News
Collegiate Friars: February 2022
Catching up with 2018 Fenwick classmates Thomas Latz at Saint Mary’s College of California and Shannon Ehrhardt at the University of Oklahoma.
TOM LATZ
Fenwick Graduation: 2018
Hometown: Elmhurst, IL
Grade School: Sandburg Middle School
Current School: Saint Mary’s College of California
Major: Biology
Hometown: Elmhurst, IL
Grade School: Sandburg Middle School
Current School: Saint Mary’s College of California
Major: Biology
Summer Internship: I am currently preparing for shadowing position at a Genetic Counseling office. Moreover, I am a participant in the Resident Advisor program at my college. During my time at Fenwick, I worked over the summers at Chicago Vegan Foods. I also spent time working for Power Distributing.
Career Aspirations: I aspire to work as a genetic counselor or do something related to the inheritance of genetic diseases.
Fenwick Achievements/Activities: At Fenwick, I participated in wrestling for three years. In addition, I played lacrosse for a year. I was very active in Blackfriars Guild, doing both musicals and plays. I also was active in choir. I was selected for ILMEA All-State Choir my junior year and ILMEA All-State Honors Choir my senior year. I received division 1 ratings for IHSA Solo Music Contests sophomore through senior year at Fenwick. I was a Kairos leader and a Kairos rector.
Fenwick teacher who had the most influence on you: Although there were many influential teachers in my time at Fenwick, the most was Mr. Schoeph, who guided me both as a student and as a performer during the shows. He showed me what it meant to be a good man and a person of faith. He was always willing to talk and help no matter the topic, and I attribute much of my personal growth at Fenwick to him.
Fenwick class that had the most influence on you: The discipline that many of Fenwick’s classes taught me has been incredibly influential, but this was most true of Mr. Arellano’s speech class. Although it was incredibly demanding, what I got out of the class and Mr. Arellano’s teaching style was very transformative for me.
Best Fenwick experience: Participating in Blackfriars Guild, especially on nights of performances, is something I would love to live again. The time I spent with my friends on stage and off stage is something I will remember forever. Whether it be the time spent between classes and rehearsal at various restaurants on Lake Street or doing homework in the Auditorium during rehearsal, I look back at all of it with great fondness.
The Fenwick experience that changed you the most: My time in Peoria to participate in the All-State and All-State Honors Choirs impacted me the most. I was given the chance to make music with new friends from all over the state, and it really gave me a new appreciation for music and for the study of music. None of this would have been possible without the support of all those at Fenwick who saw the value in this experience. I can certainly say that I made the most of being able to represent Fenwick in these state choirs, and it changed me for the better!
SHANNON EHRHARDT
SHANNON EHRHARDT
Fenwick Graduation: Class of 2018
Hometown: Hinsdale, IL
Grade School: Clarendon Hills Middle School
Current School: University of Oklahoma
Major: Broadcast journalism with a minor in sports management
Hometown: Hinsdale, IL
Grade School: Clarendon Hills Middle School
Current School: University of Oklahoma
Major: Broadcast journalism with a minor in sports management
Summer Internship: News on 6 in Tulsa, OK
Career Aspirations: My goal is to be a sports analyst for a major sports network. Upon graduating in May, I hope to have a job as a sports reporter/anchor covering stories in that area.
Fenwick Achievements/Activities: Broadcasting Club, play-by-play announcer (2016) and sideline reporter (2017) for Varsity Football, Varsity Soccer, Varsity Basketball, Freshman Volleyball, Preaching Team, Student Ambassador, Student Council, Best Buddies and Spanish Club.
Fenwick teacher who had the most influence on you: Mr. Arellano is a teacher who had a huge influence on me. He taught me how to speak with confidence and poise. Mr. Arellano helped me realize that if you want to keep somebody’s attention, you need to be concise but compelling. The crazy stories he told us never failed to catch me off guard, and I always appreciated the honest feedback he gave me. Mr. Arellano was never afraid to tell me I was wrong, which is something that has made me an impactful storyteller.
Fenwick class that had the most influence on you: Mr. O’Connor’s broadcasting class. For obvious reasons this class stood out to me, but this class also challenged me in ways that I hadn’t experienced at Fenwick. It not only solidified my desire to be a journalist but tested my abilities to find the deeper meaning behind stories. This class forced me to be creative and talk to a wide range of people, which I am very grateful for today.
Best Fenwick experience: I would relive being on the Varsity Soccer Team, but specifically the cross-town rivalry against OPRF my senior year. I scored twice, and hearing the stadium ERUPT after each goal is something I will never forget. When time ran out, the score was 4-0 and the feeling of rushing the field after shutting out OPRF was unreal. I’d relive the atmosphere in that stadium a thousand times.
The Fenwick experience that changed you the most: Being a part of Banua my senior year probably changed me the most. I volunteered to be in the skits, which is something I never thought I’d do in my life. I’m not one for acting, so getting the opportunity to do that gave me a whole new point of view in terms of getting out of my comfort zone. I met so many people I’d never interacted with before who accepted me for who I was and made me understand that I should always be myself no matter what anyone says.
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