Photos by Jamie Plain
The senior class of 2024 did not experience a traditional introduction to high school. Due to the pandemic, many students began their high school careers on virtual computer screens. Such was the case for Apollo High School (AHS) graduate Carly Weatherholt. After spending her freshman year of high school taking online classes, and half of her sophomore year as a homeschool student, Carly found herself seeking connection when she finally attended Apollo High School full time. What she didn’t anticipate was that connection being with a teacher who was also trying to make adjustments after the pandemic.
An Unexpected Bond
AHS English teacher Catherine “Cat” Feldman had recently returned to teaching after taking time off to serve as a caregiver to her family. Once her sons reached high school age, Feldman made the decision to return to high school herself. Carly’s new schedule change placed her in Ms. Feldman’s sophomore English class where she quickly found herself gaining an appreciation for Feldman’s creative teaching style.
“I always thought of her as a very cheerful, creative and artsy person,” Carly said. “She was so funny — like everything she did would make me laugh. She was just an absolute joy to be around.”
Carly began to realize that the bond she had with Feldman transcended the classroom.
“Because it was my first time in that school (Apollo), and it was also hers…We very much understood each other — things were very linear,” Carly said. “During that time, she had lupus and was scared about getting sick (from Covid-19). I would go in early and help her wipe her desks and we would fill each other in about our days. That’s how we really started to bond. It’s crazy how we became so connected in just two to three minutes every day.”
From there, Carly said she tried to take as many classes with Ms. Feldman as she could. She even went as far as to ensure Feldman had gluten free muffins when she lacked energy and helped pass out papers when she was experiencing pain related to her lupus. Carly’s generosity and compassion were observed by many of her teachers, including AHS science and biology teacher Paul Bates.
“Carly has a big heart for all people,” Bates said. “She is kind, caring, empathetic, and selfless. Essentially, she epitomizes the Eagle Family.”
A Courageous Fight
Throughout her junior and senior years at Apollo, even when she was dually enrolled in college classes, Carly maintained her connection with Feldman.
Then, in October of 2023, Feldman underwent several tests and medical procedures that revealed that she had Stage IV cancer in her colon, liver, and lungs.
“She pulled me aside at the breast cancer pep rally for (Apollo head custodian) Ms. Stephanie, and said, ‘I need to tell you something very important — I was diagnosed with Stage IV terminal cancer over Fall Break. I don’t know how long I have here, but I don’t think it’s long.’ I looked at her and said, ‘No matter what, we’re going to go through it.’”
After previously losing her grandfather to cancer, Carly decided to handle this news with a different mindset.
“The first time it was absolute terror and horror; I spent most of my time with him sad,” Carly said. “With Ms. Feldman, I wouldn’t cry in front of her. She was already sad enough. If I was in front of her, I needed to make her feel better and cheer her up. You can’t really change what’s going on, you can just try to make the best of it.”
Struggling with what she could do to help her beloved teacher, Carly turned to her mother for ideas. Her mother, the owner and operator of Dunn Sweetly Candy Store, suggested they raffle off a freeze-dried candy basket to raise money. But Carly didn’t stop there. Armed with her mother’s creativity and the generosity of local businesses, they were able to create an online Facebook auction. In less than two months, Carly and her mother were able to help raise $7,895.
“My original goal was to reach $1,000,” Carly said. “Then I wanted to be able to help fully fund the Go Fund Me for her family. It’s just crazy to think how well the community came together for people they didn’t even know. Fundraising takes a lot of organization and it is so hard, but it is 100 percent the best thing I’ve ever done.”
Word of Carly’s generosity quickly spread throughout the halls of Apollo and into the community.
“Carly and Ms. Feldman had a close relationship even before Ms. Feldman got sick,” said Bates. “So when Ms. Feldman started to miss school, Carly took it upon herself to fundraise for Mrs. Feldman. Carly did not do it for notoriety for herself, she did it for the love of her teacher.”
A Family Loss
Carly presented the money to a teary-eyed Feldman on Jan. 1, 2024. On Feb. 28, 2024, the news was shared with staff and students at Apollo that Feldman had passed away, just over four months after receiving her diagnosis.
“She meant the world to so many people — you were grateful to know her,” Carly said. “She was a huge mother role in my life. From the very beginning, I’ve said she was not just a teacher, she was the mom version of school.”
AHS Assistant Principal Mason Head taught with Feldman in the English department and helped her manage her absences throughout her diagnosis and treatment. When asked about the impact Feldman had on those at Apollo, he referred to the common expression shared among AHS staff and students, “Always an Eagle Family.”
“Teaching is such a unique profession because, as teachers, you spend so much time with each other and with your students — you become more like family,” Head said. “Most people expect us to celebrate the wins, and we do, but we navigate the tough times too.”
Between the years of 2022 and 2024, five different staff members at Apollo bravely battled cancer. During the commencement ceremony for the Class of 2024, former Apollo history teacher Mark Fuller, former principal Rick Lasley, and Feldman were all recognized in memoriam. Carly’s graduation tassel was adorned with two specially-designed charms which held photos of Feldman and her grandfather.
“Losing my grandpa and Ms. Feldman has made me cherish the people in my life,” Carly said. “It has opened my mind to connection and helped me to not take anyone and anything for granted. I am very blessed, that is for sure.”
A Lasting Inspiration
Carly currently works at Target and at Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph as a CNA (certified nursing assistant), a job that brings her unspeakable joy.
“I can’t think of a job better than being a CNA,” Carly said. “You don’t do it for the money or because it’s a job. You become like family to the people you take care of. I feel like everyone in the world deserves having someone to love them.”
After completing her associates degree, Carly intends to transfer to the University of Louisville School of Nursing in Owensboro with the goal of helping others in the future.
“There is no doubt in my mind that this is what I am meant to do,” Carly said. “I want to be able to help people and empathize with them because I understand what they are going through. It is not hard at all to be a good person and put a smile on someone’s face throughout the day and make a connection with someone.”
