While Maria Haas Tess, HA ’68, was the only girl coming from St. John deNepomuc Grade School to Holy Angels Academy in 1964, it did not take her long to find her place socially and academically. She became a member of the Angelaires, the audition-based group of singers. Later, she was inducted into the National Honor Society and was named the valedictorian of the Holy Angels Class of 1968.
“My four years at Holy Angels Academy gave me a great sense of independence, freedom, leadership skills, and the ability to stand up for issues I believed in,” she said.
And standing up for issues she feels strongly about is her passion. After Maria earned a full scholarship to attend Marquette University and studied education for two years, she switched paths and accepted the purchasing manager position at Rexnord, Inc. She then worked as the director of procurement at Rexworks, Inc. When Maria had the opportunity to relocate, she chose to stay in Milwaukee and aggressively pursue volunteer opportunities and philanthropic pursuits with her husband, Bill.
Maria has volunteered at Junior Achievement, the Hales Corners Public Library, the Muskego Public Library, and the Ronald McDonald House, also serving on the boards of the Wisconsin Jaguar Club, Friends of the Muskego Public Library, and the Milwaukee Masterpiece Concours d’Elegance.
She and her husband give to all levels of education, at the high school level exclusively to DSHA. Maria has served on the DSHA Alumnae Board since 2014 (as the President for two years) and is an enthusiastic supporter of DSHA in both her treasure and time.
“I hope DSHA continues to be a sound educational facility that directs young women to wonderful futures and goals…. DSHA has done well to get its message across—that all aspects of a young girl are critical. That message is more important now than it ever has been before.”
In her spare time, Maria loves to garden, attend car shows with her husband, and work on jigsaw puzzles.