The Woodward Alumni Hall of Fame Association
Sara A. Monhollen Inducted 2017 - Class of 1988
With Sara's grandparents living around the corner from her home on Ontario Street in Toledo's North End, Sara has always known the importance of family. Friends, lasting friends, were formed early on her journey from Lagrange Elementary, to Leverette Junior High, before finally arriving at Woodward in the Fall of 1984. Loveta Partin, Sally Jomaa, Rhonda Chaib, Michelle Taylor Tuie, and Shilas Gharib helped Sara overcome her shyness.
As Sara and her friends entered the expanse of Woodward’s halls and classrooms, together they urged Sara to be more open and talkative to her new friends and ideas. Along with several of Woodward's teachers that deserve special mention, Sara mentioned that she learned a lot about herself and her capabilities. Sara loved English and really enjoyed Mrs. Amberg's class where she developed her fondness for reading. Sara reserved special praise for Mr. Dave Yenrick who she said was kind and always encouraging and supportive with his students. He had a great sense of humor and you always knew that he truly cared about you. He was an adult you could always look up to
and respect, and he was always there for you when you needed support and guidance. Mr. Duvendack, like Mr. Yenrick, was always encouraging everyone to do their best.
After leaving Woodward with the first Hall of Fame Scholarship awarded, Sara earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, and continued her education with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Lourdes College in Sylvania, Ohio.
Returning to the Greater Toledo Area in 2006, Sara went to work for the Hirzel Canning Company. Employing her twenty years' experience in Human Resources, coupled with her broad knowledge and skills in Human Resource Administration, Sara built the HR Department from the ground up and directs all aspects of the HR operations for Hirzel Canning.
Sara devotes her spare time to her six-year-old niece, Izabelle, who Sara describes as her heart and that she is so blessed by her presence. Sara volunteers at the Echo Meadows Church of Christ where she teaches 2nd and 3rd grade Sunday School and is a Teen Youth Advisor.