QHS Alumni Spotlight: Q&A with Eric Foster ’08 & Kristen (Johnson) Foster ’07

In our alumni spotlight series, learn about QHS graduates’ most meaningful experiences from QPS, and how QHS impacted their lives.

Eric & Kristen Foster both attended Quincy Public Schools and are now raising their children to be future Blue Devils. Eric ’08 is the Coordinator of Student Life at John Wood Community College and Kristen is a 4th grade teacher at Denman Elementary School.

How did QHS prepare you for your career and for life? 

Eric:
As a member of Student Council, I got to experience a glimpse of what leadership looked like, which is a huge part of my life now! Relationships with teachers set me up to be a leader at JWCC, which launched who I am today.

Kristen:
Graduating and attending school with 500 students in my class and 1500 as a whole I was exposed to diversity of students. Diversity in race socio economic status, and sexuality prepared me for the world, it prepared me to accept others for who they are and paved the way for me to be an accepting teacher as well as a safe space for all students.

Did you participate in any extracurricular activities while at QHS? 

Eric:
Blue Devil Baseball and Student Council

Kristen:
Fall Musicals in 2004, 2005, 2006 – Hello, Dolly!, South Pacific, Seussica – and Concert Choir

Who were your favorite teacher(s)? 

Eric:
Randy Mettemeyer (Math Teacher) and Corey Loos (Welding Teacher)

Kristen:
Mrs. Anders – British Literature

What are your best memories of school? 

Eric:

• Mr. QHS Runner Up (2008)
• New Faces (2008)
• Hanging out with my friends and being a part of football and basketball student sections.

Kristen:
I wish I could pinpoint a big moment such as student sections or musicals, however my best memories happened in the classroom getting to know a random classmate that I wouldn’t have known if we weren’t places in class together. People are interesting if you take the chance to get to know them.

What has changed the most since you were in school?

Eric:
Technology and the influence of social media have changed significantly. There are positives and negatives to these both. Technology now allows for way cooler learning. Social media gives access to people like never before.

Kristen:
I graduated almost 17 years ago. In that time education as a whole and social/emotional development has grown as a whole, this was never talked about when I was a student. Negatively we live in a world of cancel culture that is not giving people grace to make mistakes and learn from those mistakes. The pressure this puts on our youth, especially with the influence of social media, is more than I ever had to deal with.

Current involvement with QPS?

Eric:
I enjoy following QHS Football and recruiting the best Blue Devils to JWCC.

Kristen:
I attend QPS sporting events/parades with my family, and my children will attend QPS.

Do you have any advice for current students? 

Eric:
Everyone will tell you that it goes by fast, but my goodness, it goes by SO FAST. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Enjoy the friendships and get involved at school in whatever way possible!

Kristen:
Don’t be afraid to be authentically yourself. It’s easy to follow others or worry about what others think – but you will be surprised how accepting others will be of exactly who you are. Show kindness – and focus on leadership skills just as much as you focus on grades.