My Dominican education has instilled in me a spirit of excellence and motivation to strive as far as I can within my field. It has allowed me to do many things in my career where both faith and service intersect. Because of Dominican, I have been able to walk boldly in the face of adversity and know that I can do anything I put my mind to.
At Dominican High I learned that it was OK to be a strong woman, not afraid to express thoughts, ideas, and opinions. That has been so important in my social justice work which demands that I be an advocate for justice with and for marginalized people even when – and especially when – there are so many dissenting voices trying to drown out the voices of those crying out for equity and belonging.
It is an honor and privilege to have a 3rd generation of women in our family attend St. Mary's Dominican High School. Not only does Dominican provide an outstanding education, but it teaches young women to embrace their confidence, to pursue their own unique paths to excellence, and to stand firm in their faith. These lessons have allowed us to find balance in our personal and professional lives. We are excited to see the next generation of Dominican women remain rooted in their faith as they tackle the challenges that they face in paving the way for our future.
Be present in the present. It is so easy to look ahead and be consumed with what is next. While you can plan and prepare, high school is such an amazing time in your life, so be there for it. Be a part of the things you are passionate about, discover what you enjoy learning, and make time for fun. Know that things can always change. I have had so many different twists and turns throughout my career, many of which I could have never planned for or anticipated. It’s okay to go in a different direction or try something new.”
A Dominican graduate values life-long learning and pursues excellence, not only as an end but to serve our community. I have been honored to coordinate the Washington D.C. chapter where I am able to see our graduates always learning and striving for excellence for their community and country. It is a blessing to be able to meet current Dominican students when they travel to Washington D.C. for Close-Up and March for Life. The Dominican community stays steadfast and strong in their ways as we continue to support each other.
My Dominican education nurtured my love of learning and striving for excellence. It taught me to reflect and pray about God's purpose for my life. My Dominican education developed my confidence and desire to help others.
The faith formation at Dominican was one of the most influential aspects in my ministry as a Catholic artist, composer, and music director. In grammar school, I learned my prayers; but, at Dominican, I learned to pray. Celebrations of the Mass were some of my greatest memories. Dominican was a safe place to be proudly Catholic, and there was comfort with living the truth of the Gospel among hundreds of young women.
Cherish each day at Dominican, for those few short years will continue to impact your entire future! The motto, Veritas, has been my guiding star, reinforced by the curriculum and lessons of love from fabulous faculty.
When I started at Dominican, I only knew two people from my grammar school. Even though it was difficult in the beginning, the countless opportunities to join extracurriculars and activities allowed me to meet people and make life-long friends. So, my advice to you would be to get involved and truly experience Dominican.