One year was all it took for The Franciscan School to make a lifelong impact on Andrew Schnittker. Coming in as a new eighth grader, Andrew dove right into life at TFS and tried to make the most of his year. “My time at TFS meant the world to me,” says Andrew. “It allowed me to grow and set a strong foundation for myself academically going into high school.” But that wasn’t all this single year did. “Most of all, I met some lifelong best friends at TFS, most of whom I’m still in touch with today.”

After graduating from TFS in 2011, Andrew attended Cardinal Gibbons High School and then N.C. State University. While at N.C. State, Andrew worked all four years at the school’s newspaper, The Technician. He was a writer and then Head Sports Editor for his last two years. This job gave him incredible experiences, like covering the Carolina Hurricanes and N.C. State football, men's and women's Wolfpack basketball, and baseball. He traveled to football games at Florida State, Marshall, Louisville, Clemson, and the Gator Bowl and the ACC Men's Basketball Tournament in Brooklyn and Charlotte. He also covered stories during the Stanley Cup Playoffs in Washington, D.C. “I got to make the most of my college experience,” says Andrew.

Andrew has continued honing his writing and editing skills since graduating in 2019. He first covered high school sports at The Mountaineer in Waynesville, N.C., and then at The Wilson Times in Wilson, N.C., with freelance work throughout writing about the Carolina Hurricanes and N.C. State University. He recently made a major career shift as he returned to N.C. State to be the Brand Journalist and Content Manager for the Division of Academic and Student Affairs (DASA). His new job includes writing articles to promote students, alumni, faculty, and programs within the division, which is actually 50 departments. “I found the perfect fit with DASA at N.C. State,” shares Andrew. “I’m really enjoying the world of higher education, and I’m confident that’s where my career path lies now.”

Andrew’s love of sports isn’t just reflected in his past writing. He loves watching sports and attending live games. Some of his favorite teams are the Kansas City Chiefs, Carolina Hurricanes, Kansas City Royals, and his alma mater, N.C. State Wolfpack.

While attending TFS, Andrew fondly remembers his experiences and the impact of his eighth-grade teachers. He even attributes much of his love of reading and writing as a career to Mrs. Kowite and her language arts class. Although difficult, he also enjoyed Mrs. Moser and her math class. “The best teachers are the ones who push for the best from their students, and Mrs. Moser certainly did that for me and everyone else who was lucky enough to take her class,” Andrew shares. 

And always a fan favorite, Andrew enjoyed the two overnight eighth-grade trips to Camp Haynes and Washington, D.C. “Getting to be together as a class outside of the school setting was a treat, and it helped me grow closer with my friends,” says Andrew.

Andrew has some special advice for students at TFS, particularly those in eighth grade: “Take it all in and enjoy it, especially when you get to eighth grade. It’s tempting g to look forward to high school and more freedom, but don't wish this time with your friends at TFS away. You're going to wish you could go back someday. Also, take to heart what your teachers are telling you. Listen to and respect them; they truly want the best for you.”