Donor Highlight: Maria Haas Tess, HA ’68

Q & A with Maria Haas Tess, HA ’68

Former Alumnae Board President and One of DSHA’s Biggest Supporters

Maria Haas Tess, HA ’68, and her husband Bill, are long-time and enthusiastic donors of DSHA, who support the school through both their treasure and time. They have invested in an endowed fund, kept DSHA in their estate plans, and have given to the DSHA Annual Fund for years, but their gifts have not stopped there. They enjoy their visits to DSHA, sometimes proudly showing off the school to friends and family. Furthermore, Tess has spent the last decade on the DSHA Alumnae Board, stepping down from her role as president and moving into an ex officio role. While the Tess’ kindness to DSHA is substantial and DSHA is thankful for them, their greatest gift is their pride in and commitment to the school and its community.

Q: You have attended Catholic schools your entire life. Why is it important to you to support all-girls, Catholic education?

A: I think a sound faith gives you such good roots for everything you will ever experience in life. I believe that a basic part of everyone’s education should be about developing spiritual convictions so that you believe in something whatever you may encounter. My husband and I have no kids, and when we sat down and decided what we were going to do with what we worked hard for, we decided education was the best way we could affect our own community and the world. I have always had strong, positive feelings about my own educational background. A girl’s teenage years are a pivotal part of her growing and maturing process. We wanted to focus on a high school, and it was no question that DSHA would be the high school we support.

Q: Describe your time at Holy Angels Academy. What is your fondest high school memory?

A: I was the only one that went to Holy Angels from my grade school St. John deNepomuc in Milwaukee. I had to start out fresh and make new friends. That was the great thing about Holy Angels — it opened your circle up to meet girls from all over the city. I was honored to be a part of the Angelaires, the audition-based group of singers. We got involved in the theatre productions and traveled.

... those four years at DSHA are a turning point for the rest of their lives and will lead them to make good choices in their future.

—Maria Tess, HA ’68

But my absolute fondest memory was after senior year throughout July and August. One of my teachers took us on a school-sponsored educational tour in Europe. It was a wonderful experience, and it gave me a knowledge of many cultures. It also taught me that if you want something badly enough, you save for it. I worked hard to save for that trip.

Q: How did Holy Angels Academy’s all-girls, Catholic environment impact you?

A: It gave me a great sense of independence, freedom, leadership skills, and the ability to stand up for issues I believed in.

Q: You’ve generously supported DSHA financially and through your time. Why is it important to you to support DSHA in both time and treasure?

A: It is very easy to sit down and write a check, but we like to be a part of and have an understanding in a school culture before we participate in funding them. With DSHA, we wanted to make sure the school was still concentrating on forming its students in faith, heart, and intellect. We found that the school was not only like it was when I attended, but it had strengthened since I had been there.

Q: You and Bill give financially to students, but you also have established a teacher compensation fund. Why are you passionate about supporting DSHA’s teachers/faculty?

A: I, but also my husband even more than myself, were really impacted by the teachers we had when we were in school. A teacher — or anybody in administration — can have such an impact on a student. We thought that would be a good place to put our support; it is where the highest impact could be made.

Q: You have spent 10 years on the Alumnae Board and held leadership roles (as secretary and president). As an alumna, why are you passionate about working to better DSHA for future students, and involving other alumnae in the process?

A: I want every young lady to experience what I was able to experience. Their family and grade schools have given them a good basis, but those four years at DSHA are a turning point for the rest of their lives and will lead them to make good choices in their future.

I work hard to get alumnae back and involved in the school again. For example, a few months ago, some of my friends from high school and I got together for lunch. Many of them have grown children and now have the financial capability to support organizations. I argue that DSHA should be a consideration.

Q: You and Bill have attended (and planned!) many DSHA events. Do you have a favorite event?

A: The event we enjoy coming to the most is the DSHA Auction. I love that night, and when it ends, I cannot wait for the event next year. We share the fun — we often buy a table and make it a family gathering or best friends gathering. Everyone has such a good time, and it gives the school exposure to some of our friends and families who know little of DSHA. It is such a wonderful evening!

When I was on the Alumnae Board, I loved planning Santa’s Workshop. It is a lot of work, but I was able to use my crafty and artistic talents. I love seeing it come together, and every year it has grown in strength and appreciation among our community members and their families. To see the joy in the little kids that participate — that is precious beyond words.

Q: What about DSHA today most impresses you?

A: It is a feeling that is hard to explain. The moment I step into the door, whoever I encounter—a custodian, student, staff, or teacher—I can feel their dedication, high principals, goals, and achievement. This does not happen often, and it is not staged at DSHA. It is genuine, and it comes from the school itself.

Q: What are your hopes for DSHA in the future?

A: I hope it continues to be a sound educational facility that directs young women to wonderful futures and goals. That is a big challenge — there is a lot going on in the world, and the dynamics of education at all levels are in question. I pray that these things do not affect the future of the school. DSHA has done well to get its message across — that all aspects of a young girl are critical. That message is more important now than it ever has been before. n