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The Hoelting family tree is one with many branches, but their roots are here
Deep Roots The Hoelting family tree is one with many branches, but their roots are here + by Ally Pruente
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.
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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 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 Mark Robert Paula & Ken David Jr. Theresa & Richard Scott & Jennifer Thomas, Michael & Clifford Heather
1970 1971 1973 1974 1977 1980 1981 1983 1984 1988 1991 1994 1996 1998 1999 2000 2001 2005
Barbara Mike Albert Jr.
Megan & Kenneth Bobby
Geoffrey John & Glen Loretta & Annette Nicholas Clavton
Rachel David Justin Albert III
Sara
CHANGE OF PL NS
After the Rotary Club canceled her foreign exchange, Senior Jenna Wilson works to find au pair position
+ by Grace Logan
Across the Atlantic Ocean, quaint monotonous villages, medieval cities and the breathtaking scenery of France would have been senior Jenna Wilson’s home for a year. She planned to travel with the Rotary Exchange Program, where she would stay with a host family and study abroad for a second senior year of high school.
“I had Mr. [Doug] Murphy for French 2 and he’s a big advocate for taking foreign exchanges,’’ Wilson said. “Throughout that whole year he convinced me that this is what I was going to do, [that this would help me] get out and figure out what I want to do.”
In spite of the COVID-19 pandemic that raged world-wide Wilson believed that a solution would be reached by the time of her departure. In the middle of April, a representative from the Rotary Exchange Program informed Wilson via email that her trip had been canceled.
“It’s been upsetting,” Wilson said. “My entire plan was to have another senior year of high school in a different country and have all those experiences. I was heartbroken that something that I’d been waiting for so long got taken away from me.” The news put Wilson on the hunt for another opportunity abroad. Wilson learned of an alternative option from her childhood caregiver named Lizzie Gremminger.
“[Lizzie] studied abroad in college, was a nanny in France and now travels the world teaching English to young kids,” Wilson said. During her free time, Gremminger backpacked across Europe. The tales of those travels inspired a very young Wilson to look for opportunities to explore the world.
Currently, Wilson is working with an agency to find a position as an au pair. This would allow her to live with a host family while providing childcare and performing household tasks. The majority of positions available would like an au pair to teach the children English as well.
“Most [families] expect that you speak English very well,” Wilson said. “Just so you can teach the kids English and they can grow up speaking it, but you also have to be able to speak [their native language] so communicate with the parents.”
Wilson has taken five years of French, starting during her 8th grade year, however she still has some concerns about a language barrier.
“I feel like I pick up languages pretty quickly so I’m not extremely worried, but it is going to be a learning curve” Wilson said.
Wilson has been in contact with families from both Italy and France. Her focus is on researching and making connections with others who have experienced traveling abroad. Although nothing is concrete yet, Wilson is happy with her decision.
“I’m really excited to experience other cultures as a local rather than a tourist,” Wilson said. “Rather than being on vacation and staying in a hotel, I’ll actually be living there and a part of the community.” Wilson’s parents have provided unconditional support for her dream of traveling abroad, however, other family members have voiced some concern.
“My grandma is a little bit worried that I’m never going to go to college or get a higher education, just because she didn’t get one herself,” Wilson said. “I think that she’ll come to terms with the fact that I’ll do what I need to do when I’m ready, but right now, college isn’t the best option for me.”
Despite the setbacks she has faced with the Rotary Exchange Program, Wilson remains positive. “I know that there are safe ways to travel right now,” Wilson said. “This is what I’ve wanted to do since freshman year, and I’m not going to let COVID-19 stop me.”
— senior Jenna Wilson
Senior Jenna Wilson holds Liam LaMourie’s hand May 12 in room 122. After Wilson’s exchange was canceled she decided to become a nanny. “All of the other exchanges that were still happening were extremely expensive,” Wilson said. “Nannying seemed like the best way for me to still live abroad and gain cultural experience.” + photo by Sophia McCraney
SISTER, SISTER
Freshman Joy Wilson has learned a valuable lesson from her sister
Jenna Wilson, being a naturally spontaneous person, continues to go against the tide while pursuing an education through experiences abroad. Unlike Jenna, her younger sister Joy doesn’t plan on taking any time off between high school and college. Despite their conflicting personalities, Jenna has changed Joy’s perspective on life permanently.
[Jenna] has defintely shown me that I have so many opportunities and if I want to do things I defintely can. — senior Jenna Wilson ”
