ONCE A CONDOR, NOW AN EDUCATOR!

Meet Laura Mehes, a former student at Lincoln and now a teacher who still holds the Condor Spirit! Get to know where our alum is now! Class of 2006 Edition!

There’s always a sense of pride when our students go out to the world as agents of change. It’s extra special when, as learners, they then become educators! That’s the case of Laura Mehes: teacher, mother, and a member of the Lincoln Class of 2006. Prepare for a trip down memory lane full of anecdotes and some confessions! 

Can you remember an important moment or historical event that took place during your time at Lincoln?

Lots of historical things happened during my time at Lincoln. The one I remember the most clearly is the beginning of the War in Iraq. I woke up and it was late and my mom hadn't woken me up for school and I knew the war had started and school was closed for the day so I turned on the TV right away. I remember a really intense sinking feeling that the world was different then. I also remember gay marriage being legalized in Canada while I was at Lincoln, and how huge and empowering that felt, even though I wasn't out yet. 

Who was your favorite teacher? What would you say if they were here right now?

I can't pick! I was so inspired by all my teachers, but especially Stacy Stephens, Russ Menard, and Terry Maguire. I would thank them for helping me build critical thinking skills and a passion for learning and social justice. Their instruction has really stuck with me all my life. 

Are you still in touch with friends from Lincoln? 

Only casually through social media. But amazingly, Stacy Stephens and I ran into each other in Hoi An Vietnam in 2015, which was wonderful. 

What is the funniest event or anecdote you can remember of something you did with your friends?

So hard to pick just one, between all the wonderful friend times at people's houses and the wild times at Video Bar...but the musicals really stand out as incredible and fun experiences. Especially the time in West Side Story that Andy Castillo's and my mics got stuck together at the peak of the most emotional song in the show and it was all anyone could talk about later, jajaja. 

What was your favorite food in the cafeteria?

Oooh, hard to pick, but I seem to have strong memories of the salad bar! Who doesn't love a salad bar?