Alumni Focus - Patti Joyal ('78) and Tracy Birkholz ('93)
Two alumnae who are passionate about SCLA’s mission are currently Alumni Board co-chairs. Patti Joyal (‘78) and Tracy Birkholz (‘93) attended SCLA, sent their children to SCLA, and continue to support the school today.
What were you involved with in high school?
Joyal: While attending St. Croix, I was in choir, girls choir, prompter for the play, and newsletter editor. I was and still am an avid sports fan for the Crusaders.
Birkholz: I was involved in sports (volleyball, basketball, and track), drama (plays and musicals), National Honor Society, music (choir and Croixaliers), band, and yearbook (it was an extracurricular activity back then).
Did you have a favorite class, and did any teachers have an influence on you?
Joyal: I loved math and English and that probably had a lot to do with the teachers. Mr. Lequia and Miss Arndt were dedicated instructors with a passion for their area of study. They both taught me that learning doesn't stop with the lesson and that the lesson isn't just about Math or English. What's the bigger picture?
Birkholz: My favorite class was probably Creative Writing with Mr. Oldfield senior year. A few of my favorite teachers were Mr. Lequia and Mr. Harley who took the time nearly every morning to help me with math before school and were the sole reason I passed Geometry and Algebra. Another favorite teacher was Paul Kassulke who encouraged me to go outside my comfort zone and gave me opportunities to grow as a leader.
What makes you passionate about SCLA to this day?
Joyal: I believe the smaller class sizes have a big impact on learning. I love that we are reaching out globally. I am a strong supporter of Bible classes, but I think the undercurrent of Christian support is what makes St. Croix such a vital outreach. Ministering through education and friendship versus Bible thumping works.
Birkholz: I’m passionate about the unique, Christian, family-like atmosphere and the global influence which encourages students to see beyond their own culture and broaden their world-view.
Why did you want to be involved in the SCLA Alumni Board?
Joyal: I felt there was room to improve the connection and reconnection of alumni to St. Croix- not just for financial support, but for fellowship and fun.
Birkholz: I wanted to be involved with the SCLA alumni board because I want to see SCLA continue to flourish in the future, and a big part of that happening is keeping alumni connected to SCLA by building community and a passion for the school’s mission.
Tell us about your family and career path.
Joyal: I married my best friend in May 1995. Tom and I have a daughter, two boys, and a daughter-in-law. Laurana, my step-daughter lives in Duluth, Caleb (SCLA class of 2015) and Jared (SCLA class of 2017) and his lovely wife Sophie.
Tom is a computer programmer currently working for TekSystems. I retired from federal employment back in 2005. I currently work part time for Hennepin County Libraries. We enjoy theatre, traveling, brew houses, and the MN Renaissance Festival (if you're out there, look for Lord & Lady Mutual).
Birkholz: My family includes my husband, Josh, Zoe (22), Charis (20) and Nora (18) -- all are SCLA graduates. Now that all my children are in college (Concordia St. Paul, St. Benedict, and Gustavus) our time together is a lot more limited, but when we are all together, we like to take vacations, play games, watch movies and attend theater/arts events.
I was led to want to be an educator by teachers that set a good example and encouraged me to use my gifts in service to others. After graduating from MLC, I taught 3rd grade at Emmanuel (now Crown of Life) for three years and taught one summer at the SCLA summer camp for international students. After having my first child, Zoe, I taught part-time preschool for two years at Shepherd of the Hills in Inver Grove Heights. I was a stay-at-home mom while my children were in elementary school and began doing more subbing when they were in high-school. I am now in my third year teaching 5th and 6th grade part-time at Good Shepherd Lutheran in Burnsville.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Joyal: We currently have three pets: Onyx and Mocha, our two Labra-mutts; and Baby, my Ball Python.
Patti Joyal recently headed up the first SCLA Alumni and Friends Saints baseball game this summer. Over 40 alumni and guests attended. We hope to see even more alumni at our next event- Homecoming on September 29, 2023.
SCLA ALUMNI BOARD
MISSION
The St. Croix Lutheran Alumni Board exists to promote the school mission of Educating the Total Student, and to strengthen ties between alumni, the community, and parents.
OBJECTIVE
To Increase alumni engagement through event participation, and encourage alumni giving through Coffee Club or Crusader Corps.
PURPOSE
To foster a spirit of loyalty and to promote the general welfare of SCLA.
We thank these individuals for their service & support of SCLA:
Carol Lemke (1964)
Patti Joyal (1978) Co-Chair
Tammie Eichmann (1986)
Tracy Birkholz (1993) Co-Chair
Tim Tabor (2003)
John Dvorak (2005)
Brett Padfield (2012)
Angela Hinsch (2015)
Keegan Smith (2015)
Kaitlin Rupprecht (2016)
Ronny Nguyen (2017)
Any alumnus interested in joining the committee may email alumni@stcroixlutheran.org for more information.