Valedictorian Speech to the Class of 2025

I promised my father I would start my speech as he has started my mornings the past four years: by crying out, "IT'S A GREAT DAY TO BE A DASHER!"

 

Before I start, I want to address the fact that I am not very big on public speaking but don't worry — my classmates have really helped reassure me about this moment. The day I found out I received this honor, one of my fellow classmates, Hannah Strochota, DSHA '25, came up to me during anatomy class. Being the supportive friend she is, she didn't say, "Congrats," she didn't say, "Way to go," but she looked me straight in the eyes and said, "Make it good." So thank you, Hannah, for taking that major weight off my shoulders.

 

But in all seriousness, I am so grateful for this opportunity to share my thoughts about this wonderful place that is DSHA and, of course, the fabulous class of 2025.

 

Looking back on the past four years together, we have all grown as a tight-knit community thanks to the opportunities and the expectations DSHA sets for its students.

 

Even though some situations may not have been ideal — like the shock of learning about the weekly math tests in [Mathematics Department Chair Dawn] Gardner's class, the urban legend of [English Faculty Peter] Nurre's silent demerits, or simply mourning the loss of our mouthwatering grilled cheese — these experiences whether good or bad were the glue that brought us together.

 

Yet, one of the most powerful forces in shaping our class has been the traditions. traditions generations of women have celebrated for decades, merging our class with the ones before us. These traditions have been the thread weaving us together, such as walking hand in hand at Dash-a-Thon, singing "We Are One Body" at the top of our lungs, and now wearing white dresses to graduation.

 

Speaking of our unique graduation outfits, you might be wondering why we can't just wear the standard cap and gown. We are told that we must wear these long white dresses, but we are never really told why.

 

Here is my perspective on this custom at DSHA: The practice of wearing this attire is rooted in the early 1900s at both Divine Savior and Holy Angels. As many of you know from [Theology Faculty Mary] Duffy's sacraments class, the color white is a symbol of purity and new beginnings; hence why you see it worn by newborns at their baptisms. In baptism, we are supported by our close family, we are given godparents who are supposed to guide us on our spiritual journey, and we are welcomed into a whole new family called the Church. So yes, the color of our outfits represents our new life, which is about to launch off, but it also reminds us of the people who got us here.

 

For me, my dress is extremely special because it is a visual representation of some of the most significant women in my life who got me to this point. It was originally worn in 1986 by my aunt, Leanne Sanders, DSHA '86, at her graduation from DSHA. Then, four years later, it was worn by my mother, Laura McLaughlin Sanders, DSHA '90, at her graduation, where she was probably giggling arm in arm with her best friend, Mary Bluhm Aussem, DSHA '90, who is now my godmother.

 

These dresses not only represent the unity within the class of 2025, but they symbolize the family that we are about to join as the alumnae of DSHA while reminding us of the people who have supported us through it all, thick and thin.

 

Just like baptism, we are joined together to celebrate one of the most pivotal moments. In this case, we are celebrating as we transition from youth to adults, ready to take on our own lives. However, we are not alone.

 

The class of 2025, I invite you to look around at the people seated next to you. As we look to the girls dressed in white, these are the people that we have been forming relationships with for the past four years, whether it be rallying for each other during sporting events — like I hope to see tomorrow at the DSHA soccer game at 7 p.m. at Brookfield Central — sharing our high and lows in Mrs. Gardner's class, or as we soon cheer each other on as we walk across this stage.

 

As we look adjacent to us, we can see our faculty. These are our role models who helped shape our individuality and made us ready to take on the future.

 

For example, [Social Study Faculty Dan] Demeter's Athens v. Sparta debate that taught us effective communication skills as intimidated freshmen. Or, [Director of Salvatorian Service Dr. Katie Daily Pickart, DSHA '84,] who learned all of our names on the first couple of days of school, teaching us the impact you can have on a person's sense of belonging by simply calling them by name. And something we all won't forget, [Mathematics Faculty Libby Wissing, DSHA '10] teaching us somewhat calm ways to deal with difficult technology. These lessons are gold because they are life lessons that will continue to pave the path throughout our future.