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Circle High choir director teaches last class after ALS diagnosis
Towanda community rallies around beloved teacher as she steps down due to declining health
Apr. 13, 2026 at 3:06pm
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As a beloved choir director steps away from her dream job due to an ALS diagnosis, her students and community rally to support her during this difficult transition.Wichita TodayHeather Redondo, the choir director at Circle High School in Towanda, Kansas, taught her final class on Friday after being diagnosed with ALS in January. Redondo, an opera singer and teacher, has watched her health rapidly decline over the past few months, going from a limp that wouldn't go away to needing a walker and wheelchair. Despite her fears about losing her voice and hope, Redondo is leaning on the support of her students and the tight-knit Towanda community as she steps away from her dream job.
Why it matters
Redondo's story highlights the devastating impact of ALS, a terminal neurological disease that gradually robs individuals of their physical abilities. Her decision to step down from her beloved teaching role at Circle High underscores the difficult choices many face when confronted with a life-altering diagnosis. The community's outpouring of support for Redondo also demonstrates the power of compassion and togetherness during challenging times.
The details
Redondo first noticed issues with her right foot, where she experienced a limp that wouldn't go away. This progressed to the inability to move her toes, the need for a walker, and eventually a wheelchair. In January, doctors diagnosed her with ALS, an incurable disease that slowly destroys the body's nerves until a person can no longer function. Despite her declining health, Redondo continued teaching at Circle High until this past Friday, when she taught her final class.
- Redondo was diagnosed with ALS in January 2026.
- Redondo taught her last class at Circle High on Friday, April 13, 2026.
The players
Heather Redondo
The choir director at Circle High School in Towanda, Kansas, who was recently diagnosed with ALS and has been forced to step down from her dream job due to her declining health.
Circle High School
The high school in Towanda, Kansas where Redondo taught choir until her ALS diagnosis.
Towanda community
The tight-knit community in Towanda, Kansas that has rallied around Redondo and is supporting her as she faces her ALS diagnosis.
What they’re saying
“She's stepping away from her dream to stare down a nightmare. Redondo says her fears are many, losing her hope and losing her voice just some of them. She says she's fighting through it by leaning on her community.”
— Heather Redondo, Choir Director
What’s next
The Towanda community is expected to hold a special event or fundraiser in the coming weeks to honor Redondo's legacy and support her and her family as she navigates her ALS diagnosis.
The takeaway
Redondo's story is a poignant reminder of the resilience and compassion of small-town communities. Despite the devastating diagnosis, the Towanda community has rallied around their beloved choir director, demonstrating the power of human connection and support in the face of life's most difficult challenges.
