this, over 75% of the student population purchases a yearbook from Brenneke’s team, and it’s easy to see why. Creating the book is a semesters and extends two weeks into the following summer when - neke admits. “We do everything possible to create a product that our school and community will be proud of.” But what really keeps her going is the aftermath: the smiles and - living moments of joy, triumph, and camaraderie. These rewards of for Brenneke. “The moments I will never forget are when former stu- dents reach out to thank me for what they learned in my class,” she - ments is a source of immense pride. The work on the yearbook itself is both creative and deeply personal for her. Brenneke’s favorite the students. “It’s about capturing their moments—the ones they’ll want to remember forever,” she shares. Blair Oaks is more than a workplace for Brenneke; it’s home. A proud alumnus, her ties to the school run deep. Her siblings, chil- dren, nieces, and nephews all attended Blair Oaks, and she often teaches students whose parents or grandparents she knows per- sonally. She even gets to work alongside her sister, math teacher Lisa Lackman. “Our community truly bleeds green,” Brenneke says. simply repping their signature color, the Blair Oaks community em- bodies loyalty and pride. According to Brenneke, this unwavering support has been instrumental in the growth of the yearbook pro-
“The smiles and laughter of students time make it all worth it.”
Looking ahead, Brenneke hopes to pass the torch to someone who shares her passion for storytelling and education. A former yearbook editor of hers, Alyssa Seidel, recently joined the Blair Oaks pursuing degrees in education. “My hope is that one of them will step up when I’m ready to retire,” she says. With the foundation she’s built, the program is without a doubt poised to continue its legacy of excellence.
Show-Me Sports /// 17
Outside of teaching, Brenneke leads a full life. As co-sponsor of the Student Council, co-organizer of career day, and a tutor for ACT prep, her involvement in Blair Oaks extends even beyond the year- book. At home, she cherishes time with her family—whether kayak- ing on the Osage River, playing cards, or cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs. She enjoys a good audiobook in her free time, does freelance portrait photography, and serves as copy editor for City Magazine. Though many know her as a teacher and photographer, Brenneke’s life is full of experiences that have shaped her worldview. Few might guess she played rugby in college or lived in Australia for three years. Coupled with her passion for education and photography, work at Blair Oaks has been more than a job—it’s been a calling. “When I see former students as successful adults in our community, it makes me feel proud,” she says. Through her dedication to story- telling, she’s not just documenting history; she’s helping to shape it. Being able to write this article as not only a former yearbook student of Stephanie Brenneke but also as her niece, I could not be more proud of the impact she has made on our community. (So what if I’m a tiny and personally in all that she does, and it is a privilege to call her my aunt. Whether we’re watching Chiefs games while she grades papers, trying out new photography equipment, or spending every holiday AND school year together growing up, it has truly been irreplaceable to how to use a DSLR camera, introduced me to Photoshop, explained professional camera from. Now, I use the skills she taught me every single day in my marketing and photography career, and I wouldn’t be where I am without her. I think I can speak for all of us former Bren- neke students when I say: thank you for everything. Your dedication to your craft and the impact you’ve had on Blair Oaks High School is a legacy that will live on forever through each memory made, photo taken, and yearbook created.
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