DYNAMIC DUO BRINGS HOME STATE DOUBLES TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP

The DSHA Varsity Tennis doubles team of Molly Jex, DSHA ’24, and Lizzie Stuckslager, DSHA ’26, won the WIAA Girls Tennis D1 Doubles State Championship on October 16. Entering the tournament as the fourth seed, the pair went on to defeat the sixth seed 6-2, 6-0 in the final match. This is the first state title for both Jex and Stuckslager.

“We were so successful as a team of two because we were able to tell each other what was working versus what was not. There are different aspects of our play that are stronger than the other, and we’ve learned how to compromise to keep those strengths present in the game. We kept communication clear between the two of us, and if something wasn’t working we’d come up with a solution together.”

— Molly Jex, DSHA ’24 (pictured left)

“As a freshman on the varsity team, tennis gave me a sense community at DSHA. It was nice to see my teammates in the hallway and between classes. I loved the all-day tournaments because while we played a lot of tennis, there was also a lot of downtime with the team and my doubles partner. The bond we created as a doubles team allowed me to play better throughout the season! The sense of support contributed to our successful season.”

— Lizzie Stuckslager, DSHA ’26 (pictured right)

Doubles Season Record: 29-4

Notable Recognitions for both Jex and Stuckslager

• WIAA D1 Doubles Champions

• Greater Metro Conference (GMC) Doubles Team of the Year

• Sectional #1 Doubles Runner-Up

• 1st Team All-Conference #1 Doubles

• Nominated for Girls Tennis Player of the Year by the USA Today Milwaukee HS Sports Awards

The DSHA handbell ensembles delivered some Christmas cheer throughout the Advent season. On December 1, the DSHA beginning handbell students performed for the residents of St. Anne's Salvatorian Campus. On December 3, members of the advanced handbell groups performed at the Basilica of St. Josaphat before, during, and after the 4:30 p.m. Mass.

On December 5, students showcased what they learned throughout the semester at the 6th annual DSHA HandbellPalooza Christmas concert. In addition to classic and contemporary Christmas carols, the production included a medley of songs from the films Lion King, Aladdin, and Annie

Pictured from left to right: Megan Schraufnagel, DSHA ’25 ; Molly Jex, DSHA ’24 ; Ana Sophia Phillips, DSHA ’25 ; and Maeve Steger, DSHA ’25

On December 14, DSHA hosted the Instrumental Christmas Concert. The DSHA Divine Strings performed Deck the Halls, Away in a Manger, First Snow, God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman, and The Christmas Song. The DSHA Orchestra paid tribute to John William’s 90th birthday by playing a Star Wars epic, including songs from the first six films.

On December 8, the DSHA Divine Strings also provided the instrumental music to accompany the all-school Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mass presided over by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki.

Pictured: Yessica Rodriguez, DSHA ’25 , and Lucy ApolinarHernandez, DSHA ’23

On December 11, the DSHA Camarata Choir and the Angelaires hosted the annual Choral Christmas Concert in the Robert and Marie Hansen Family Fine Arts Theatre. For the first time, the special show also included performances by the Marquette University High School Chorus.

The DSHA Camarata Choir opened the show with a South American greeting song titled Hlohonolofasta which translates to “blessed is everything in the name of Our Father.” The Angelaires brought the Christmas spirit by performing a medley of Christmas songs including It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, Silent Night, and more. To close out the show, the DSHA Angelaires were joined on stage by the MUHS Chorus for a combined performance of Dashing Through the Snow

Throughout the semester, the DSHA Angelaries also performed at various organizations including St. John Vianney in Brookfield during their Santa Brunch, the Wisconsin Club for the Christ Child Society Brunch event, St. Anthony’s on the Lake in Waukesha for the Young at Heart Christmas party, and more. They were also featured on CBS 58 during their Winter Wonders Marketplace performance at the Boerner Botanical Gardens.

Pictured front row, left to right: Maeve Pickart, DSHA ’23 ; Sera Stephenson, DSHA ’24 ; Caelinn Carraher, DSHA ’23 : Emily Fricker, DSHA ’24 ; Ella Connely, DSHA ’24 ; Analise Groh, DSHA ’24 ; and Julia Mansfield, DSHA ’24

Visual Arts students in AP Art, Drawing, and Art Studio had the opportunity to create a child’s portrait as part of the Memory Project, a youth arts organization that promotes understanding and kindness between children around the world. They mobilize artists globally to create and provide handmade portraits as special memories to children facing a variety of challenges. This fall, 25 DSHA Visual Arts students created unique portraits for 25 children from Nigeria. The project allowed students to live out the Goodness and Kindness of Jesus through their artistic talent.

Pictured: Eva Kunz, DSHA ’23 , with her completed portrait.