As I pondered what I wanted to say today, I thought I would begin with how I try to start everyday — and that is with gratitude. Many thanks to President Katie Konieczny, DSHA ’92, and the team here at DSHA for this most gracious honor.

Additionally, one of my valued treasures in life is my family, and I am so grateful to have my mom, dad, and brother here today.  My mom, Maripat Young Dalum, HA ’59, was student council president her senior year and was dating my dad, Tom Dalum, who went to Marquette University High School. They were the Graduate Dinner Dance’s Queen and King back in the day!

They taught me and my siblings the very important motto of “learn, earn, and return.” We were all fortunate to receive an amazing education. I have two older sisters who went to DSHA as well. My lovely daughter, Amanda, and three of my nieces niece were all here at the same time!

Today, my siblings and myself currently run independent businesses. Pretty cool, huh?  We all run a business where we earn a good living through hard work with a good work ethic to then be able to return in deeds of service and philanthropy to the community. We were taught that God is the center of our lives and ultimately it is our service to others and for others that honors Him.

When I left DSHA 35 years ago, I was well-equipped. I feel so blessed to have had such a wonderful high school experience. 

And, no, not every moment was great, especially when I got that “D” for the quarter in Spanish my sophomore year. That was not a pleasant experience. No bueno! But what it did was motivate me to get a solid “C” by the end of the semester. And when I had the conversation with the teacher to talk about my struggles, and she told me that “maybe I should give it up,” — well, that is one of my most significant memories during high school.  I ended up taking all four years of Spanish and used it many times, but most significantly just three years ago on my 200-mile-walk on the El Camino de Santiago in Spain! 

Those are the experiences that give you grit, that make you who you are. They help you figure out your north star. So today, as I pondered on a good message for the students from this 52-year-old-lady that they don’t know and how I can deliver a message that is meaningful, one recurring theme that came to me was finding your north star.

As you sit here today, I want you to ask you — what is your north star? Metaphorically speaking, it is your personal mission statement. It’s a fixed destination that you can depend on in your life as the world changes around you.

I think Anne Mulcahy, the former CEO of Xerox, may have said it best. She stated, “Who you are, what your values are, what you stand for… they are your anchor, your north star. You won’t find them in a book. You’ll find them in your soul.”

So, what do you think it is? Is it providing care for the sick in a hospital or nursing home? Is it working toward the solution to prevent further global warming? Is it empowering children with disabilities? Is it being the best mother you can be or the best friend you can be? Or, is it simply living a humble life?

Whatever it is that you believe in so greatly, that motivates you. That makes you who you are. It is that fixed point that can direct you, keep you true to yourself and what you believe in, and guide you to figure out how to make tough decisions.  

Knowing how I felt sometimes in high school, some of you may think you're utterly lost. You may not know your north star. That is perfectly okay. That is a part of the process of figuring it out. Just wait for the clouds to clear, because they always do, and you'll see your destiny, your purpose, your intention for what drives you in life shining ever so brightly! 

What does having a north star really mean to me? I believe it means to live with a purpose — a purpose that drives you to get up in the morning, to go the extra mile, to make the right decision. My north star or that purpose is to stand firm with my integrity and to make a difference. I was not going to give up on Spanish. I knew I could do it!  And it may sound cliché, but I want to make a difference in the lives of my kids, my fiancé, my extended family, my friends, the team at my company, and those in the community who are in need. 

From a young age, I have always valued volunteering. I started here at DSHA, then with my church and many other organizations, and now I am a part of leading a $57 million campaign for United Way. Our theme this year is one that truly resonates with me: Everyday somewhere in our community, someone needs our help.

Wouldn’t that be great if we were that person to help that someone?

None of us get to where we are alone. We need our family and friends to support us and bring us back to our north star sometimes! Trust me, I’ve lost my path before, and what brings me back every time is my faith, family, and friends. 

I consider my friendships that I made here at DSHA an extension of my family. They have been there for me through everything — my most significant moments in life. We have gotten together every year since we all graduated from college. We call each other the six-pack, and we will forever be there for one another. And for that, I come back to being so very grateful!

So, as I close, I leave you with this: maintain faith, trust in God and His plan, surround yourself with those that fill your cup to guide you toward your north star, and live with a purpose!

And, in turn, choose to be that person that helps your friends to see their greatness, that goes above and beyond, that leaves a little note in your mom’s purse or your dad’s wallet to say thanks and I love you, that always finds gratitude in life's moments, that helps someone, and that person that always follows your north star because it will be a beacon of light that guides you throughout your life.

Thank you!