The 2020 induction ceremony for the Arcadia Huskie Wall of Fame was held at the Arcadia Community Building on Saturday, September 5th at 7:00 p.m. Bobby Hurlburt, president of the Selection Committee mad the presentation and Rolen Sell served as M C. A cookie and drink reception followed the ceremony.
This year’s Alumni inductee attended Arcadia Public Schools beginning in 6th grade and graduated with the class of 1976. Shortly after that, Teresa Moody married Bill Staab. Together, they have four children…Melanie Kolar, Tammy Faucett, Josh Staab, and Brittany Welniak… and seven grandchildren. She has been, and remains, an amazing Mother. She has assisted Bill in the family business, serving as chief bookkeeper and gopher...go fer parts! She also worked for a period of time as a travel agent. However, Teresa is probably recognized by most of us for her lifelong mission of helping others.
She volunteered and worked with the Goldenrod Girl Scout Council for over thirty years, starting out as a volunteer leader for the Junior Scouts. She continued to lead until all of her girls were finished with scouts. She received the Appreciation Pin in 1987 and the Outstanding Leader Pin in 1996. Teresa utilized her travel agent experience to coordinate and direct numerous Girl Scout trips across the country, as well as many local trips. Her work with the Girl Scouts encompassed and developed her passion for helping kids become their best self, instilling positive values, learning to help others, solving problems, overcoming challenges and having fun creating memories. This passion has carried over into everything Teresa does for others since that time. She has also coordinated and led numerous trips for the Huskie Band to various locations across the United States.
Teresa has coordinated and directed, with the help of a leadership team, 24 mission teams to date through the United Methodist Church Volunteers in Mission. Since their first mission to New Orleans in 2006, she has organized and led groups of up to 50 or more people from across the state to travel all over the country by bus to help rebuild homes for poverty stricken families and victims of natural disasters, such as hurricanes and flooding on the Gulf Coast, in Texas, and in the Appalachian mountains, plus tornadoes and flooding across Nebraska and surrounding states. She also assists in training members for the United Methodist Church Emergency Response Teams that travel throughout Nebraska and Kansas to assist in disaster cleanup immediately following disasters. Teresa’s selfless leadership and work in helping others has not only touched the lives of the hundreds of people the mission team has helped but has also had a positive impact on the many volunteers who have worked with her. At the same time, Teresa has served as a member of the church Administrative Council, as a Trustee, a member of Parish Council, a member of the United Methodist Women, and has been a Sunday school and bible school teacher.
In the longstanding tradition of the Arcadia Public School Prom, Teresa has created and directed the sophomore prom skit since 1998. She organizes the costumes, teaches choreography, edits music, and spends countless hours putting the skit together and working closely with the sophomore class, and the many volunteers. One of her helpers puts it this way: “I have had the privilege to work alongside Teresa for many years and have seen her always go the extra mile to ensure that everyone is included and treated fairly. But, most importantly, she helps to make the skit a positive experience, building each kid’s confidence in their accomplishments and hard work, and creating memories that last a lifetime.”
In some of her spare time, Teresa builds a magnificent float for Arcadia’s Labor Day parade every year, maintains the fountain at the Veteran’s Memorial Wall, and has previously hosted almost countless exchange students over the years. Four of these exchange students have written notes of appreciation which were shared here at the induction. Teresa has been active in 4-H and Make It With Wool programs. If you need help in getting some project done, Teresa Staab is certainly the go-to person.
We feel that it is evident that Teresa Staab has spent her life helping others, along with her family and business obligations, and is certainly deserving of recognition as a member of The Arcadia Huskie Wall of Fame. Congratulations, Teresa!
Message from Nik Zarins
Germany
“Dear Teresa,
Thank you for all the joy that you and your family have given us. Coming to the US and small-town Nebraska as teenagers has its challenges, but you have made it a wonderful experience for each one of us. I will never forget the time spent with you, along with the opportunities to grow and the experience of a completely different surrounding-a loving home far away from home.
In German, we have a word called ‘Nachstenliebe’. If I had to describe you with one word, this is the one that I would choose. It translates along the lines of altruism and Christian neighborly love, which is how I have gotten to know you. You are a true role model for me and people like you do truly make this world a better place.
You, Bill and your family are the reason why all your exchange students you have hosted over the years fall in love with living in the community of Arcadia and the state of Nebraska. This bond is also the reason each and every one of us loves coming back to visit. However, it does not stop there-Mission trips, Prom and many more-the list of things you have done for the people and the community surrounding you is endless and I could not think of anyone who is more deserving of this award.
Forever together and never apart, maybe in distance but never in heart.
Congratulations, and see you soon hopefully. I love and miss you.”
Message from Alex Putzer
Italy/Spain
“The very first day that I got to meet Mom was the day after her mother passed away. It was a very sad moment. Nevertheless, only after months did I understand the true severity. It took me so long because, despite the terrible circumstances, I never felt neglected, I felt accepted and cared for. It took me some time to see that, even in moments where she had every right to be frustrated, to be angry, to be sad, or at least to be a little selfish, she made sure that people surrounding her were sufficiently taken care of. Step by step, I realized that this authentic care is, luckily, not only directed at me, but towards all the people in her surroundings. Mom is one of those people that would never put herself first, no matter what. This is one of the reasons why we have to force her to be at the centre stage tonight.
I do not have to repeat all the other beautiful things she has done to deserve this honor. After all, when I heard about the addition to the Huskie Wall of Fame, I asked myself one question only: How did it take so long?”
Messsage from Belen Parada Zuleta
Chile
“Teresa, my dear USA mom, oh how lucky I’m for being able to call you like that! I still remember that October night almost 13 years ago (time has gone by so freaking fast!) when you took me in as your exchange daughter and converted my experience abroad in a memorable and full of love one. In my time living with the Staabs I learnt a lot, from acting and dancing to fixing houses, and even poker (thanks Bill!), but if there is something of my experience that I treasure until this day, it is the selfless and uninterested love Teresa and Bill always gave to me, and I think this was just an extension of how they were with all the people around them: caring and loving. Teresa was like a mom to me during my time there, and I have an amazing mom, so when I say she was like one, I’m not saying it lightly. I am forever grateful that I had the opportunity to meet this amazing woman in my life, and I hope I can one day make the impact in my community as I know Teresa has made in hers. Arcadia (and surroundings) are very lucky to have a woman like Teresa, who is always working her way for making the world around her a better place. Congratulations mom, you totally deserve this award! Miss you and love you always,
Belen, your Chilean daughter”
Message from Elias Ham
Chech Republic
“Teresa Staab has positively impacted many different lives.
Organizing the mission trips and getting all these people together to help those in need is just one of her many selfless acts.
She has managed to make prom an everlasting and precious memory for everyone that is involved. From sophomores, juniors, seniors to all the people helping and of course the spectators.
Opening her home for people that she had previously never met is another incredibly kind act that she has done numerous times. It’s something that I and all the other foreign exchange students will never forget.
Teresa, you are an amazing role model. You give so much for others without expecting anything In return.
Everybody that has you in their lives can call themselves blessed. We acknowledge your efforts and we appreciate you and everything you do, Teresa.”
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