Today I give you another impressive story of one of Menomonie’s graduates. Every time I prepare one of these articles, I’m bursting with pride. Our relatively small city has certainly produced a number of outstanding citizens. Whether their lives have taken them far afield or they have chosen to stay in the area and add to the quality of life in Menomonie, we are so proud to have had a part in helping them achieve their goals.
As you can tell by reading the lists below, Katie Marach had so many wonderful memories of growing up in Menomonie and attending high school here! It’s clear to see that Katie exhibited a wide variety of interests and talents during her career at MHS.
Academic/school related
• Extra support before and after school from teachers Harold Vlcek in chemistry, Mike Hulett in Advanced Algebra II, and Margaret Kitze in English.
• Learning how to weightlift in gym class.
• Doing dissections and observing an eye surgery for Mr. Dahlke’s Advanced Biology class.
• Playing piano for Jazz Band and watching everyone swing dance during the Spring Swing performance.
• Going to Ireland on her sixteenth birthday with the Concert Band. (She played oboe in that international competition).
• Having a pixi-stick eating contest during a marching band competition. (Katie was in the Color Guard).
• German Club with Frau Bolin and making a float for the Homecoming parade.
• Serving as co-captain of the forensics team…competing in storytelling…“I did a bit from ‘Good Morning, Vietnam.”
Athletic/social related
• Being seeded sixth and still playing in the volleyball division tournament. Food fighting with the varsity volleyball team while coming back from the tournament.
• Playing varsity softball with Coach Miller and not realizing that I was the clean-up batter.
Social
• Making dresses with my mom and Grandma for Homecoming and Prom.
• Being Prom Queen and riding in the parade
After graduating in 2003, Katie did her undergrad studies at St. Norbert College in DePere where she majored in Education and minored in English as a Second Language (ESL). She then went on to and continues to teach ESL in the Eau Claire School District for the past eighteen years.
From this point in her life forward, it’s obvious that Katie feels a commitment to making the world a better place. She received a master’s degree in Servant Leadership from Viterbo College in LaCrosse in December 2022 and is now completing her final year in its Ethical Leadership Doctoral program. She is conducting research and writing her dissertation as she completes that degree.
Katie concludes, “There is so much I could do in the future. I’m still narrowing it down. We’ll see where I land after graduation. I definitely don’t want to be a professor!”
In 2023-2024 she took a one-year sabbatical, spending six months in Peru and five months in Mexico to learn Spanish. She volunteered at two orphanages in exchange for free room and board during that time.
Katie lives in Fall Creek and continues to keep strong connections with her family and friends in the Menomonie area. We’re so glad she is maintaining her small city values and striving to improve our world.
A special note to my readers:
The initial paragraph in this article was written with a specific purpose. I strongly feel that many former grads don’t think they are interesting or have anything to offer in their stories because they have chosen to stay in the area, raise their families, continue family businesses and occupations (farming, factory jobs, sales careers, teaching), or starting new endeavors in and around Menomonie. This couldn’t be further from the truth!
Not only would I love to share your stories of purpose, of service to our community (through churches, political offices, civic organizations and clubs, etc.) and of living satisfying lives, but I also want to acknowledge how proud we are of what you have helped us to change, grow, and contribute to the area, the state, and our country! In Menomonie, everyone has value and offers amazing gifts to the citizens in the area. Please reach out to me and volunteer to tell your story.
A side note: I think it would be terrific to hear from people who graduated between 1949 -1990. We’re all part of the fabric of this beautiful area in Wisconsin!
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]
