I would like to “Spotlight” two of my favorite things: Students and Teachers.
The first thing I want to mention this week is the overwhelming pride and admiration I felt on Monday night, the 17th, at our Annual Dinner for the Janice Stotts Memorial Academic Letter Jacket recipients, held in the Geiger Center at OBU. These exemplary students—twelve of them this year—represent the top 10% of the senior class academically, and they represented themselves, their families, and our school incredibly well.
I would like to thank their families and the teachers they invited—each chosen by the students as being especially influential in their academic growth—for successfully guiding these young people to this point. Your dedication and care truly show! I also want to thank Principal Bryan Jennings and Assistant Principal Katherine Papera for producing such a well-received event in honor of these outstanding students, as well as all the donors and supporters who helped make it possible.
Front: Arien Robinson, Lydia Reece, Launa Troutt, Dawsen Branum, Addison Adams. Back: Gracelyn Austin, Dani Easley, Lillian Lee, Kaleb Fox, Elijah Erskine, Taycee Lewis, Jordyn Dennis
It is my hope this year to feature many of our staff members. The first spotlight goes to Spanish teacher Ms. Catherine Longest, now in her fifth year at McLoud High School.
I had the pleasure of visiting with her a few days ago, and I came away genuinely impressed. One of the perks of being new in a district is being consistently impressed as I meet more and more of our staff, and Catherine was no exception. We talked about everything from how she keeps students engaged, to her personal interests, to her students and colleagues in general. A common theme quickly emerged: she loves McLoud High School and what it represents.
In her words, “It is a bigger school with a smaller school feel.” She spoke warmly about her students, the attention they earn, and the support she feels from the school and community. One of the ways she cultivates this supportive environment is by making her classes both engaging and relevant. Her students participate in activities such as Spanish Jeopardy, Find Someone Who…, and Conjugation Relay—games that allow them to use their developing language skills in a low-pressure setting while demonstrating what they’ve learned.
One of her greatest joys is watching her students grow “into themselves” and make real-world connections through their new language skills. A highlight for her is when they share moments from their lives where speaking Spanish came in handy as a practical skill.
Outside the classroom, Miss Longest loves to travel and is an avid hiker. She has even organized travel-abroad opportunities for our students to destinations as varied as Ireland and Costa Rica. She also shared how much she values the support of her colleagues and the way they work together for the benefit of their students.
If you see her around campus, take a moment to say hello and catch up—she’s a keeper!