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Class of 2020 | Class Speakers
A Message from the Class of 2020 Graduation Speakers
Perhaps the most important milestone to mark the accomplishment of completing high school and moving toward adulthood is graduation. And at DSHA this also includes the prayerful celebration of Baccalaureate Mass. At the time of printing this magazine, these significant events have been postponed from the traditional Memorial Day weekend date due to COVID-19. They have been rescheduled with the intention of celebrating both Baccalaureate Mass and graduation over the weekend of August 1.
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Three young women from the DSHA Class of 2020 will be speaking to their class, TSC, family, friends, and loved ones at graduation. Their speeches would typically be repsented within the pages of the spring semester edition of the The Word Magazine. However, due to the delayed timing of graduation, and the goal to keep their graduation speeches confidential until the big day, they have each decided a to write a letter to commemorate their DSHA experience and those who have been a part of it.
Spirit of the Class of 2020
Jackie Gehringer, DSHA ’20, was chosen by her classmates to speak at graduation as the Spirit of the Class of 2020. She was selected for representing the essence of her class and what it truly means to be a Dasher — welcoming and caring for all, and for serving as a thread to bind the class of 2020 together.
Class of 2020 Valedictorians
Two young women from the DSHA Class of 2020 have earned the opportunity to speak at graduation as class valedictorians. Anna Klempay, DSHA ’20, and Lucia Pechloff, DSHA ’20, have worked diligently for four years toward holding the highest unweighted GPA in their class — an impressive 4.02 — while taking a minimum of four AP/accelerated/dual-credit/honors classes, as well as exhibiting good behavior.
Jackie Gehringer, DSHA , 20 Class of 2020 Spirit of the Class
University of Minnesota, Class of 2024 Area of study: Journalism
Dear TSC,
Words cannot even begin to express the gratitude we all have for you. When I was a freshman, I had no idea what to expect from the teachers and staff at DSHA. To say I was intimidated would be an understatement, but my fears and worries quickly disappeared after meeting the kind and caring people you are.
One of my favorite things about the staff at DSHA is the variety of personalities. Whether it was Mr. Berens’ monotone, dry humor; Mr. Pavlovich’s booming voice in the hallway; or Mrs. Armbruster’s friendly “hellos” every morning; you all made each and every day worth it. And no matter how it was displayed, you all showed us a warm and welcoming environment with caring smiles.
However, your true compassion and understanding was revealed when we weren’t together. While we were all stuck at home during quarantine, feeling stressed and lacking motivation at times, you all took the extra step to remind us of the support we have. I personally was blown away by the amount of faculty members that reached out to me directly. During a time that felt hopeless and confusing, the DSHA TSC members were the ones who reminded me: “I got this. We got this. We can get through this together.”
As we enter into the next phases of our lives, we will hold onto the little things you did for us. The small talk in the hallways; the reminders of our skirts being too short or our sweatshirts being out-of-uniform; the morning prayers — and so much more — will always hold a special place in our hearts. We will miss so much: going to Student Services and always having a lifesaver; seeing Mrs. Thiele and Ms. McKeown in the library and immediately lowering our voices; and trekking up the stairs to the fourth floor to see Ms. Uihlein or Mrs. McQuide for Applied Wellness. We’ll miss the lunches in various teachers’ rooms and the inside jokes that came from those lunches. And although it’s heartbreaking to think we will never have you all again to teach us or help us out with our problems, it has been an honor and privilege to have you in our lives these past four years.
We will forever be grateful for the faculty and staff at DSHA. We will never forget the amount of support we received from all of you.
With love,
Jackie Gehringer
Anna Klempay, DSHA , 20 C l a s s o f 2 0 2 0 Va l e d i c t o r i a n
University of Notre Dame, Class of 2024 Area of study: Chemical Engineering
Dear Class of 2020,
Wow! Four years have come and gone in the blink of an eye. Needless to say, our time at DSHA presented us with some of the craziest but most rewarding experiences of our lives, and I’m sure many of you have been reflecting on these times as we come to the end of our senior year. Although we may feel as if we’re missing a sense of closure without the traditional end-of-the-year festivities, everything we have learned at DSHA has prepared us for times of turbulence like this one.
We have learned how to be leaders. Even when we face seemingly insurmountable challenges, we know how to take things one day at a time and how to work as a team to get through those days together.
We have learned how to ask for help when we struggle along the way. From study halls spent in ALPHA to Dasher Times spent in Student Services, we know there is no shame in seeking guidance — and having the courage to do so will only make us stronger in the end. We have learned that our faith is one of our most important assets in navigating the complexities of everyday life. Time and time again, God has given us the courage to venture forth into unknown territory with complete trust in His ability to protect us in the face of fear.
We have come to see the true power of prayer, the beauty in forming a personal relationship with God, and the difference we can make if we keep our faith close to our hearts. We have forged a sisterhood out of this time, united as One Body in Christ, and there’s no force stronger than that.
Yes, these past four years have been crazy, and I can assure you that the next four will be full of a new set of challenges, obstacles, and roadblocks that will test our strength as well. However, DSHA has taught us that we can do anything we set our minds to, even in the face of adversity. Apply for those leadership positions, even if the odds are stacked against you. Consult your mentors when you need an extra push, even if it seems scary at first. Pray often, even if it seems that God is absent. Trust me, He’s always there.
But above all, consult your sisters in times of need! We really are One Body in Christ, and we really do not stand alone. We will always be here to support you as you take on the road ahead, and I, for one, can’t wait to see the incredible things we do.
Congratulations, ladies! Here’s to the class of 2020!
Anna Klempay
Marquette University, Class of 2024 Area of study: Pre-law
Dear Class of 2020,
It is the year 2016. Leaves gracefully fall from the trees, and they softly crunch under your shoes as you walk across the pavement. You carefully adjust the straps of your backpack and smooth out your new plaid skirt. You are about to begin your freshman year, and your heart trembles with anticipation. The unknown may make you feel anxious and scared, but I want you to know that you will become more confident in yourself with each passing day. I am here to help guide you as you begin this new chapter of your life at Divine Savior Holy Angels.
Be true to who you are! Let your opinions and values in life help show you the way when making decisions. Be honest with yourself, and do not change your appearance or personality in an attempt to please those around you. You are strong, smart, and capable of achieving anything and everything. Love yourself and be kind to yourself, for you are enough.
I ask you to be open to new experiences even if they seem intimidating at first. Do not be afraid to go outside of your comfort zone. The activities you join and opportunities you pursue may spark something within you and lead you to explore different possibilities. Find yourself. Find what makes you feel passionate. Find what grants you happiness.
Attending high school also allows you to branch out and foster lifelong friendships. Even though picking a seat in the cafeteria may seem frightening as you maneuver through a crowd of unknown faces, do not get discouraged. Take a chance! Be brave and sit next to someone! Use each moment as a way to start conversations, laugh, smile, and talk about the silliest of things. Who knows? The person that you eat lunch with today may end up becoming one of your closest friends tomorrow!
Know that you are not alone! We are all facing our own challenges and insecurities and can lean on each other for comfort. Do not hesitate to reach out to your families, your teachers, and your classmates. They want the best for you and are there to support you. All you have to do is ask.
When in doubt, I hope that you keep these suggestions in mind. Remember that you will always be able to conquer your fears and persevere. You are what makes this world beautiful!
A voice from the future,
Lucia Pechloff
