A Life Lived at Trinity: A Conversation with Michele Runo

For 30 years, Michele Runo was more than a teacher at Trinity Catholic School; she was a foundational part of its history. Starting in January 1976, when the school was still known as Blessed Sacrament, Michele taught first, second, and fourth grade. She saw the school grow, helped name it Trinity Catholic School, and even watched as her own children, Brittany and Gregory, made their way through the hallways and into successful adulthood.

"My kids got a wonderful education here," she says, recalling a Leon High School teacher who praised Brittany's study habits. This a testament to Trinity's mission to lay a foundation of Christian maturity, integrity, and knowledge. Brittany, a Big Bend volleyball player of the year, is now the Chief Strategy Officer at the Florida Sheriffs Risk Management Fund. Her husband, John O’Neill, also has strong ties to Trinity, having served as a PE teacher and athletic director. Her son, Gregory, is a Chief Warrant Officer in the U.S. Coast Guard, having dedicated 27 years to service.

A Teacher's Journey and Enduring Friendships

Throughout her career, Michele found a family in her fellow teachers. She fondly remembers working with colleagues like Phyllis Kupizewski, Carol Pannell, and Jan Jarrett, with whom she coordinated learning strategies for younger students. She also recalls moments of shared experience, like going to three different churches in a single weekend with Jennifer Llewellyn to see their students make their First Communion. The bonds extended beyond the classroom; Michele mentions a conference trip with Fran Hudson, Ann Megargee, and Carol Pannell that included a memorable visit to Epcot.

The community's support was a constant theme in her stories, and a large part of that support came from her husband, Ray, of 50 years. Ray, a former Tallahassee Police officer, was also deeply involved with the school. He served on the School Advisory Council, advocated for teachers' salaries, and even created a school safety flip chart that remains the basis for Trinity's security procedures today. This family-like atmosphere made her feel like "most of my life was here."

Building a Legacy: From Flooding to a Cafeteria

Michele’s tenure spanned decades of change, including a long-standing challenge with water drainage. She vividly remembers a classroom in the now-demolished Building C that would flood on the first day of school. "I'm sitting at my desk, and the water started coming in," she recalls. "I was sweeping water out into the hallway." Today, that same area is being prepared for the construction of a new cafeteria and gymnasium, a project that began with water mitigation to solve the flooding problem once and for all.

The new cafeteria is a dream come true for Michele, who recalls the old lunch process. With no cafeteria, students either brought their lunch or received an order of milk or juice to go with their meals. Students would eat in the classroom, outside at picnic tables, or, on bad weather days, at their desks. "Eating in the classroom takes a lot of time away from the academic schedule," she explains, noting the time spent cleaning up spills. It also limited socialization, as students were confined to their own small groups.

Michele believes the new cafeteria will be a huge benefit for both students and parents. It will give students a much-needed break from the classroom, a space for larger group socialization, and a chance to make healthier food choices. For parents, it will alleviate the daily pressure of making lunches. "It'll certainly help the parents, because parents have so much going on these days," she says.

Michele Runo's time at Trinity was marked by a commitment to Christian values, a passion for teaching, and a deep appreciation for the community that supported her. Her stories of growth, shared memories, and a new cafeteria project are a reminder that while some things change, the heart of Trinity remains the same.