The Foundation Behind My Nursing Journey

Abby Hafemann, a 2021 graduate of Martin Luther High School and now a registered nurse at Aurora St. Luke’s Hospital, describes her years at ML as the place where her passion for nursing, and caring for others, began to take root. “Throughout my years at Martin Luther, I was surrounded by a community that emphasized compassion, service, and leadership,” she recalls. In an environment that encouraged students to look beyond themselves, she learned to recognize the qualities essential to nursing.

Running the school’s American Red Cross blood drives became a defining experience. Coordinating volunteers, welcoming nervous donors, and working closely with medical staff gave her early exposure to healthcare and strengthened her organizational and communication skills. “Being trusted with something so important confirmed my desire to pursue nursing,” she says. Whether through service, athletics, or choir, Abby saw daily examples of teachers and students lifting one another up—examples that shaped the kind of nurse she hoped to become.

“Martin Luther gives you teachers who truly care and who push you to think critically, communicate clearly, and develop the discipline you’ll need for the rigor of the medical field.”

Abby credits her ML teachers and advanced courses that carried her through demanding college-level courses and, later, nursing school itself. Teachers like Mr. Nickel pushed her precision and ability to communicate under pressure. That academic preparation, paired with the spiritual foundation she built in a Christ-centered community, now shapes the way she interacts with patients—seeing each one as someone created and loved by God.

For Abby, being a Martin Luther alumna means living out the compassion, confidence, and purpose she discovered during her time here. “It means being part of a family that has supported me, challenged me, and helped me grow… and inspires me to continue living in a way that reflects the education and faith I received here.”