Inspired by Revere Local School’s school staff spreading snow-angel fun, Mrs. Katie Hill, Independence School Board President, jumped on the Snow Angel Challenge on February 1.
The trend involves standing in the snow with minimal winter gear, stating your name and nominating others to take the challenge, then falling backward to make a snow angel. Hill said this was an opportunity to have fun with the Independence Staff.
Hill’s son Charlie helped record her video, where she nominated Mr. T. J Ebert, Director of Human Resources and Business Operations, and Mrs. Jodie Hughes, Independence Primary School principal, to join the challenge before throwing herself back into the snow. Snow angel recordings appeared on social media.
Mirroring Hill’s effort to spread the snow angel spirit, Mr. Mike Gruber’s son joined him in recording the challenge, and then proceeded to nominate his two principals at Brecksville Middle School. Gruber commented that he was excited for “a good challenge, especially when it is fun and it can involve others” and that it was “a fun way to bring together the district” so that students could see the staff having fun out of school!
IHS Principal Mr. Mike Janatovich said he also thought it was a good opportunity to “engage the students while they were out” during the 2026 Snowpocalypse. Janatovich pointed out that he was only in shorts and a short sleeve t-shirt and without shoes, while Ebert wore pants.
Mrs. Jennifer Mackey said she was shocked Janatovich could do it without shoes on, and she was motivated to take part in the challenge less out of a competitive spirit, and more so because she “wouldn’t let the team down.” By “team” Mackey referred to Mrs. Jennifer Lewis, who nominated both Mackey and Mrs. Meg Popa.
After Popa took her turn in the challenge, she nominated Senora Reema Sanchez, who roped in Ms. Claire Richardson in her video made on February 5th. Sanchez explained that she texted Richardson, asking if she wanted to combine their videos so she would feel less nervous than doing it on her own.
Sanchez added that she and Richardson became friends since they both started the year as new staff members at IHS, and that she appreciates her friendship because “the more we’re a team, the more we can serve our students better.” At the same time, Sanchez emphasized the importance of engaging in lighthearted fun because “it reminds us to be light on our feet and be kids again.”
Indy students do not often get to see their staff in a lighthearted competition nor in their lives outside of school. Students should tag the district Instagram when they record your own snow angel challenge.
