2023-2024 Report of Appreciation by Duchesne Academy

Report of Appreciation

“Our blessings as a community are not coincidental; they are the product of our unified intentions, our communal pursuit for good through the vehicle of education.”

du Coeur (from the Heart)

This Report of Appreciation reflects the intentionality behind our community-building efforts in the 2023-2024 school year; it is a mirror held to those who have donated their energy, their ideas, their enthusiasm, and made monetary contributions to something bigger than themselves.

Like all independent schools, we solicit volunteers and encourage involvement, we host receptions and celebrate with galas, and we meet our operating costs by raising funds throughout the year. But we do so with a signature difference: St. Madeleine Sophie Barat’s firm belief in the magnanimity of Christ’s Heart that has room for us all. It is her charism that infuses the core of the Duchesne community, manifesting itself in an unrivaled outpouring of volunteerism and generosity.

Janet Erskine Stuart, RSCJ, wrote, “It is the direction of the intention which gives us unity. Direction of intention is the greatest power in our life. We are what our intentions are. We live by our intentional thoughts.” Our blessings as a community are not coincidental; they are the product of our unified intentions, our communal pursuit for good through the vehicle of education.

May this tribute to the 2023-2024 accomplishments of Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart aptly convey the depths of our gratitude for your steadfast and enthusiastic support.

A Duchesne education is one of passionate purpose. We thank you for sharing in that intention.

Grateful for your partnership,

— Hillary Feerick-Hillenbrand

To a newcomer, the level of community engagement is striking. Parents, grandparents, friends, faculty, and staff alike build relationships with intention, welcoming new families and enriching existing friendships through purposeful gatherings and deliberate care, especially in times of need. Thanks to our namesake, St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, who crossed the Atlantic to bring the spirit of the Society of the Sacred Heart to this continent, we reap the benefits of a brand of education whose mission is not a poster or a tagline, but a way of life, one that our graduates take with them into the world. You, our volunteers and donors, reflect the service leadership and intentionality of our foundresses and help our education bear fruit.

Hillary Feerick-Hillenbrand Head of School

Carmen

Hillary Feerick-Hillenbrand

Tom Imre

John Niemann

Christine ROMSDAHL ‘80

Beth Waguespack

Georgeann Parizek, RSCJ

To the Duchesne Community

This year marked a new beginning for Duchesne. We ended last year by saying farewell to Patricia Swenson, our former Head of School, while we welcomed our new Head of School, Hillary Feerick-Hillenbrand. In the first year of her headship, Hillary brought her gifts and talents to the service of our community. Her weekly communications gave focus and attention to our mission and our Sacred Heart heritage. Fundraising and enrollment continued to flourish, and programming continued to be strong and successful, especially in academics, athletics, and fine arts. The Board and the administration team continue to work closely together to plan for the future of the school, assuring the mission of Sacred Heart education will continue faithfully at Duchesne Academy.

This year will mark another transition. My time of service on the Board comes to a close on July 1, 2024. I am handing over to Larry Ziemba, who will assume the role of Board Chair at Duchesne. Larry is no stranger to Duchesne – he served for six years on the Board as a Trustee and served as Finance Committee chair for four of those years. He and his wife, Monica, are proud parents to two Duchesne alumnae, Claire, '08 and Anne, '12. In his professional career, Larry held positions of executive leadership in the energy industry and will bring those skills to the service of the school and the community. Larry is supported by an amazing group of talented and committed Trustees who selflessly give of their time, treasure, and talent to support Duchesne. I leave the school in the best of hands. In the days ahead, I hope you will join me in praying for our Head of School, the faculty, staff, administration, and Board as they shepherd our school forward in the years ahead.

Sincerely,

Sharon Beshouri Chair, Board of Trustees, 2023-2024

Mother of Madeleine GENO '16 & Eleanor GENO '19

Thank you from the Finance Committee

The charge of the Finance Committee is to monitor Duchesne’s financial activities by reviewing, analyzing, and recommending to the Board for approval the annual audit and annual budget.

The committee works with the administration prior to the approval of the annual budget by the Board to analyze budget projections, set tuition rates, review capital expenditure requests, and recommend priorities for the future. The committee also reviews and monitors investment policies and the performance of the school’s Endowment Fund and Operating Reserves account.

The Finance Committee’s efforts during 2023-2024 were focused on carrying out their fiduciary responsibility to steward all tuition and funds raised. Duchesne enrollment continues to grow, allowing the school to allocate between 8-10% of our operating budget annually, to Tuition Assistance to further the Sacred Heart mission to those students who might not otherwise be able to attend Duchesne.

Recognizing that our faculty, staff, and administration are our greatest assets, the committee focuses on continuing to allocate funds to recruit and retain the best with competitive compensation and employee benefits. This expense is the largest item in our operating budget.

An annual review of the investment policies for the Endowment and Operating Reserves investment accounts was performed, as required, by the Board. With the assistance of Vanguard, the school’s endowment fund consultant, the policy was updated to ensure long term capital growth consistent with the preservation of capital and the annual budget requirements. Despite recent market volatility, the school’s investment accounts enjoyed a year of positive performance. The Endowment ended the year with a balance of $8 million, a record valuation for the portfolio.

The 2023-2024 Finance Committee members were Tim Ruch, Sharon Beshouri, Larry Ziemba, Christine ROMSDAHL '80, John Niemann, Tom Imre, Hillary Feerick-Hillenbrand, Allison McCloskey, and Beth Waguespack.

Sincerely,

Tim Ruch

Chair, Finance Committee

Father of Lilly RUCH '21

Thank you from the Advancement Committee

Another spectacular fundraising year for Duchesne! Thanks to the many generous donors, volunteers, and staff members, Duchesne broke the Duchesne Fund record, Sporting Clays record, and Extravaganza record! From these three efforts, we raised $3,152,000. Your generosity enables us to honor St. Madeleine Sophie’s over two-hundred-year-old legacy to discover and reveal the love of God through the education of girls. A huge piece to Extravaganza’s success was the remarkable Paddles Up! Thanks to our incredibly generous families, Paddles Up raised $535,820, which allowed us to purchase a new bus for our girls and to expand the current weight and locker rooms. It is always gratifying to see what our girls are accomplishing in the classroom and out, and it reminds us of why we all work so hard, both in volunteering and in giving. Some examples from this past year include:

• The Class of 2024 earned close to $11 million in scholarship awards

• Charger athletes secured the SPC 3A championship in golf and were SPC runners-up in swimming, diving, and cross country.

• Duchesne students participated in Sacred Heart exchanges with Australia, France, Ireland, Mexico, and Spain.

• Duchesne girls were back-to-back regional champions on Mock Trial in the 2nd largest region in Texas.

• Fine Arts students showcased their artistic growth through the Middle School Night of the Arts, and the first Upper School-only musical.

This is a small sampling of the many achievements of the girls this past year. Each one is a strong reminder of why we send our girls to Duchesne, and why it is so important that we work hard to provide the funding to ensure that Duchesne is able to continue its tradition of excellence.

I, personally, want to thank Darlene Henson, Heather Rosado, Zoé BELDEN '07, and Gabi Zelaya for their dedication to the school and all the time and effort they put into reaching and surpassing their fundraising goals. Their efforts directly benefit our girls daily. I also want to thank our many volunteers who contributed to this record-breaking year. Fundraising is a team effort, and we are truly lucky to have such committed volunteers and staff.

The 2023-2024 Advancement Committee members were Jessica JOHNSTON Walsh '01, Gerald Balboa, Sharon Beshouri, Hillary Feerick-Hillenbrand, Alicia Hartsfield, Darlene Henson, Courtney Ledet, Julie McClung, and Hank Stout.

Sincerely,

Jessica JOHNSTON Walsh '01 Chair, Advancement Committee

Mother of Quinn Walsh '36

Thank you from the Technology, Buildings, and Grounds Committee

As stewards of the physical assets of Duchesne, the Technology, Building, and Grounds Committee focused its efforts on long-term planning for the school’s property and equipment, and ongoing monitoring of the annual capital budget projects. The goal of the committee is to ensure that our beautiful campus is well-maintained and is a safe environment for teaching and learning. Decision making is guided by an annual review of the five-year repair and replacement of existing assets, along with future plans for campus development.

An information technology audit was completed by Educational Collaborators to review the current IT infrastructure, curriculum, and programming. The audit made recommendations to be implemented by the new Head of Information Technology and Innovation, Simon Keating, to provide vision in an ever-changing world of technology.

The committee also identified some significant facility repairs to take place over the coming year to maintain and upgrade the facilities of the school. Areas addressed in the plan include HVAC system upgrades, bayou erosion mitigation, security and campus protection enhancements, and ongoing renovations such as classroom reconfiguration and Athletics facility updates. The repairs will be financed by the school’s operating budget and Plant Fund reserve, which is funded in part by the facilities fund fee charged to all incoming students.

Also, as outlined in the Duchesne Strategic Plan, Envision 2022, the committee continues to concentrate on finding solutions to the space limitations physically imposed on the school. These efforts are directed at expanding and/or reconfiguring the existing site plan to include options to expand classroom space, fine arts, and athletic facilities.

The 2023-2024 Technology, Buildings, and Grounds Committee members were Kristin England, Natalie Agee, Tim Ruch, Sharon Beshouri, Cathleen Lynch-Linkenauger, Hillary Feerick-Hillenbrand, Tom Womack, and Beth Waguespack.

Sincerely,

Kristin Zembeck England

Chair, Technology, Buildings, and Grounds Committee

Mother of Grace ENGLAND '21

COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS 2024

"Clichés"

May 17, 2024

Kelli KICKERILLO,

Duchesne Class of 1999

Clichés are what you write when you don’t have the energy or inspiration to think of a new way to express an idea. It’s a phrase or opinion that is overused:

You can’t judge a book by its cover

The grass is always greener on the other side

Ignorance is bliss

Read between the lines

A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step Love is blind

A leopard doesn't change its spots

Think outside the box

Time flies

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree

There’s no “I” in “team”

When it rains it pours

Okay…maybe a lack of original thought. But you know what? A lot of these are true. They are common lines of inspiration read to graduates. Whether in the simple form I just read, or in a more elaborate explanation carefully disguised using different words, so no one is the wiser and thinking that the speaker is just reading you this list like I did. The thing about clichés…they’re true.

Ignorance is bliss: You can happily walk into your Global Studies class, ready to have a regular discussion and lesson with your teacher, and BOOM! Pop quiz. You sure were blissfully ignorant to the fact that the teacher was going to spring that quiz on you.

Let’s take time flies: Think back—you are four years old, dressed in dress uniform, and it’s the first week of May. You’re walking to the chapel to watch your first May Crowning, then you blink and you’re sitting in a white dress with a lace crown on your head listening to me talk about clichés. Those 14 years sure flew by!

So, I come to you today, the graduates of the Duchesne

Academy class of 2024, not to spew clichés all over your celebration. I come to you to make you recognize that there are phrases, methods of doing things, traditions, and ceremonies that we perform, practice, create, that may seem uninspired, unoriginal, elementary, or even just plain dumb—clichés—but at the root: they are true. They are meaningful. And they last.

My name is Kelli Kickerillo. I am a graduate of the Duchesne Academy class of 1999. And I grew up on this lawn, in front of these buildings, learned clichés in these classrooms, practiced traditions walking these halls, absorbed lessons sitting over there in that auditorium, and graduated in that gym because it rained on my graduation day. I was guided by the Goals and Criteria of the Sacred Heart that were instilled in me for 13 years on this campus…and they last, too.

I graduated from Duchesne, and I didn’t go very far: only about eight miles down Memorial Drive to the University of St. Thomas. I learned a lot there. I honed some skills that I use every day in my job working in my family’s land development and home building business. I kept learning on the job after I got my undergraduate degree. I got married to an incredible man. I had a baby who is now an incredible little boy. I keep learning. I keep honing skills, I keep parenting, traveling, meeting new people; I keep cultivating new relationships. But this place—the Goals I learned from these religious women, my incredible teachers and the staff around campus, the parents of my friends—they have been the most important lessons of my life. Each of you today will go off and conquer the world in the way you were born to, but I promise, being a graduate of Duchesne Academy will be something that defines you forever.

“How silly?”

“How short sighted?”

“How small?”

“My Lower School, Middle, or Upper School is what will

define me?”

Well, here’s the thing: the Goals and Criteria of the Sacred Heart—no matter what religion you practice, no matter what God you pray to—these Goals give you a foundation of faith, intellect, social awareness, community, and personal growth. I promise these are the most important values of life. They are the five mainstays I know I can count on and come back to when life is giving me an easy time or a hard time! My father says: “if you have a good family, your resources are pretty stable, and you find a way every day to enjoy your life, quit looking.” And I live by these words from him and by the Goals. These ideas share the same principle. Quit looking. I am not saying to not explore, learn, invent, or conquer; I am simply saying that you have a foundation that is solid because of Duchesne and the education you received here, and it will serve you beautifully in life. Thank your parents or whoever helped you get to Duchesne. Thank them like I thank my parents for the gift of being a Child of the Sacred Heart. I promise this foundation will stand the test of time.

So, you heard an abridged version of my life story: Came here at five and now, at 42, I am right back here. Oh boy, now I’m sounding like a cliché. Predictable.

Small town. Didn’t go to an Ivy. Didn’t get a PhD. Haven’t won an Oscar or the Nobel Prize. I am not a doctor or a lawyer. But I have lived every day being the best person I can be. I know the value of hard work, the importance of family that was modeled every day to me by my mom and dad, the joy in learning new skills. I give my time to others and causes that I believe in, I put my son first, and I know that when in doubt, I can talk to my God, and He will listen. The Goals are alive in my daily life, and that’s enough of an accomplishment for me, even if it is sort of a cliché.

But you know what? I think each of you graduating tonight already know that you’ve witnessed and learned something very special here at Duchesne. Most of you will go on to live much bigger lives than I live, but you know that the Goals are a good foundation.

A few weeks ago, I asked to meet with some of this year’s graduates. I asked to meet with lifers and students who were in leadership roles for this class. I wanted to see how very different 1999 and 2024 are. I was a lifer (okay full disclosure: almost…I started in kindergarten!), and I was the president of my junior and senior classes. So, I wanted to see what 25 years of change looked like. I wanted to see how someone with the same Duchesne resume as mine looked today. I knew that on paper we are the same, but in reality, my 90's high school experience was very different from a modern, post-Covid high school experience where you learn by a MOD in bins, and I learned by trimester in periods.

Well, here’s another cliché: the more things change the more they stay the same. At least at Duchesne. The moment the seniors walked in the room…the Goals hit me in the face. Extreme intellect, dedication to their community, genuine faith, empathy for others, and conviction of self were all embodied in your fellow classmates. Naturally. They spoke up. They asked me questions. They weren’t demure. They didn’t make themselves small in front of a much older woman. They told me they wanted to learn, and they also

delighted in the excitement of learning. The group described your class as unexpected, as being connected, as opposites attract, and a mesh of personalities. They said that the 72 of you are charismatic, fun, full of tenacity. You get things done and are the perfect tornado who would be very missed. They also shared how much they wanted to stay in touch after graduation. Almost instantly, I saw myself in all of them. I saw my friends, my classmates in all of them. I am not afraid to talk. My friends and I are not afraid to disagree with people. We are not afraid to compliment people. We are open to new ideas and want to make whatever experiences we have better. We are Duchesne girls. When we met, this group of seniors showed me who they are and who you are as the Class of 2024. We share so many of the same qualities as Children of the Sacred Heart. These qualities are solidified by the traditions of Congé, powder puff football, Goûter, Espacio, senior pranks, and wearing that white crown. These qualities begin here at Duchesne. Every day, little by little, Duchesne girls absorb a type of “no fear” that I don’t see in others. So collectively, we are a product of the Goals.

All of this to say: the Goals and Criteria of the Sacred Heart, after so many days of tests and projects and games and assessments and celebrations, might have become hidden or less prominent to you as seniors, but they are still there. Holding their truth, guiding you. I challenge you to see the Goals in your life after today. Let them start getting bigger when you need them, uncover them again in 20 or 30 years when you are trying to teach your son about wise freedom playing MLB the Show like I do! Exercise those social awareness muscles that became so well defined during your social awareness projects. Enjoy lifelong learning and uncover the similarities and differences in people who are different from you. I challenge you to try to see the truth in clichés. Enjoy the mundane, repeat silly phrases, continue traditions, take these Goals learned here and OVERUSE them. They will serve you well, they are true, and they last.

L-R: Natalia Reyes, Blake Blanton, Bea Maruri, Emme Prendki, Pia Hagemeister, Mikah Kreuzer

A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.

Hannah Thompson

Class of 2024 Valedictorian

Texas A&M University

Andrea Lessmann Class of 2024 Salutatorian University of Notre Dame

The Class of 2024

L-R: Sophia Rivera and Peighton Riha

We share this list in celebration of our 2021-2024 graduates and the continuation of their academic journeys. At Duchesne, fit, which is multi-dimensional and individually assessed, is the ultimate outcome of the college application process. Our goal is that all students look back on their college search with pride and move forward with confidence. Wherever they ultimately go, we want them to continue to cultivate and carry with them the Sacred Heart Goals and Criteria they have made their own. Schools in bold signify Class of 2024 matriculations.

Allegheny College

Arizona State University, Phoenix

Arizona State University, Tempe

Auburn University (2)

Babson College

Baylor University (4)

Belmont University

Blinn College (2)

Boston College

Boston University

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Carnegie Mellon University

Case Western Reserve University

Catholic University of America

Claremont McKenna College

Clemson University

College of William & Mary

Colorado School of Mines

Colorado State University

Cornell University

Culinary Institute of America

Dalhousie University

Denison University

DePaul University

Drexel University

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott

Fordham University

George Washington University

Holy Cross College

Houston Christian University

Louisiana State University (2)

Loyola Marymount University

Loyola University Chicago

Loyola University New Orleans

Mississippi State University

Mount Holyoke College

New York University

Northeastern University

Northwestern University

Oberlin College

Purdue University

Randolph-Macon College

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rhodes College

Rice University (2)

Rollins College

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Saint Mary's College

Sam Houston State University

Savannah College of Art and Design

School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Seattle University

Sewanee: The University of the South Shenandoah University

Southern Methodist University (5)

Southwestern University

St. Edward's University

Stephen F. Austin State University

Sweet Briar College

Texas A&M University, College Station (5)

Texas A&M University, Galveston

Texas Christian University (3)

Texas State University

Texas Tech University

The American University of Paris

The University of Findlay

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (2)

The University of Texas, Arlington

The University of Texas, Austin (8)

The University of Texas, Dallas

The University of Texas, San Antonio (2)

Trinity University (2)

Tulane University

United States Air Force Academy

United States Military Academy

University of Alabama, Birmingham

University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa

University of Arizona

University of Arkansas

University of California, Davis

University of Chicago

University of Colorado, Boulder

University of Dallas

University of Florida

University of Georgia

University of Houston (2)

University of Miami

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

University of Mississippi

University of Missouri, Columbia

University of New Mexico

University of North Carolina

School of the Arts

University of Notre Dame

University of Oklahoma (4)

University of St. Thomas

University of Virginia

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Utah Valley University

Valencia College

Vanderbilt University

Villanova University

Washington University in St. Louis

Wittenberg University

Xavier University of Louisiana

DANCE

This was the first year using the Patricia Swenson Dance Studio. Our large new dance space gives our dancers room to excel and gives us the flexibility to schedule Middle School and Upper School dance classes at the same time.

MUSIC

THEATER

Fine Arts

Music students in all divisions participated in the Houston music scene by singing the National Anthem at Minute Maid Park, attending performances at the Houston Grand Opera, and caroling at local retirement centers.

In additional to our All-School Musicals, we produced our first-ever Upper School Musical, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, allowing our musical theater students to experience smaller, ensemble-driven musicals.

Visual Arts

Students submitted work to many different art shows, including the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo and the MHA Youth Art Showcase. One Middle School student's work was even selected for display at the Houston Health Museum.

Christmas Dance Show

Upper School students in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown

Middle School Students in A Wrinkle in Time

87% of Middle School students participate in at least one sport

SPC 4A RUNNER UP

Upper School Swimming and Diving

SPC 3A CHAMPION

Upper School Golf

First SPC Championship in School History

4 SENIORS

Committed to playing a sport at the next level

• University of California, Davis: Field Hockey

• Babson College: Track

• Holy Cross College: Soccer

• Randolph-Macon: Swimming

67% of Upper School students participate in at least one sport

SPC 3A RUNNER UP

Upper School Cross Country

HJPC CHAMPION

Middle School Cross Country

Upper School

Active Faith

Students are actively involved in celebration of Masses as alter servers, readers, gift bearers, and, in Grade 12, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.

Students plan and lead prayer services throughout the year and during assemblies each week.

Grade-level retreats and 16 Theology courses provide additional opportunities for the exploration of students' individual faith.

Intellectual Values

Duchesne welcomed over 150 colleges and universities to meet with Upper School students.

Duchesne offers a robust curriculum, with 20 AP courses, 13 Advanced courses, and over 80 electives.

Duchesne partners with the University of St. Thomas and Rice University to offer dual credit courses.

Social Awareness

In Grades 11 and 12, service is woven into the curriculum, but multiple service opportunities are offered to all grades throughout the year.

Upper School students volunteer throughout our Houston community where they bond and care for others, from students to those in assisted living.

Building Community

Our students are grouped with Lower School students to form chapel families. Together, they celebrate Mass, cheer during pep rallies, and give back during social awareness experiences.

Sophie's Space provides a smaller, close-knit group experience where students are guided by their faculty advisor as they explore interests, develop a strong sense of self, and connect with their peers.

Personal Growth

Upper School provides over 100 leadership opportunities through service, clubs, student government, and athletic teams.

With over 50 clubs, all proposed and led by students, it is clear that Duchesne honors “voice and choice” in supporting students’ ideas to empower them to make meaningful changes within our community.