Welcome to our "WC Spotlight Podcast," where we will get to meet some of the inspiring teachers, staff members, coaches and students who make West Catholic High School a special place.

On this episode we feature teacher Pat Nugent, who teaches Freshmen religion and AP Economics. He has been at West Catholic High School for 30 years.

Content strategist John Gonzalez and communications director Natalie Scalabrino (a WC alum) interview Mr. Nugent about the upcoming March For Life Rally, where he will take a group of about 40 students to Washington D.C. (Jan. 18-21, 2023). He has led a group of students to the March since 2001.

It's inspiring to hear his words.

Here is some of the biography information he provided.

WC Spotlight - Pat Nugent

Hometown: Lowell
Subjects: Freshman Religion, AP Economics (now, but lots of religion and math classes over the years)
How many years at WC: 30
Favorite food: Fast Food burgers
Favorite thing to teach, and why: Church History -- As Catholics, Church History is our history. It is the story of who we are and how we came to be the Church we are today
You might not know: I have written many articles and books about the history of my parish (St. Patrick's, Parnell) and Grattan Township where my family has lived since the 1840s. I am the sexton of St. Patrick's Cemetery -- I am responsible for marking gravesites, digging holes for cremains, and placing monuments. I have served on the Lowell Area Schools Board of Education since 1989.

A few questions he answered....

Why do you teach?

"I have always wanted to be a teacher. My mom is a teacher and all of my siblings are also teachers. I enjoy knowledge and learning, and I like to share my knowledge."

Tell us more about your personal life.

"I play trivia every week with a team of former West Catholic students (some of them former members of my Quiz Bowl team) and some of their parents. Our team was State Champions in 2019."

What do you love about the West Catholic community?

"West Catholic truly is a community--a second family. I have lots of memories. The kids and their parents are very supportive, but most of all the staff is a great group of people to work with every day. Great mentors like Sandy Golembiewski, Mary McGrath, Mike Cherrette, and Mike Martin. Great friends like Sandy Golembiewski, Rita Totoraitis, and Gloria Coste de Falk."

West Catholic Live is a production of West Catholic High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Our President and CEO is Cynthia Kneibel. Our President and CEO-Designate is Jill Annable. Our Principal is Tony Fischer.

Our Mission: To form Disciples of Christ through a dynamic, excellence-driven Catholic Education. Learn more at grwestcatholic.org.