Who We Are
Voices of DSHA

Treasure the Present

BY LUCIA PECHLOFF, DSHA '20
As one of the valedictorians of the DSHA Class of 2020, Lucia Pechloff, DSHA '20, spoke at the class' graduation ceremony August 1 at the Washington County Fairgrounds. Read what she said to her classmates below. 
To my beautiful Class of 2020,

Our journey here began four years ago as we opened our hearts and minds to a new chapter in our young lives, to a new adventure, to a place which has become our second home: Divine Savior Holy Angels.

Here everyone wears a smile, and yes, even a “glad to be plaid” skirt. The students are full of enthusiasm as they walk down the hallways, and the energy is contagious. Laughter echoes throughout the building as friendships are nurtured, dreams are encouraged, and tomorrows are impatiently anticipated.

Looking back at my first day of freshman year, I longed to be a part of this sisterhood. I wanted to find a circle of friends who would accept me for who I am. I admired the determination of each student and hoped that I too could eventually grow in confidence. In time, I formed friendships and began to pursue opportunities that were once unimaginable. Through joining clubs and volunteering with various organizations, I began to realize that we all have the power to make a difference. 

Our diverse student body has allowed us to learn and embrace many viewpoints and perspectives.

Our established faculty and staff encouraged us to question, investigate, and use our talents to serve others. The rigorous curriculum challenged us academically and motivated us to explore our dreams and passions.

Our classes and retreats deepened our faith and gave us a better understanding of God, what is truly important in life, and the impact we can make in the lives of one another every day. One smile at a time. One kind word at a time. One person at a time.

I have worked very hard these past four years. We all have. We have been taught to take material, digest it, reflect upon it, and use it as a springboard for further learning and inquiry. Slowly and lovingly, Divine Savior Holy Angels has transformed us into self-assured young women who can accomplish the impossible and start again even when disappointment confronts us.

For our class, disappointment came sooner than we could have ever imagined.

I guess the world had a different plan for us, a plan that would abruptly change our lives. From one day to the next, we lost the ability to come to school, sit in our classes, and see each other every day. Social distancing has become our new normal and has defined our last few months of high school.

During these many long days at home, I often found myself reminiscing about the little things that I had once taken for granted here. I miss sitting with my friends at lunch and listening to each other’s stories. I miss belting out songs during our car rides to school and studying in the library each morning. I miss gathering in the Commons and planning what we were going to wear to the next dance. I even miss that fluttery feeling in my stomach right before taking a test and the late nights perfecting that paper or assignment. I miss the familiar faces, the smiles, the hugs, and the laughter. I miss all of you, my sisters.

Despite these obstacles, our senior class has remained strong and united. We have found new ways to stay positive, connect, celebrate, and stand as one. If there is any lesson that we must take with us as we leave our beloved school, it is to treasure the now, the present, today. We should never take for granted anything we have, any person we love, or any opportunity we are given. 

And as we move into the world, we must be quick to act, open to reflect, and brave enough to lead. Our country is currently living in turmoil. We are witnessing the real consequences of racial injustice and social inequality. These are not just themes, ideas, or subjects studied in our books. They are real people with names, faces, and families who will forever be seared into our memories. There is division. There is anger. There is fear. We must begin to listen to one another and stand together more than ever before. We must continue to educate ourselves and learn to have difficult conversations. We must treat one another with the dignity and kindness each of us deserves regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality. We must use our voices to create good and strive to achieve equality. Together we can change the world. We can make a world in which there is more compassion and respect for all. We can do this. We must do this.

We, the class of 2020, are confident young women who are capable of accomplishing anything we set our minds to. We are the leaders of tomorrow. Let us follow the good examples taught to us here and move forward with courage. Let us trust in God, believe in ourselves, and never lose sight of hope. As we approach the new journey that lies ahead, let us soar with a graceful strength, embrace all that life has to offer, and be the ones to lead this world toward a more respectful, better, and happier place.

I wish all of you immense success. I wish you lasting friendships. I wish you happiness each day. I love you all.
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    • Valedictorian Lucia Pechloff, DSHA '20, addresses her classmates at the DSHA Class of 2020 Commencement Ceremony.

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