This week’s spotlighted MHS graduate is Stefani Friedenfels Terry from the class of 2013. Stefani has chosen to tell her story in her own words.
My time at MHS shaped me far beyond the classroom. I graduated in 2013, and during my time there, I made friends who are still a big part of my life. I also learned lessons that stuck with me. I’m grateful to the teachers who challenged and supported me along the way — their impact stayed with me. But what shaped me most was athletics. As a three-sport athlete, sports played a major role in my high school experience, and Track & Field was where I really found my stride.
After winning a state championship title in the triple jump, I earned a partial scholarship to compete at the University of Minnesota Duluth. I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to study at the time, but I did know two things: I wanted to keep competing, and I wanted to serve my country. With a long family legacy of military service, I felt a deep calling to be part of something bigger than myself. That calling led me to join the greatest team in the world — the United States Military.
While going to school and running track, I enlisted in the Army National Guard as a Carpentry and Masonry Specialist, which turned out to be a turning point. I had always been interested in construction and woodworking thanks to my dad, who owned a construction company. The Army allowed me to learn those skills hands-on, and I was hooked.
After struggling with injuries in track and still unsure of my long-term direction, I decided to transfer back home and complete my education at UW–Stout. In 2017, I graduated with a B.S. degree in Management and, by that time, knew exactly what I wanted to do.
I didn’t want to just work in construction — I wanted to share it. I started a website and social media platform to document my DIY projects and teach others how to build, too. That little passion project turned into “Home With Stefani,” which is now a full-time career in content creation, home renovation, and education. I teach millions of people how to use power tools, build with confidence, and create homes they love, one tutorial at a time.
Here are the links to my YouTube and website:
https://homewithstefani.com
https://www.youtube.com/c/homewithstefani
Life looks a little different now than it did in my track spikes. I moved to Jacksonville, Florida, to join my now-husband Devin, who’s a Navy pilot. Together, we buy and renovate homes wherever the Navy sends us, fixing them up and selling them when it’s time to move. With a new addition to the crew — our 10-month-old son, Harvey — we’re getting ready to head to Virginia soon, where the projects (and chaos) will continue on my “Home With Stefani” YouTube channel.
When I look back, it’s clear how much my time at MHS shaped who I am now. It was on the track and in the gym that I learned grit, discipline, resilience, leadership, confidence, and what it means to push through to achieve your goals. I rely on those lessons every day as a mom, a builder, and an entrepreneur.
Judy Foust is a retired longtime 7th Grade Reading Specialist at Menomonie Middle School. To submit info to her or to request an interview she may be contacted at [email protected]
