This Woman of Character Scholarship was established in 2007 by Christina Engel Scopturr, HA ’70, with her husband Paul, parents of Carolyn McNally Scoptur, DSHA ’02; Katherine Scoptur Lawton, DSHA ’04; and Alexandra Scoptur, DSHA ’08. This scholarship recognizes that as peers, students are role models to one another, and honors one senior, junior, and sophomore for being proactive and dynamic students who are enthusiastic learners, bold explorers, courageous achievers, and community builders. Students are first nominated by faculty and staff, and then from a pool of finalists, faculty and staff determine an awardee from each of three classes.

Dr. Heather Mansfield is in her 20th school year serving as the Academic Dean for DSHA. As a part of her role, she oversees the direction of the DSHA curriculum, and the institutional approach to college-prep academics. Mansfield and the DSHA teaching faculty understand that education is a long game, and that the strategy behind the approach is keenly important—from both institutional and individual student perspectives. Mansfield often says, “DSHA takes girls seriously.” The following Q&A outlines what that means—the art, the science, and why it matters for the young women at DSHA.

The Alumnae Service Scholarship was established in 2000 and recognizes the tradition of service, a cornerstone of the DSHA faith formation experience for students from freshman through senior year. This scholarship is awarded to one sophomore or junior each year who has a demonstrated commitment to serving others and academic achievement. Applications, including references and a service reflection essay, are reviewed by a committee of alumnae who consider the type of service work performed, and the incorporation of that commitment of service into her life in the present and after graduation. Leh was chosen as the recipient of this scholarship for the 2023-24 school year. Read on for an excerpt from Annabelle Leh's, DSHA '25, scholarship-winning reflection.

Established in 2022, this scholarship is awarded each year to a student based on her involvement in the Respect Life Co-Curricular at DSHA, and/or service opportunities promoting pro-life initiatives. At DSHA, the Respect Life Co-Curricular promotes awareness-of-life issues including advocating for the unborn and expectant mothers, human trafficking, the death penalty, euthanasia, aging, dying, mental illness, brain disorders, and more. Emma Bruckman, DSHA '24, was chosen as the recipient of this scholarship for the 2023-24 school year. Read on for an excerpt from her scholarship-winning essay.

On September 27, DSHA faculty, staff, and students gathered in the Chris & John McDermott Gymnasium to kick off the 40th Annual Dash-A-Thon. A beloved tradition, Dash-A-Thon is the largest student-led fundraiser that culminates in a themed 7-mile walk/run to raise money for the school. Since its inception, it has raised over $2 million for DSHA. The event was originally founded in 1983 by the Student Council Executive Committee at the time of Julie Rebek Wendelberger, DSHA ’84; Debra Leack Braun, DSHA ’84; Anne Kresse Pillion, DSHA ’84; Pam Knoll Doherty, DSHA ’84; and Director of Salvatorian Service Dr. Katie Daily Pickart, DSHA ’84. Four decades later, Dash-A-Thon continues to be led by student leaders in School Pride (SPRIDE), an elected commission of the DSHA Student Council whose members organize spirit weeks, assemblies, and other student events.

The 40th celebration began with a pep rally and a performance by the DSHA Dance Team. Three of Dash-A-Thon’s founders including Pickart, Wendelberger, and Knoll were present to address the girls. Dressed in their “fisherwoman” outfits to match the Swimming into the School Year theme, the alumnae spoke to students, sharing their love for DSHA and why they started Dash-A-Thon to raise school spirit and come together as a community.