There are few Hastings High School students who have overcome adversity and achieved like senior Natasha Spagl has.
Spagl was honored as the Hastings Rotary Club Student of the Month for March at its meeting Thursday, April 11 at Second Street Depot.
Spagl was nominated for the honor by Hastings High School art teacher Anna Timerson and guidance counselor Steve Peterson. Her nomination states, “After a difficult start to high school, when she easily could have given up on herself and her education, Natasha has worked hard to recover, even earning above a 3.2 GPA each of her last three terms, while at the same time challenging herself to take risks. This year, she joined the choir for the first time and started a speech club at the high school. Her resilience and perseverance are truly remarkable.
“Just as remarkable as her recovery is how simply wonderful Natasha is. She is a kind, empathetic and intelligent young lady who puts others first. Every day she shows up with a smile on her face and kind words to share. She is passionate about art and is an amazing artist. She is a wonderful addition to our school.”
Natasha was joined at the meeting by her parents Kelly and Mark, Timerson and Peterson, HHS Principal Scott Doran, Hastings School Board Director Melissa Millner and Superintendent Dr. Tamara Champa.
Peterson said Spagl’s freshman year was virtual, and she had difficulties. She said she entered sophomore year with just one credit but has worked diligently to become a leader at Hastings High School.
“Natasha is a student I am most proud of, because of what she’s overcome. Her freshman year was really hard. Basically, as a sophomore, she was a full year behind graduation. If you asked her at that time if you would be standing here today, I wouldn’t hazard that she would say yes. She is amazing,” said Peterson. “What she has accomplished is amazing.”
Timerson said Spagl goes out of her way to welcome and mentor younger art students.
“She will be friends with and help anybody. The ninth graders love her. She just tells me she loves the entire class,” said Timerson. “She’s a student who absolutely deserves this and is amazing at art.”
Spagl talked about her transformation from that freshman year into a student who now helps work with other students and had the courage to start a speech club.
“Mr. Peterson opened my mind to the thought about being proud of all my accomplishments, and it opened my mind to the thought about being proud of all my accomplishments. It opened my eyes that I was in charge for my future,” Natasha said.
She decided to join theater and get involved in choir and is an aide for Timerson.
“I do the remember the feeling I got when I made the decision to do better for myself and for others who want to make sure they never feel the hopelessness that I did. And if they ever did feel that way, I would teach them that those feelings were real, and they shouldn’t be ashamed of them. Recognition and reassurance are everything, because it helps to instill a spark in others and yourself,” she said. “There’s a student in my art class who was struggling with her confidence. Hearing her story made my heart sink. That’s when I knew I wanted to help her. I’ve given her encouragement throughout the year and held her accountable. Every day I check up on her to make sure she has her homework done, and if she ever has questions about life. I’m more than willing to share. She ended up becoming one of my best friends. Seeing the smile on her face, watching her grow every day is the best encouragement I could get because it shows that my effort really helped.”
After graduation in June, Natasha plans to start a tattoo apprenticeship to be able to exercise her artistic abilities.
“My parents and teachers always supported me on this journey, and I hope that one day I own my own shop and I create meaningful pieces of art that people can carry with them wherever they go.”
Millner commented, “Your story in particular is just so amazing.”
