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Class of 2023 Graduates with Marian Scholar Maggie Sweeney, DSHA ‘23
The DSHA Class of 2023 was the first to graduate with a Marian Scholar. The Marian Scholars Program at DSHA is a student-centered, inclusive education program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Dashers in the program are paired with peer mentor students who help them engage in class, implement curriculum modifications, and lend other support as needed. Maggie Sweeney, DSHA ’23, has been a Dasher since the fall of 2021, and on May 26, she walked with her peers to receive a DSHA Certificate of Completion. In the fall of 2023 she will attend Concordia University’s AbleLight College program.
"It is so special to be at DSHA. I feel like I have a family there and have met so many new friends. I love my peer mentors like family and I love my teachers. My favorite activities have been theatre (Freaky Friday, Puffs, and Sister Act); Best Buddies, Goodness & Kindness team, and being the manager for the soccer team. My favorite class was Earth Science with Mr. (Science Faculty Kevin) Roethe and (peer mentor) Addie Leffler, DSHA ’24, because they love science and help set up labs for me. Next year I’m going to Concordia and I will be excited to walk in the door and not scared because DSHA showed me how to have a family at school.”
~Maggie Sweeney, DSHA '24
~Maggie Sweeney, DSHA '24
"Maggie is such a kind person and loves showing others how much she cares about them. I got to be one of her peer mentors and spent her Wellness Hour with her every day. It has been such a fun time to be together and we have been able to connect with so many people throughout the building. We were also partnered together for dancing in two musicals, Freaky Friday and Sister Act, and got to spend time together as friends outside of school. I have become a more welcoming and loving person because of Maggie—I’m so grateful for her and our time together.”
~Audrey Watzka, DSHA '24, Marian Scholar Peer Mentor
~Audrey Watzka, DSHA '24, Marian Scholar Peer Mentor
"In the two years Maggie spent with us at DSHA, we saw her grow into the beautiful woman that she has become. Our Marian Scholars and their peer mentors have blessed the DSHA community with the experience of inclusivity in a way that we would not have without the program. These young women, and the support of our faculty, staff, administration, parents, and board of directors, have allowed us to be a more whole and complete Catholic community.”
~Director of Marian Scholars Mary Anderson
~Director of Marian Scholars Mary Anderson
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Sweeney is pictured second from the right with three of her peer mentors (left to right) at graduation: Eva-Marie Moss, DSHA '23; Sarah Daniels, DSHA '23; and Audrey Watzka, DSHA '23.
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