What comes to mind when you are considering attending a class reunion? Possible anxieties could include; what will my former classmates think of me? Will I remember everyone’s names? What to wear? Who will be there? Who won’t? All of these small anxieties exist when planning to attend any reunion. I have to admit that some of these anxieties existed as I prepared to attend my 25th Divine Savior Holy Angels reunion as Katie Brown Class of ‘92. But, also as Katie Brown Konieczny new president elect of DSHA! This would be my inaugural event as President-Elect — my first opportunity to meet the many alumnae that would come back to celebrate.
The weekend kicked off with a schoolwide assembly celebrating the 50th anniversary of Title IX on Friday, September 29th. Friday evening we celebrated the five recipients of the 2017 Alumnae of Distinction Award — the first time all honorees were both alumnae as well as retired faculty or staff from DSHA. Saturday evening I attended eight different class parties (the 8th being my own 25th!) The weekend entailed 19 events in 72 hours, including 13 individual class parties. Notably, the HA and DS classes of 1957 celebrated their 60th reunion!
Many would characterize this experience as exhausting, but to me it was affirming. What has brought me back to DSHA is a unique experience that does not diminish over time. It does not fade.
And the second I find myself in a room filled with DSHA students, alumnae, and/ or TSC, I am reminded of the gift that I have been given. Any anxiety that I may have felt quickly dissipates. My education at DSHA provided me with an environment that allowed me to take risks, try something new, and be myself without the added social/emotional pressure that can be created in a coed environment.
As I think about the experience of reunion weekend, what stands out the most is the energy I felt as I walked into the various class parties on Saturday. After entering each room, I felt the same thing. Whether celebrating a 60th reunion or a 5th, the room was filled with laughter, storytelling, and warmth. It is this distinct shared experience that instantly brings us together as if no time had passed — at all.
Various alumnae brought photos from the cutting room floor of The Word publication, yearbooks, gym uniforms from 50 years ago, and the coveted uniform skirts. For those that have kept these items over the years, it is a demonstration of not only their love and passion for their school, but of how their lives have changed for the better because of it. For their classmates, seeing these items instantly brought back fond memories from the days they walked the halls as a student.
Whether you attended Divine Savior, Holy Angels or Divine Savior Holy Angels, it was clear to me that the core values of
All Girls Makes All the Difference was as true 60 years ago, as it is for the students of DSHA today. I learned that DS and HA were celebrating sports women of the year far before Title IX ever existed. Sr. Carol Threser, DS ‘59, captured the hearts of the students as she shared stories of her time playing basketball. I was inspired by Toni Quartana Campbell, DS '67, who took the time to track down every single classmate from her class! I was honored to join the Jubilee Brunch on Sunday with an impressive group of 259 women, including our Diamond Jubilarian, Marilynn Landgraf Hartmann, class of HA 1941, who graduated over 75 years ago.
As I reflect on the weekend, I realize I am blessed to be an alumna of DSHA, and honored to be taking on the role of President-Elect. DSHA has maintained a culture of excellence, and indeed my own experience is what has motivated me to come back.
DSHA’s commitment to supporting and developing young women has thrived with twenty years of leadership under Ellen Bartel. As a whole, these women are believers, self-advocates, communicators, critical thinkers and leaders — something I hope for my own daughter, Chloe, some day. And although I have a long wait on my hands, I am ecstatic that she will have the same opportunity as a member of the class of 2030!
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Click here to view this story in full in the spring 2018 issue of The Word magazine.
