Deep Roots 26 | feature
Since the day Northwest was built in 1969, the last name Hoelting has echoed through the hallways. The family has had at least one student enrolled here at any given time for 51 years. Senior Albert Hoelting III and his two cousins junior Adam and sophomore Will Flickinger are some of the last members of their generation of the family to walk these halls. But regardless of how many Hoeltings are here, the bond they’ve created in the NW community is something that’s truly never-ending. Albert and Alice Hoelting were the backbone of the family, setting the stage for the long-lived legacy. Starting out as farmers with only an eighth grade education and little money to their name, the couple found a niche in homebuilding. From St. Louis, they began to build their home along with their family. “[Albert Sr.] supported his family by building a slightly larger home as his family grew, and that turned into a lucrative business for him,” Allyson Starnes, Albert III’s second cousin, said. “Shawnee became a huge deal. That’s what we’re rooted in, that’s how we got here.” Albert Sr. and Alice had 11 children: eight boys and three girls. The eight boys all became involved in the homebuilding business, just as their father had. A few of their sons have become homebuilders as well, carrying on the tradition to a third generation. The original 11 children had a total of 36 immediate grandchildren. To this day, the children and grandchildren all reside in areas near or in Shawnee, providing a sense of closeness between them all. “To be able to grow up with your family and see cousins of cousins’ kids grow up, I think is pretty special,’’ Aaron Starnes, Albert III’s second cousin said. “I don’t think there are many families around the country that have done what we’ve done.” As the family members have attended Northwest for generations, the school had begun to feel just like home. The
May 19, 2021
The Hoelting family tree is one with many branches, but their roots are here + by Ally Pruente
Hoeltings were never truly alone because they knew, or had known, at least one relative while they were here. It created a sense of belonging to the NW community, and bonded them even closer. “It was just so cool to be able to say we had so much family in such a small space,” Brandi Hoelting-Perez, Albert (II 2nd cousin said. “Because of how much family we had, it felt like Shawnee was just a small town.” Northwest provided not only a way to bring the family together, but some life changing moments. The family has had eight high school sweethearts, although some aren’t together today. “We definitely have a lot of sweethearts that came out of Northwest,” Starnes said. “Brandy and her husband, Scott and Jamie, Rick and Marlice, and I think there’s probably more. I would say there were probably six or seven couples in our family that came together at Northwest.” Hoeltings have been on Homecoming and WPA courts (the Women Pay All dance was the precursor to Sweetheart dance). They have held school records, served as leaders in various organizations (including The Northwest Passage) and have played almost every sport Northwest has to offer. Albert Hoelting III adds to this legacy and is proud to be a part of such a close knit family. “It’s definitely a little bit sad [to be one of the last Hoeltings at Northwest],” he said. “My family has had such deep roots here.” Regardless of last name, the family doesn’t think their legacy is anywhere close to over. The next generation will continue to leave its mark, just as the last 38 Hoeltings have before them. “I certainly don’t feel like I’ll be the last one,” Albert III said. “We may have [family members] move back here, and I know my sisters have plans to live in the Shawnee area… it’s just a matter of time before the next wave of Hoeltings.”
Senior Albert Hoelting III is the 38th person with the Hoelting last name to attend Northwest. Hoeltings have been attending this school since it opened in 1969. + photo by Kailee Alexander
51 Years of Hoeltings... and counting Tim
1970
Mark
1971
Robert
1973
1974
Barbara
Paula & Ken
1977
Mike
1980
Albert Jr.
Megan & Kenneth
Bobby
2007
2010
2009
1981
Matthew & Brandy
David Jr.
1983
Geoffrey
1984
Theresa & Richard
1988
John & Glen
Rachel
2012
Abigail
2013
1991
Scott & Jennifer
1994
1996
Loretta & Annette
David
2014
Amanda
2015
Thomas, Michael & Clifford
1998
Nicholas
1999
2000
Amelia
2017
2001
Clavton
Justin
2016
Heather
2005
Sara
Albert III
2018
Brandie
2021
+ design by Alden Norberg
