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The Makings of DSHA's Co-Valedictorians

Kate Krueger, DSHA '24, and Abby Quesnell, DSHA '24
Our class of 2024 co-valedictorians reflect on their accomplishments and experiences as DSHA, as well as highlights from the past four years. You can watch Kate's commencement address here and watch Abby's commencement address here.
Kate Krueger, DSHA '24
Grade School: St. Charles Catholic School, Hartland
College Plans: University of Notre Dame, Finance

A Reflection on Four Years in Four Questions
Q: How have you grown since being at DSHA?
A:
My communication skills have grown so much. I’ve become more confident, but the shift has been gradual. My teachers have been so supportive. I’ll never forget a presentation I did on Catcher in the Rye my sophomore year. It was a moment when I realized we were all in the same boat of figuring out high school together. My faith has also grown here. One of the reasons I wanted to go to Notre Dame was to be able to openly practice my faith.

Q: Tell us about a challenge you navigated in high school and what you learned.
A:
Math has been the hardest subject for me and doesn’t always come as naturally as others. I’ve spent a lot of time studying with others in the library to prepare [for class and exams]. In the fall with golf, I had to miss at least one class [of AP BC Calc] a week. I learned so much about time management and the importance of getting things done when I can.

Q: What have you loved most about the all-girls experience?
A:
DSHA is a judgement-free zone. The girls are all very driven and we care a lot about and depend on each other. We are safe to try out different things without feeling like we have to have it all together. A big part of being ready for college is knowing who you are, and so much of that has come from the confidence we gain in the all-girls environment.

Q:  What advice do you have for freshmen looking to get the most out of high school in the way you have?
A:
You have to embrace forming connections. Reach out and make new friends with everyone you can. No one has it all figured out on day one. I was really hard on myself as a freshman. It is good to have drive and want to succeed, but you should also be forgiving of yourself and willing to ask for help! Don’t be afraid to ask questions in class. One thing I learned at DSHA is to use ALPHA [Academic Learning Place for Higher Achievement] time and reach out to teachers when you need extra help. I will be doing that at Notre Dame next year—I’ve seen how helpful and important it is in high school.

Awards & Recognitions:
  • National Honor Society
  • WIAA Scholar Athlete
  • GMC Scholar Athlete
  • WIAA Golf: Team State Champion + 3rd Team All-State + 1st Team All-Conference
  • DSHA STEM Scholar
DSHA Activities & Involvement:
  • Student Athletic Advisory Council, elected secretary
  • Varsity Golf, team captain
  • NHS Tutor
  • Freshman Retreat Leader
  • Co-Curriculars: Latin Club, Hometown Heroes, and HOSA Future Health Professionals
  • Student Recruiter
  • Vocare Service Site: Penfield Children's Center
AP & Dual-Credit Classes:
  • AP Calculus (BC)
  • AP Biology
  • AP Chemistry
  • AP Computer Science A
  • AP English Language & Composition
  • AP English Literature & Composition
  • AP U.S. Government & Politics
  • AP U.S. History
  • Latin Poetry: Vergil, University of Minnesota
  • Survey of World Religions, Marquette University
  • Christian Faith & Justice, Marquette University
Significant DSHA Experiences
  • Winning the 2024 WIAA Golf State Championship: "This is my closest group of friends at school—we are such a tight knit community and have bonded over such incredible shared experiences."
  • AP Biology with Science Department Chair Stacey Strandberg: "This class was very hands on and interactive and Mrs. Strandberg has been so helpful in the development of my confidence and encouraging me to challenge myself. And all of her professional accomplishments are so inspiring to me.”
  • Student Athletic Advisory Council: "This has helped me grow in my understanding of what it means to be a leader. It’s been great to connect with people from other sports and grow as leaders and teammates together.”

Abby Quesnell, DSHA '24
Grade School: Holy Apostles Catholic School, New Berlin
College Plans: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Electrical Engineering

A Reflection on Four Years in Four Questions
Q: How have you grown since being at DSHA?
A:
I have grown so much in my confidence—both with my peers and in general. Community has been so important to this. I’ve liked STEM classes since middle school, but some of the more challenging classes here have become especially tight. We get confused together and then work to figure things out together.

Q: Tell us about a challenge you navigated in high school and what you learned.
A:
I’ve had to work really hard in my English classes, especially my first few years. I was a slow writer and it was hard for me to put ideas on paper at times. I learned that my work doesn’t always need to be perfect and sometimes I just need to give it a try and go back later. I’ve learned so much about good work ethic and working through challenges. This will definitely help me when I get into more engineering classes in college.

Q: What have you loved most about the all-girls experience?
A:
This has been all about confidence and leadership for me. I know I’m ready for what is next because of how I’ve grown in the all-girls environment. I’ve tried things I’m not sure I would have at a different school. I definitely feel ready to study engineering (a male-dominated field) because of the rigorous classes here and the way they have prepared me. I’ve had the chance to take engineering, statistics, Auto-CAD, computer science, and all of my AP math and science classes. I know I’m ready for college because I’ve been taking college-level classes and have learned I can work through the material even when it is really challenging. I know I’m ready and I know I’ll fit in great!

Q:  What advice do you have for freshmen looking to get the most out of high school in the way you have?
A:
Branch out and talk to people—a lot of people are just as nervous as you are! Don’t be afraid to try new things—even leadership positions before you think you are ready. Trust your teachers and ask for their help—they want the best for you. This is especially true when things seem hard. They are probably hard for everyone else too and you are not alone. Lean on each other and your teachers and you will be great.

Awards & Recognitions:

  • National Merit Commended Student
  • National Honor Society
  • GMC Scholar Athlete
  • Concours Oral: WI French Speaking Contest, A rating
  • Salvatorian Sisters' Service Award
  • DSHA STEM Scholar
  • DSHA Salvatorian Global Scholar
  • DSHA Outstanding Senior Instrumentalist, percussion
  • DSHA Outstanding Senior in French IV
DSHA Activities & Involvement:
  • Varsity Cross Country, team captain
  • Track & Field, team chaplain
  • Divine Strings Orchestra
  • NHS Tutor
  • Student Council
  • Co-Curriculars: Math Club, Climbing Club, Ski Club
  • Student Recruiter
  • Vocare Service Site: Village at Manor Park
AP & Dual-Credit Classes:
  • AP Calculus (BC)
  • AP Chemistry
  • AP Computer Science A
  • AP Physics C Mechanics
  • Intermediate French, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
  • Contemporary Literature, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
  • U.S. Foreign Policy, Cardinal Stritch University
  • Survey of World Religions, Marquette University
  • Christian Faith & Justice, Marquette University
Significant DSHA Experiences
  • Athletics & Fine Arts: "Cross Country, Track & Field, and Divine Strings [Orchestra] have all been such a big part of my experience. They have become as much about the community as what we are doing."
  • French Immersion Trip with World Languages Faculty Eileen Gleeson: "It was amazing to experience the French culture, stay with a family, go to school, and experience day-to-day life. Madame is so invested in us and in her teaching, too. I learned so much.”
  • AP Computer Science with Specialized Studies & Mathematics Faculty Connie Farrow: "The content was so challenging. I loved trying to figure out how to program something to be able to accomplish the goal.”
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