Pino Uncovers Beauty Campus Minister Stephanie PinoDressman’s talent of making the mundane extraordinary extends into her artwork and relationships. BY ELLIE SCHWARTZ NEWS EDITOR
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ach school Mass, Campus Minister Stephanie Pino-Dressman’s careful hands transform the drab gym into a sanctuary of worship. Her cheerful whistle floats through the chaotic hallways. Her voice over the announcements makes the most stressful mornings a time of reflective prayer. A calming candle burns in her office after a busy day. She has a way of making the mundane or tiresome bright and positive. Pino’s talent of recognizing and creating beauty in the unexpected extends beyond her time at Sion, and it can be traced back to her appreciation of her family. Growing up in a dedicated Catholic family in New Mexico, Pino attributes her strong faith to her upbringing. She was a role model as the oldest of five and was surrounded by a largely Catholic, Hispanic population. Her grandparents laid the foundation for her parents’ and siblings’ devotion to Catholicism by always bringing their troubles to God. Her grandmother prayed for everything from the cake she was baking to her sick friend and challenged Pino’s focus on Catholicism’s rules and specifics. “I thought I was better than them because I read the Bible and knew the rules,” Pino said. “As I got older, I learned that I had the letter of the law, and they had the spirit in their hearts.” But aside from appreciating their faith, Pino is inspired by her grandparents’ work ethic and perseverance despite never receiving a traditional education. “[They only had] a grade school education, but died without debt and successfully raised their children and grandchildren,” Pino said. “They had life education.” Pino became the first person to graduate from college on both sides of her family. Having never seen the campus before, Pino arrived at Benedictine College for her freshman year with her supportive grandparents by her side. Her hardworking family
Above: Pino’s father Mariano Pino supported her in college. Right: Her great grandmother Genoveva Martinez, grandmother Jose Gonzales, and Susan Pino inspired Pino (seated right) and her sister Rozanna to work hard.
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inspired her to pursue an undergraduate degree in youth ministry despite not receiving their own degrees. Eager to branch out beyond her tight-knit town and family in New Mexico, she chose Benedictine College far away in Atchison, Kansas for its Catholic foundation. Pino later received a Masters in Arts and Liberal Studies from the University of Missouri–Kansas City at the age 52. Working tirelessly to achieve her goals is part of Pino’s DNA. After leading her church youth group in high school and organizing retreats with hundreds of attendees, Pino saw potential and value in young people in the Church. She wanted to be the voice that stood up for youth when others saw them as unrealistic or took their opinions less seriously. “I didn’t like the language of, ‘You are the future of the Church.' I thought, ‘We are the present,’” Pino said. Through leading her high school youth group, working with youth at Holy Cross Parish in Overland Park before coming to Sion and annually leading Kairos retreats, Pino is certainly the advocate and leader in the youth community that she originally dreamed of. She dedicates her life’s work to a community often overlooked by others. Pino always makes an effort to recognize the gifts of the young people she works with, writing praises in the columns of her best students’ papers and looking beyond skills measured by standardized tests such as creativity, patience and artistic talent. “I like to help young people discover their gifts, or come to help them acknowledge their gifts,” Pino said. “Some people have to be encouraged that what they have is a gift.” Similarly, Pino sees potential in seemingly useless trinkets, wrappers or twigs, using them in recycled art. Observant enough to notice if a student changes her hairstyle throughout the day, Pino uses her attention to detail to combine these discarded objects into complex abstract art pieces. She usually starts by writing a quote that reminds her of the person in her signature calligraphy before finding a complimentary treasure from her craft room and working from there. Although this craft room may look jumbled or confusing to others, Pino knows that every piece in her collection will eventually contribute to a
cohesive, meaningful work of art. “There’s so much out there that can be transformed,” Pino said of her artwork. Pino transforms daily conversation into an art as well, taking time out of her schedule to carefully listen to others’ problems and ideas. “She is very busy, but if you need to talk to her, she instantly zones in and listens to every one of your words,” senior Kelly Lowndes said. Ask anyone about Pino and you will hear about her deep consideration of others. She carefully observes the expressions of those around her and prays for them when she can tell something is wrong. “She just cares so deeply about people,” theology teacher Bonnie Haghirian said when asked her favorite thing about Pino. After seeing her family overcome educational barriers and constantly finding beauty in her environment and relationships, Pino has unshakable hope in the future. She is fascinated by people that overcome challenges, whether they are Holocaust survivors or students that manage to succeed and stay positive despite difficult home lives. “To me, hope is a big deal. It’s an action word,” Pino said. “I know things worked out in the past, and that they will work out in the future.”
