LIFELONG CONNECTIONS
Dr. Danielle Richardson ‘06
HELPING PEOPLE’S EYES AND HEARTS When Danielle Richardson ’06 was a student at Cathedral High School, she was smart, spirited and full of energy. Fast-forward 11 years and little has changed. Danielle is still an energetic, intelligent young lady who is now an optometrist in Houston, Texas. As busy as she is with her practice, she still finds time to lead yoga classes and international yoga retreats with her company Fierce Clarity. According to her website, “Fierce Clarity is a global community and space empowering the modern millennial woman on her journey towards wellness + balance + clarity.” The company focuses on the mind, body and spirit, so it comes as no surprise that Danielle’s Cathedral experience heavily influenced her career path. “Senior Retreat was my first retreat experience and illustrated the transformative power retreats hold,” Danielle says. “I came back to lead a retreat while in college and knew it was something I’d like to continue doing at some point of my life. I’d say Senior Retreat and Director of Campus Ministry Charlene Witka helped inspire my career path.” Danielle has many fond memories of her time at Cathedral, most of them centered around spirit week traditions. “Toilet papering the hill, dressing up with my friends and being crowned Homecoming Queen were all highlights of my time at Cathedral. I also enjoyed the energy of the school assemblies and being part of the cheerleading team. I was lucky enough to cheer with some of my CHS teammates in college at Indiana University.” 8
CATHEDRAL HIGHLIGHTS • SPRING/SUMMER 2017
Danielle’s feelings for Cathedral echo what so many Fighting Irish have known for a very long time— Cathedral is a family. “My best friends from CHS are still my best girlfriends today. Even 10 plus years later, I keep in touch with my old CHS teammates and friends. Additionally, my Cathedral family was there when my father passed away suddenly last year. Several CHS staff members, students and the Moms in Touch group supported me and my family (Allen Richardson ’09 and Diona Richardson ’16) and I’m so grateful.” Danielle recently returned to Texas after her latest yoga retreat in Costa Rica. Danielle is using her gifts to help other women find the key to unlocking physical, mental, spiritual and emotional wellness. She also helps her patients maintain their eye health. It’s an inspiring, amazing journey for this dynamic Cathedral alumna… a journey she embraces with humility, grace and a humble heart. “A patient described my unique path of optometrist and yoga retreat leader as helping people see clearly from their eyes and hearts. I agree and I’m lucky I’m able to do both.”
CATHEDRAL GRAD WHO’S CHANGING THE WORLD For some people, there’s an epiphany--that one experience that changes your life’s journey forever. For Joe Schmidt ’90, that epiphany happened his junior year at Cathedral High School. “I was with a group of Cathedral students traveling to Germany, when our beloved teacher and tour guide,