The Amazing Class of 2021

SENIORS’ GRIT INSPIRES A NEW CLASS OF DUCHESNE ATHLETES

By Kevin Van Winkle

Getting up after a rough play is one thing, it’s another to keep competing when your entire season feels upside down. Cardinal athletes dealt with challenges no classes had ever seen before on their way to stellar seasons. Seniors gracefully shouldered the task of leading underclasswomen away from competition to build community in addition to leading them during meets, games, and matches.

Ally Parra and Wendy Pflug, both A’21, led the way as the basketball team doubled its win total from last season. The team also made an inspired run in the postseason before falling to Gross Catholic in the B1 Subdistrict Final.

June Mullen A’24, set new school records for assists in a single game (10) and a season (71), finishing among the state leaders in that category. Nicky Huss A’23, was among the state leaders in rebounds and 3-point percentage. Both were named to the RCC All-Conference Honorable Mention team.

In the pool, Anna Kwong A’21, capped off a historic diving career finishing fifth in the state. Her performance, along with Lia Murray’s A’22, top-3 finishes in the 100m free style and 200m backstroke races helped lead the Cardinals to finish as the top-Class B team for the second consecutive year (12th overall). Kwong has committed to dive at Texas Christian University next year.

Blending art and physical ability, the Duchesne dance team relied on team chemistry and long hours in the studio to perfect their choreography. They were heartbroken when they learned they could not dance for their classmates at volleyball or basketball games nor at Mount Michael football games last fall. They did not, however, let their disappointment dampen their spirit. Coaches Sally and Meg Banghard along with seniors Clare Lisec, Dottie Roland, Olivia Soukup, and Mary Testa led the team to a dazzling fourth place finish at the State Pom competition.

2020 Revision of the Goals and Criteria

By Eric Krakowski

Duchesne educators continue to implement the 2020 revision of the Sacred Heart Goals and Criteria to continue to shape and direct schoolwide progress in such areas as faith formation, recruitment, curriculum, student life, and all aspects of growth and interaction within the school community.

All members of the 25 Network of Sacred Heart Schools participated in a two-year process to revise the Goals and Criteria, the principles that guide all Sacred Heart Education in the United States and Canada. Since their implementation in 1975, the Goals and Criteria have been revised every 15 years in an effort to respond to the needs of an ever-changing world. Through the guidance of a revision committee, Duchesne faculty and staff participated in this process and offered their contributions for consideration.

The Provincial Team of the Society of the Sacred Heart unveiled in December 2020, the newest manifestation of the Goals and Criteria. While the Five Goals themselves remain unchanged, some key revisions to the Criteria include the call to “deepen the interior life,” the integration of “innovation and collaboration, critical thinking and problem solving,” the need for schools to “accept accountability for the care of God’s creation,” the challenge to “eradicate outdated social structures, practices, systems, and values that perpetuate racism and other injustices,” and the promotion of “spiritual, intellectual, physical and socialemotional well-being.”

THANKS, COACH!

Please join us in sending our best wishes to Coach Stacey Paladino A’06. She will be leaving Omaha after this school year.

She has coached softball and basketball at Duchesne since 2013 and was our head softball coach for the last six years. She is a member of our Athletic Hall of Fame as an athlete.

Sustainability Update

By Eric Krakowski

Duchesne has earned a third consecutive Energy Star rating by the Environmental Protection Agency. The achievement is the latest in a series of sustainability milestones for the school.

The EPA awarded Duchesne in February an Energy Star rating of 92 for the year 2020. The rating recognizes that the building is more energy efficient than 92 percent of similar properties nationwide, a remarkable feat for an institution dating back to 1881. Duchesne’s solar panel array continues to provide the STEAM Lab with a source of renewable energy. Since its installation in the fall of 2019, the solar panels have produced nearly 12 megawatts of clean energy. The carbon offset of this effort is the equivalent of planting 161 trees or not driving a midsized car for an entire year.

To promote good hygiene during the pandemic, all school lunches this year are packaged in the cafeteria and distributed to students in their socially distanced classrooms. Duchesne mitigated the amount of waste it created by ensuring all containers and utensils used in the lunch program are 100% compostable. Compost is collected twice weekly and delivered to Hillside Solution’s commercial compost facility as part of Duchesne’s ongoing “zero waste by 2030” commitment.

The Amazing Class of 2021

By Laura McKee Hickman Ed.D, A'85

Of course, every class at Duchesne is amazing. We have been blessed every year with some of the top students in the state, top athletes, top artists, and every day we are blessed with the most amazing young women who create a community known around the city for generosity, love, faith, hard work, and sisterhood.

But just for a moment, allow me to say wonderful things about the 84 members of the class of 2021:

• Forty-one students, nearly half of the class, were honored as members of Cum Laude, our school’s top honor society for their grades, leadership and service. Many more who did not earn Cum

Laude missed the selection criteria by small margins. • Seven are National Merit finalists and two are commended scholars. • They founded Duchesne’s UNICEF club. • They organized a Fair-Trade certification for Duchesne. • Two were QuestBridge© scholars. • Twenty earned a 32 or higher on the ACT. A perfect score is 36. • Planners (and then replan) a woman suffrage centennial, including the writing, staging and videotaping of their own film on the topic. • Ninety-six percent of the class raised their cumulative average from junior year to first semester senior year, and the other four percent maintained their cumulative grade point average. • Every senior was on the honor roll first semester and third quarter. • One of two Nebraska seniors selected for the U.S. Senate Youth

Program is a member of A’21. • Seventy percent of the class played a sport their senior year; 15 percent of the class plays multiple sports. • At least five students have committed to play a sport in college. • At least ten All-Conference Athletes and 23 Academic

All-Conference Athletes have been named, and we expect many more in the spring sports.

Most impressively, the class of 2021 accomplished this during one of the most difficult years for education and emotional health for teens. These women have proven their focus and resilience; they let nothing stand in their way!

QuestBridge© Scholars

By Frances Smyth Swanson

Jayleesha Cooper and Shyenne Starks have together accomplished a feat rarely seen at American high schools: they have each earned full college tuition scholarships through the QuestBridge© National College Match program.

Out of an applicant pool of more than 18,500 students just eight percent were selected for a NCM scholarship. Those familiar with the QuestBridge© program say it’s rare for two recipients to be from the same high school class.

The Match Scholarship is offered as part of a financial aid package provided by the institution that covers the full cost of attendance, including tuition, room and board, books and supplies, and travel expenses.

Cooper plans to attend the University of Chicago while Starks will attend Brown University. Each say in addition to Duchesne’s rigorous academic course work, the school’s service and spiritual offerings gave them added confidence during the application process.

“I felt prepared for the service portion of the application because of Duchesne’s dedication to making sure that we complete service hours consistently,” Cooper said.

Starks says she gained a perspective about the world while participating in Duchesne’s silent retreat.

“I was able to appreciate the beauty around me and to just relax. It was mind blowing and changed the way that I looked at things from then on,” Starks said.

Starks plans to pursue a Ph.D in math and computer science and hopes to one day work at NASA. Cooper plans to study sociology and political science and hopes to continue on to law school. Both students credit their Duchesne teachers with pushing them to stay focused and motivated, especially while learning remotely.

Seniors Shyenne Starks (left) and Jayleesha Cooper (above) have both earned full college tuition scholarships through the QuestBride © National College Match program.

Sarah Stormberg A'05 is the founder of parental leave startup company called Nutshell that helps people navigate benefits. She realized expecting parents struggle to cobble together shortterm disability insurance, employer paid leave, PTO, FMLA and quickly expanding state paid leave legislation. After many interviews, it was clear this was a massive headache for big and small companies. The confusion is costly and when she learned working parents were missing out on thousands of dollars and precious time bonding with their newborn, she pitched a “TurboTax for parental leave” startup idea to TD Ameritrade executives.

Two years later Stormberg leads a digital product development for one of life’s most important financial moments, the birth of a new baby. The solution offers users a customized parental leave plan to help parents spend more time bonding with their newborn, save money and increase wealth for their household - starting with the assurance they’re receiving maximum parental leave benefits. Nutshell is currently designed to help expecting parents in New York State, but looks forward to being able to expand across the country. On the side she is helping with “FamTech startups” (businesses that join forces to support families) with UX research and marketing, in the hope of helping busy parents raise happy and healthy kids.

Chelsea Mann Burdic A'08 was recently promoted to Central Receiving and Distribution Manager at Borsheims. Chelsea started her Borsheims career in 2011 as an associate in the Central Receiving Department, progressing to senior associate and supervisor before this promotion to manager. Chelsea attended Creighton University and is currently attending Bellevue University for an MBA. Chelsea is also obtaining her Graduate Gemologist certification. Chelsea reflects on how Duchesne impacted her career: "My education at Duchesne played a big part in the development of my confidence and sense of self which have contributed to my successes in life. When I evaluate where I am and how I got here, I cannot overlook the presence of strong women and female empowerment. My mom, first and foremost, has role-modeled for me what it means to be an accomplished woman, both at home and at work. My boss at Borsheims, Devon, an amazing woman in her own right, has been a mentor and true friend to me throughout my career. Underlying it all is the education and formation I received at Duchesne. Duchesne was more than just a high school for me, it was a place that I could learn and grow and where I always felt supported. Through the years, Duchesne faculty members and fellow classmates have continued to champion me and for these bonds, I am forever grateful."

Joan Kathol Sabott A'95 and Julie Wilwerding Gortemaker A'01 volunteering at COVID-19 vaccine clinic in Grand Island, NE

College seniors Lauren Kubat A'17 and Olivia Stanek A'17 became part of a long-standing tradition when they were selected for UNL’s Homecoming Court 2020. Applicants were required to submit their achievements in one of three areas: academic success, athletic contribution and impact, or leadership in organizations within or outside the university community. Competition was intense. Only 20 men and women were chosen out of the thousands who applied. The Court was elected by the student body in late October and recognized during halftime of the Nebraska-Penn State football game on November 14.

Olivia, whose parents are Mark and Amy Stanek, is in communications studies. Lauren, daughter of Barry and Michelle Kubat, chosen Queen of the Court, is a double major in accounting and management. Both students aspire to continue their studies in law school upon graduation. Congratulations to two very outstanding Duchesne alums! Olivia Gardiner A'14 was part of a three-member University of Minnesota Law School mock trial team that recently won the American College of Trial Lawyers/Texas Young Lawyers Association Region 12 mock trial competition. The team will advance to the national competition and will compete against the best trial advocacy programs in the country. The ACTL/TYLA National Trial Competition is the largest law school mock trial competition in the nation, attracting teams from more than 140 law schools and involving more than 1,000 law students each year. Olivia is in her last semester of law school.

Hannah Lingo A'14 was recently elected President of the Pharmacy and Health Professions Student Government (PHPSG) at Creighton University. Hannah obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science and Pre-Health Professions from Creighton in 2019, and is working toward her Doctorate of Physical Therapy with plans to graduate in 2023.

KEEP US UPDATED!

Send your news and photos to:

Alumnae Relations Director, Trisha Clark Meehan A'04 at tmeehan@duchesneacademy.org

Save the Date | September 10-11 REUNION 2021

Young Alumnae Reflections

Gibby and Lexie Ryan A'15

The twin Ryan girls both completed their first two years of schooling at University of Nebraska-Lincoln prior to completing their BSN degrees at UNMC. Gibby and Lexie now work in the Cardiac Care Unit at Children’s Hospital. Their journey to nursing was inspired by Gibby’s own health history with a complex heart issue and many surgeries and medical procedures. Gibby and Lexie were chosen by Frieda Rothman jewelry to represent their Women of Faith campaign, with some proceeds from the jewelry sales going to Children’s Hospital, Saint Margaret Mary’s Church, and Duchesne. Gibby says, “Duchesne prepared me for my career in more ways than I can count. Duchesne taught me time management and confidence, among many other skills. All of these skills go hand-in-hand with the Sacred Heart goal of "Personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom." I have had to gain confidence in an ICU atmosphere so I can advocate for my kids who cannot advocate for themselves. I am also a lead on our stepdown unit, and I've had to quickly learn how to organize our morning rounds while also being a helping hand for the other nurses on the unit. I continue to grow these skills everyday at work, but I am grateful for the foundation Duchesne provided me.”

Lexie reflects, “I would not be the nurse that I am today without the foundation I received at Duchesne. I remember my first year of college seeing a lot of my classmates and friends struggling to study or write papers when I was always confident in my work. High school was not easy for me, but because I had to work so hard to maintain good grades while being a student athlete, it taught me how to be a good student, good at time management, and good with my communication. Now that I am a nurse, my whole job is time management, critical thinking, and good communication skills. Duchesne is where I was able to build a strong foundation not only in school but also work. I’m so lucky to have had the experience I did from Duchesne. Duchesne is a place and still is a place where women are able to be unique and smart and faith-filled and whatever else without any repercussions. I remember going to school with some of the most strong-willed, intelligent women and I’m thankful for every one of them for making me who I am today!”

Grace Helton A'19

After graduating in May 2019 with my class at Duchesne, I started the new, exciting and definitely scary journey of my gap year with AmeriCorps. I left the day after my 18th birthday, and my long flights down to Mississippi gave me time to think back on my four years at Duchesne, as well as the unknown path I was quickly approaching. Soon I received a reality check with what my new life was going to be. I turned in my full dress days for a tool belt and a pair of steel toed boots. I was selected to be a part of the construction team, and as soon as our training was complete in Mississippi, seven strangers and I were sent to Florida to work in the grueling sun for two months with Habitat for Humanity.

I was named Assistant Team Leader (ATL) by my Team Leader (TL), which gave me more of a managerial position on the team and made me his second in command. When needing to have difficult conversations with my fellow team members, I looked back on the skills and advice I was given by Mrs. Cristina Hiddleston in Conflict Engagement. To use the skills I was taught and developed at Duchesne was a fairly frequent practice for me, even if it was just remembering to wear the right uniform attire as Ms. Martha Heck always so fondly reminded me to do. As my time continued in AmeriCorps, those seven strangers became my family as we travelled across the U.S. together. Whether it was trying to stay warm working in a blizzard on the coast of Massachusetts, fostering a stray dog together in Kentucky, or returning to Florida for a second time and all sleeping on cots in one room. Too soon our journey came to an end, as many others did last year, when COVID-19 sent us home right before we were to go to Mobile, Alabama. Too soon I found myself on a flight back to Omaha thinking back on my time in AmeriCorps, just how I had done 8 months earlier thinking back on Duchesne.

When returning back home, I received the unexpected news from my TL that I had won Corps Member of the Year. I was selected due to nominations from sponsors in different states, staff on campus, my team leader, and my fellow Corps Members. It was rewarding to be able to receive something for my sleepless nights, my paperwork filled weekends and, in a sense, a service to the impoverished communities in America.

While my time in AmeriCorps was extremely challenging, nothing could have prepared me more than my four years at Duchesne. Goal Five, "A personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom," was the main goal I carried with me through my experience with AmeriCorps. Not only was it a motivation to continue to grow into who I was becoming as a young woman but, it was a constant reminder that I would always carry a little bit of Duchesne with me wherever I went. There are so many connections I could make between Duchesne and AmeriCorps, but I simply do not have enough space. However, I will leave you with this. I am eternally grateful to every single person who makes Duchesne, Duchesne. I am the woman I am today because of what Duchesne ensures us with our first step into the building.

Duchesne Families Celebrate a Windshield Wonderland

By Trisha Clark Meehan A'04

When kids tell Santa what they want for Christmas they are not supposed to be wearing a seatbelt. But like nearly all things in 2020, a visit with Saint Nick and Duchesne’s annual Holiday Mass had to be reimagined.

The Alumnae Board Holiday Mass committee (Lori Kennedy Schmaderer A’90, Kristin Stoesz Pratt A’00, Colette Hughes Martin A’99, Carolyn German Silliman A’10, Elisabeth Barrett A’11) redesigned a safe, family friendly event so children could still see Santa and alumnae could return to see Duchesne decorated for Christmas.

Families arrived for a drive-by donut and a socially distant Santa wave. Before the event began on Sunday, December 6, 2020, our Duchesne community received a fun surprise in their email inboxes: our friend Kevin Schneider, S.J., reading A Nativity Story.

The Alumnae Board provided Pettit’s Pastry donuts for families to enjoy while they wound through the parking lot waiting to see Santa. Along the way, they stopped to donate a new toy to Child Saving Institute and receive a “Duchesne Winter Bucket List” handout.

The last stop was Santa! We were delighted to welcome our usual Santa Wes, and he was thrilled to have the opportunity to see our kids this year after most of his usual events were cancelled. Children were able to say hello to Santa in a safe way and hand deliver their letters to him. Each child received a reply to the letter just in time for Christmas.

It was truly a magical event.

Genevieve M aliszewski a’04 to z achary slocuM MereDith Pentzien a’09 to christoPher walDref

Alumnae Weddings

Alumnae Babies

b Stephanie Bruckner Karabatsos A’00, a son, Stavro c Lauren Dahlquist Lier A’10, a daughter, Nora Elizabeth d Kathleen Connor Parizek A’07, a son, Michael Patrick e Mary Evans Ritzdorf A’07, a daughter, Genevieve Margaret f Jenni Pick Rudersdorf A’98, a son, Julien Robert

B D

E

MEET THE 2020-2021 DUCHESNE COLLEGE AND ACADEMY ALUMNAE BOARD

By Trisha Clark Meehan A'04

Last issue we featured the Alumnae Board Leadership; meet the rest of the Alum Board . . .

PRESIDENT

Elisabeth Barrett A'11

PRESIDENT-ELECT

Julia Robinson McCarville A'04

SECRETARY

Dorian Hill Stanfield A'90

TREASURER

Jane Zents Kelley A'65, C'69

ALUMNAE DIRECTOR EMERITA

Mary Pat Ryan, RSCJ, C'56

LIAISON TO SCHOOL – ALUMNAE RELATIONS DIRECTOR

Trisha Clark Meehan A'04

BOARD MEMBERS:

Emily Friel Barr A'05 Kathleen Guilfoyle Brady C'70 Erica Brown Bryant A'97 Sarah Langdon David A'75 Katie Dixon Desantis A'96 Alex Emig A'10 Bridget Wilwerding Flaherty A'04 Paige Peterson Hardy A'96 Alicia Smith Hollins A'97 Kate Nelson Holthaus A'11 Stacia Kulas Hoover A'90 Charon Pound Kupfer C'70 Kathryn Lundgren A'11 Colette Hughes Martin A'99 Molly Minturn A'91 Trish Nipp A'78 Kristin Stoesz Pratt A'00 Maureen Meyer Raynor A'04 Jenni Pick Rudersdorf A'98 Elizabeth Fairchild Schaben A'91 Lori Kennedy Schmaderer A'90 Carolyn German Silliman A'10 Jessica Steffen A'01 Julie Dineen Swartz A'91 Maggie Crnkovich VanMoorleghem A'06 Elizabeth Walsh A'14

Emily Friel Barr A’05

Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy

Why did you join the Alumnae Board?

I have so many memories of my time at Duchesne, so I was excited to come back and be engaged in a different way.

Who was your favorite teacher?

My favorite teacher was Mrs. Mary Moeschler.

Kathleen Guilfoyle Brady C’70

Educator

Why did you join the Alumnae Board?

I believe in the tradition of Duchesne. A strong alumnae association is critical to the success of the school.

Who was your favorite teacher?

My favorite teacher was Mother Connie Campbell.

Erica Brown Bryant A’97

Interior Design, Small Business Owner

Why did you join the Alumnae Board?

I wanted to give back to a school that formed me, in part, into the person I am today. Duchesne taught me to always keep learning and growing and to keep my faith close.

Sarah Langdon David A’75

I am retired from nursing at present. We have lived in Lincoln for the last 28 years.

Why did you join the Alumnae Board?

I love Duchesne. My mother went to college there. My sister graduated from there as did both my sisters-in-law, as well as my nieces. It is a special school.

Who was your favorite teacher?

Of course, Sister Joanne Fitzpatrick was my favorite.

Katie Dixon Desantis A’96

Business Owner- Vitality Bowls Superfoods Cafe

Why did you join the Alumnae Board?

It’s great to be back in Omaha to re-connect and give back to the Sacred Heart community. Duchesne’s focus on connections and community have stayed with me since I was a student.

Alex Emig A’10

Associate Attorney

Why did you join the Alumnae Board?

I love the sense of self that I developed at Duchesne through the school and faculty's focus on developing the whole person.

Bridget Wilwerding Flaherty A’04

Graphic Designer

Why did you join the Alumnae Board?

I joined the Board to be more active in the Duchesne community and to give back to the institution that taught and gave us so much.

How has Duchesne changed since you were a student? One thing that has changed since I was a student at Duchesne is the school's above and beyond commitment to sustainability.

Paige Peterson Hardy A’96

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

Why did you join the Alumnae Board?

I joined the alumnae board to stay engaged with the Duchesne community.

Who was your favorite teacher?

I was inspired by so many of the teachers during my time at Duchesne. Some of my most memorable teachers would be Mr. John Kasel or Mr. Tom Deeds!

Kate Nelson Holthaus A’11

Optometrist at Vision Specialists of Omaha

Why did you join the Alumnae Board?

When I’m surrounded by women with a similar love and connection with Duchesne my heart bursts with joy and I get this renewed sense of pride in wanting to make this home of mine even greater for those living in it now.

Who was your favorite teacher?

My favorite teacher was Mr. Jake Hervert. (I loved Physics and Math!)

Stacia Kulas Hoover A’90

Administrator, UNMC, College of Public Health

Why did you join the Alumnae Board?

To foster social awareness and help grow the Duchesne community.

What has changed since you were a student?

The Sustainability Program is a creative, innovative and timely resource for Duchesne!

Charon Pound Kupfer C’70

Retired teacher and counselor

Why did you join the Alumnae Board?

Duchesne helped me develop my personal goals, educationally and spiritually. It also helped me connect with more like-minded women who have become supportive, caring friends and colleagues, as they seemed to have had a great effect on our culture and society!

Kathryn Lundgren A’11

Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions, Creighton University

Why did you join the Alumnae Board?

I wanted to reconnect with the network that I love!

Who was your favorite teacher?

My favorite teachers were the entire English Department: Mrs. Mary Moeschler, Mr. Dan Daly, Mrs. Cristina Hiddleston, Mr. Thomas Becker, and Mrs. Kate Sommer!

Colette Hughes Martin A’99

Regional Vice President at Arbonne International

Why did you join the Alumnae Board? To stay connected to a school I love dearly.

Who was your favorite teacher?

Mrs. Carol Classe; she was one of our biggest cheerleaders on and off the court.

Molly Minturn A’91

Public Health RN

Why did you join the Alumnae Board?

I appreciate the opportunities Duchesne gave me and love that we have a Sacred Heart school in our community. It truly is a blessing. Being on the board affords me the chance to give back.

Trish Nipp A’78

Registered Nurse

Why did you join the Alumnae Board?

To get more involved with Duchesne after being away for so many years

What has changed since you were a student?

Academically, it is a lot harder than when I was there. Admission requirements are stronger, which is good.

Kristin Stoesz Pratt A'00

Marketing

Why did you join the Alumnae Board?

Duchesne does such a wonderful job creating a sense of community, and I am excited to be part of an alum group that actively continues this tradition. My heart holds a very special place for Duchesne!

How has Duchesne changed since you were a student?

The STEAM Lab is new and very impressive.

Maureen Meyer Raynor A'04

Employee Relations Manager - Kiewit

Why did you join the Alumnae Board?

I wanted an opportunity to be able to stay engaged with and give back to a place and community that means so much to me.

How has Duchesne changed since you were a student?

Duchesne has added impressive new spaces for learning such as the STEAM Lab, which I’m sure the students appreciate.

Jenni Pick Rudersdorf A'98

Former Teacher

Why did you join the Alumnae Board?

Duchesne helped me grow into the independent woman I am today. At Duchesne, I blossomed into an independent, self-assured, strong woman. I am so thankful for all the Duchesne community gave me. I hope many young girls can follow!

Elizabeth Fairchild Schaben A’91

Education Specialist

Why did you join the Alumnae Board?

I wanted to give back and help my wonderful high school!

Who was your favorite teacher?

Miss Molly Carpenter; she challenged me to improve my writing skills and discover a passion for English I never had before.

Lori Kennedy Schmaderer A’90

Outpatient Neurology Physical Therapist at Nebraska Medicine

Why did you join the Alumnae Board?

I was looking to volunteer and was drawn back to Duchesne. It has been such a great opportunity to give back after all these years!

Who was your favorite teacher?

Without a doubt Miss Mary Jo Martin. She was tough, she challenged me, and she had a great sense of humor!