Back again
Students return to serve at St. Edmond

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
June 16, 2005

FORT DODGE - For nine members of the St. Edmond School faculty and staff, working there is a homecoming of sorts. They are all graduates of St. Edmond High School.

For 1973 graduate Tom Miklo, what strikes him most about St. Edmond High School is how through all of the changes the school has experienced in the last 50 years, much has remained the same.

"It is still the same caring, family atmosphere; still the same loyal supportive donors; still the same respect and acceptance from the Fort Dodge community; still the same emphasis on providing the highest quality education possible; still the same focus on Catholicism and providing Christian service to all. I always knew that someday I'd return to work here in some capacity and it is quite honestly the best decision I ever made," said Miklo, director of development at St. Edmond's.

Diane (Beeh) Hancock, a 1979 graduate of St. Edmond's, is a member of the school's secretarial staff. She acknowledged that returning to the school as an employee three years ago felt a little strange at first, the deep connection she has always had with the school was evident.

"When we lived in Spencer with a different high school and different mascot, I always felt like a Gael. When we moved back here, it was easy to feel a part of it," said Hancock.

While there have been some changes - such as the uniforms - important elements such as closeness of the students and faculty as well as a welcoming spirit extended to new students continue.

"I still see the school as an extended family of your own and that is how I felt back then, too," said Hancock, who added that it is a great place to educate her own children.

Her husband, Tim Hancock, is a 1978 graduate. He serves as business manager for St. Edmond.

Susan (Flaherty) Laufersweiler, a 1996 graduate, is an elementary teacher at the school.

"I think the values are the same today. You look at it different - from an adult and teenage perspective - but the atmosphere and the values of a Catholic school are still there. The teaching quality is still good. It's always been excellent," she said.

As in the past, Laufersweiler mentioned that not only are the academics strong, but students also receive a solid foundation in morals and the values system.

"I enjoy teaching there. It is fun being back with the teachers who taught me," she said.

Melanie (Polking) Vogt, a 1973 graduate, is a teacher at the high school.

"When I went to school there and as a teacher, it has always been a family-type atmosphere," she stated. "I loved going to school at St. Edmond and in the back of my mind in college I thought it would be nice if I could go back there to teach."

Vogt's wish came quickly as she took a St. Edmond teaching job right out of college.

"I thought the academics when I went to school were excellent and I think the academics are still good. And I think many things have improved," she said. "But I still see parental involvement and caring teachers."

Vogt's daughter graduated in 2003 and her son will be a senior at St. Ed's this year. She has also had the opportunity to teach children of her classmates as well as children of former students.

Joe Shanks, a 1976 graduate, is the athletic director and dean of students at St. Edmond. He returned to the school in 1996.

"It is an opportunity to give back to the school some of the things I received from it," he said. "St. Ed's was always a good school and remains one."

It is also a good place to educate his own children. Two daughters graduated from the school in the last five years.

"It was fun to have them in school and participate in athletics along with all of the other activities we offer," said Shanks. "I like this smaller school that gave them a better opportunity to get involved in activities."

Shanks noted that the school has had some great teams in recent years.

Other graduates who are currently employed at St. Edmond include 1990 grad Sarah (Cole) Cosgrove, high school teacher; 1985 grad Dee (Leiting) Huss, marketing director; and Margaret (Mueller) Junkman, elementary teacher.