There have been Steele siblings at Shadle for 26 years, but last of 10 kids has graduated

When Nikolas Steele walked in Shadle Park High School’s commencement ceremony two weeks ago, his family didn’t shout his name. Instead, they called from the audience section, “Go, No. 10!”

It’s not the number on a sports jersey.

Nikolas is the 10th of 10 Steele siblings to graduate from Shadle Park. The school taught Steeles for 26 consecutive years. The kids participated in at least 55 athletic seasons, wrestling, playing football, running track and cross country. Most sang in the Shadle Park choir.

“I had a long legacy to live up to,” Nikolas Steele said. “I had a couple different teachers who went to high school with my brothers and sisters.”

His graduation came as a relief to Brian Steele, who works in finance, and Nancy Steele, a stay-at-home mom. The couple celebrated their 41st anniversary on June 14. For 40 of those years, they had at least one kid to care for at home, and most of them grew up in a small house on West Heroy Avenue that Brian Steele built in 1980.

“The first eight of us were pretty packed in there,” said Rocky Steele, the fourth child. “A child came and another child came, and, you know, it got time to finish those two bedrooms in the basement.”

The Steele kids stayed busy – and did a lot of activities together. Hiking. Canoeing. Piano lessons. Accompanying their father on daily runs. Joining the cross country team. Waking up early for lessons at the Mormon church. Driving around the city delivering copies of The Spokesman-Review.

All of the siblings also graduated from Finch Elementary School, and most went to Glover Middle School. All five brothers became Eagle Scouts.

When the family no longer could fit in a station wagon, Nancy Steele started driving a big, white van that previously belonged to a day care. It had four bench seats – enough room for the kids and sometimes a few friends.

Tawna Strom, the second child, said the van attracted a lot of attention, especially when the rear doors swung open in a parking lot and a group of kids flooded out.

“The windows weren’t tinted, so when we drove by, people would just turn their heads and go, ‘Whaaat?’ ” she said.

As adults, the Steele siblings still share many qualities. Since the 1980s, they’ve gathered every winter for family reunions in Spokane or their parents’ new home in Elk.

Seven siblings play the piano, and three teach it as an occupation. Four of the sisters are stay-at-home moms, and the fifth got married about a week ago. Five siblings have completed church missions, in Canada, Brazil, California, Colorado and Japan.

Nikolas – also known as No. 10 – is waiting to learn where he’ll carry out his mission. His oldest sister, Andrea (Class of 1994), teaches piano at her home in Kennewick. Tawna (1996) does the same in Spokane. Tiffany (1997) is a stay-at-home mom in Pasco. Rocky (1999) is a businessman in Pleasant Grove, Utah.

John (2002) is a senior at Washington State University. Brittney (2004) is a stay-at-home mom in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Logan (2006) is an economist in Riverton, Utah. Brian (2009) is a financial planner in Spokane. And Valerie (2011) is a college student in Salt Lake City.

Bruce Hafferkamp, Shadle Park’s athletic director, became close friends with the Steeles over many years of coaching and directing the cross country team.

“I’ve worked with the Steele family since the early 1990s,” he said. “They’re just an awesome family.”