Honoring Jane Rademacher Kerwin, DS ’64, and the Wendlick Mental Health Awareness Fund

A Q&A with current parent Candace Wendlick, daughter of Jane Rademacher Kerwin, DS '64.

A: My mom loved her time at DS. She graduated in 1964, a time when mental health and wellness wasn’t as widely recognized or discussed. She felt DS was the first school that was able to identify her needs and find ways to help her learn and succeed. When it came time for my mom to give back, she wanted it to center around mental health and identified the school as being an important factor and support system in her life.

Q: You have given back to DSHA and this scholarship for several years. Why has it been important to you personally to give back to the school?
A:  I’ve watched my daughter, Sophia Wendlick, DSHA ’24, really grow and flourish in her development as a person at DSHA. I’ve seen her develop a sense of confidence, an ability to listen intently to others, and ask questions when needed. I attribute a lot of that growth to the environment she receives at DSHA. The school community and the support the girls receive is so important and vital for their development. I wanted to be part of supporting that positive environment and the opportunities it provides for the girls.

Q: Your mother attended DS, your daughters are a part of the DSHA Classes of 2024 and 2028. Why was it important for you and your family for your daughters to attend school at DSHA?
A:  When I had Sophia, my mom expressed a strong desire for her to go to school at DSHA. When it came time to make the decision, touring the school was a really important factor for us as a family. I was impressed with the current students who were there and how they shared their experiences with us. As a psychotherapist myself, mental health and wellness is extremely important to me. Throughout the tour, we were able to see how important whole-person learning was to the school, the curriculum, and the co-curricular activities offered. Whole-person learning and development was one of the most important factors for us deciding on a school, and to see it reflected as a value of the school was comforting.
Q: What are you hoping this endowed fund does for the young women of DSHA?
A: I hope it continues to build an awareness of the importance of mental health and provide support to girls who might have mental health needs. I want the fund to encourage them to ask for help when needed and to take advantage of the resources available to them. I believe DSHA makes an effort to focus on mental health issues, and I hope this fund continues to support that work and remove the stigma that can be associated with it.

Q: What are you hoping other young women take away from their DSHA education?
A: I hope young women learn they have an important role in finding their purpose and path that is meaningful to them and their life. High school is a really important time for them to receive guidance and gain confidence to pursue their passions. I want them to feel a sense of community and support in knowing that whatever path they take, they have people to support them.

Q: What impresses you about DSHA today?
A: What impresses me the most is the openness to understanding others. DSHA creates a dialogue for sharing and trying to gain a better understanding of others’ perspectives, thoughts, and feelings. I think the school has made a conscious effort to focus on relevant social and mental health issues which is great.

Q: What are your hopes for DSHA in the future?
A: I want DSHA to continue to be open to hearing from students and parents and working together to keep it a positive, high-academic learning environment. I hope that there is always an openness to hearing the different perspectives and paying attention to each girls’ individual needs.