Alumni Focus - Middle School Class of 2010
First 8th Grade Graduates 2010
MS Trip 2010
Zach and Jennie Haugen
Kira and Erik Lynch
Connor and Sierra McMorrow
The SCLA Middle School is starting its 15th year, so we’re taking a look back and catching up with members of our first graduating 8th grade class of 2010. These three alumni continued through high school at SCLA and today are adults teaching, working, and raising kids. Hear from Jennie Haugen (Scislow), Kira Lynch (Grev), and Sierra McMorrow (Russ) about their time in the brand new middle school and find out what they are up to today.
Jennie (Scislow) Haugen (‘14)
How did you feel about starting middle school at St. Croix as a brand new school?
I was so excited! When I found out that St. Croix was opening a middle school, I begged my parents to let me go. I was ready for a change of scenery, it was convenient to be in the high school where I was participating in sports, and I was excited to have the opportunity to take more unique classes that hadn't been offered at my grade school, like Spanish.
What is a favorite memory from middle school?
My favorite memories were definitely the field trips. They were so unique and fun. I remember going on a night hike at Eagle Bluff and seeing the most stars I had ever seen in my life while chomping on lifesavers and watching them spark in our mouths in the pitch black darkness.
What would you say to someone considering attending St. Croix?
I really enjoyed the small class sizes offered at St. Croix. All the teachers really get to know you and you get to know all of your classmates. There are a lot of really wonderful opportunities for the arts, extracurriculars, traveling, missions, and community engagement.
What does St. Croix mean to you?
During my time in the middle school and high school, St. Croix really did become like a family. I met some of my best friends in high school that I'm still friends with today, not to mention my husband! I was challenged to grow as an individual academically, athletically, and in my faith.
What are you up to today?
Zach (my high school sweetheart) and I had a son, August, in 2023. After living in Kansas City, Missouri for the last 6 years, we decided to move back to Minnesota so August could grow up closer to his grandparents. We moved back in July and that same month I launched my interior design studio, focused on custom residential and small-scale commercial work including restaurants, boutique hotels, retail, workplace and multi-family.
Kira (Grev) Lynch (‘14)
How did you feel about starting middle school at St. Croix as a brand new school?
While a little nervous, I was excited to be starting school with a handful of friends I knew from sports and many classmates I had yet to get to know! Since my mom (Rachel Grev) taught at SCLA, it made sense for our family for me to attend school in the same building.
What was a favorite memory from middle school?
We were blessed to take several field trips that were valuable both educationally and experientially. One of my favorite trips was toward the end of the school year to Duluth and Madeline Island, where we had plenty of opportunities to hike, explore the area around Lake Superior, and enjoy being together on one of our last trips as a middle school class.
What would you say to someone considering attending St. Croix?
Attending St. Croix gives you the very cool opportunity to be part of a small enough community in which you know you are valued as an individual, as a student, and in your walk with God. It was a blessing to be educated among a diverse group of students, some who didn't yet know Jesus and others who had grown up in the church, as you get to learn about others' paths while collectively being encouraged to know what Jesus is all about. Teachers genuinely care for you and desire to know you and help you maximize your gifts in all areas: academically, spiritually, and in your extracurricular pursuits. You will be well cared for as you are challenged to achieve excellence.
What does St. Croix mean to you?
Before the five years I spent as a St. Croix student, I spent almost a decade shadowing my mom as she coached, planned, and interacted with students. St. Croix is the place where I grew up, so I will always be grateful for its impact on my life, from the people I encountered to the experiences I had. St. Croix was a place where I learned about people from many walks of life: what kind of questions and struggles they had, where they found joy, and how they connected with God. At the same time, I got to grow in my passions and feel supported to discover how my gifts could lead to a life of service. St. Croix truly is a place that strives to develop the whole student and opens doors for whatever comes next in their future.
What are you up to today?
My husband, Erik, and I moved to Milwaukee this summer, where we are excited to explore new scenery and establish a community for our future family. I will be continuing my teaching career as a high school math teacher at St. Augustine Preparatory Academy (Aug Prep), a Christian school that primarily serves students from low income families and provides incredible opportunities for students to grow to know Jesus, excel, and become positive leaders in their community.
Sierra (Russ) McMorrow (‘14)
How did you feel about starting middle school at St. Croix as a brand new school?
I was nervous about starting at a brand new school, but excited to be at school with my dad (the Director of the Middle School, Todd Russ)! It was exciting to be a part of something new. I came to St. Croix because my parents felt like the middle school was a better fit for me.
What was a favorite memory from middle school?
Two memories come to mind. First, going to Eagle Bluff at the beginning of the year. Everyone was new and most people didn't know each other. It was fun to spend the weekend bonding as a school, doing ropes courses, hiking, and all kinds of fun things together. Second, I loved our end of the year trip that we took up to Duluth where we went hiking and stayed in cabins. I also loved getting to have my dad as a teacher that year.
What are you up to today?
I graduated from South Dakota State University with degrees in Spanish and Early Childhood Education. One of my college roommates was actually my middle and high school classmate, Jennie Haugen (Scislow)! I married my St. Croix locker buddy, Connor McMorrow, in 2018. Shortly after, we moved to Houston, Texas where we have lived ever since. I just started my 6th year of teaching and am loving every minute. I have an amazing class of 23 second graders this year.
What would you say to someone considering attending St. Croix?
I would tell them to go! At both the middle and high school level you are able to experience so many things. At many big schools you have to pick one 'thing' to be involved in. At St. Croix I was able to play different sports, be an international mentor, went on a Spanish immersion trip to Costa Rica, and participate in choir and theatre. I loved getting to try different activities and find what I was passionate about. It was also so cool to learn about so many different countries around the world from our international classmates. Getting to experience a Christian education at that age was so invaluable to me.
What does St. Croix mean to you?
St. Croix means so much to me! I truly loved my experience and feel so lucky to have attended both the middle and high school. For five years I went to school every day and was immersed in a Christ centered environment while having strong Christian role models to guide and teach me. So many of my teachers at St. Croix, such as Mrs. Hennig and of course my dad :) are some of the people who helped me to identify my strengths and inspired me to become a teacher myself. Because of my experiences in middle and high school Spanish, I also went on to get a degree in Spanish in college. While at SCLA I also met some of my best friends. The maid of honor at our wedding was our classmate Chantelle Carnegie (Wendland) and our best man was Jesse Smith, who was in my middle and high school class! So much of my time at St. Croix has made me who I am today.