk for Nohema to be held May 10 in Fairfield
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
The annual “Walk for Nohema” in honor of former FHS Spanish teacher Nohema Graber will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 10 at Chautauqua Park in Fairfield.
The event will feature about 17-18 baskets for a silent auction, and bidding on the auction will end at 11:45 a.m. Refreshments will be served.
Fairfield High School’s Student Council has put on the Walk for Nohema every year since it began in 2022. Graber died in November 2021 when she was murdered by two Fairfield High School students during an after-school walk through Chautauqua Park.
A memorial bench in her honor was installed in Chautauqua Park, and another memorial was unveiled at FHS where she worked.
This upcoming walk is an especially somber occasion in light of the recent passing of Graber’s son, Jared, who died on April 19, 2025. Heidi Grunwald, FHS Student Council Advisor, said she had Jared as a student and remembers him as a “nice kid.”
Grunwald said she’s not sure how many more years the Student Council will continue to organize a Walk for Nohema, but she expects it will go on at least a few more times. A $1,000 scholarship in honor of Graber was also started after her death, and Grunwald said that will continue to be issued as long as there are funds available.
Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com
