School News

DSHA 2021 Jubilarian of the Year Community Volunteer Maria Hass Tess, HA '68

3/30/2022

Fall Semester 2021 of The Word Magazine

While Maria Haas Tess, HA ’68, was the only girl coming from St. John deNepomuc Grade School to Holy Angels Academy in 1964, it did not take her long to find her place socially and academically. She became a member of the Angelaires, the audition-based group of singers. Later, she was inducted into the National Honor Society and was named the valedictorian of the Holy Angels Class of 1968.

“My four years at Holy Angels Academy gave me a great sense of independence, freedom, leadership skills, and the ability to stand up for issues I believed in,” she said.

A PASSION FOR PHILANTHROPY

And standing up for issues she feels strongly about is her passion. After Tess earned a full scholarship to attend Marquette University and studied education for two years, she switched paths and accepted the purchasing manager position at Rexnord, Inc. She then worked as the director of procurement at Rexworks, Inc. When Tess had the opportunity to relocate, she chose to stay in Milwaukee and intentionally pursue volunteer opportunities and philanthropic pursuits with her husband, Bill.

Tess has volunteered at Junior Achievement, the Hales Corners Public Library, the Muskego Public Library, and the Ronald McDonald House, also serving on the boards of the Wisconsin Jaguar Club, Friends of the Muskego Public Library, and the Milwaukee Masterpiece Concours d’Elegance.

One of her shining moments as the part of the Friends of the Muskego Public Library was chairing the first ever library garden walk to help raise funds for the library programs during COVID-19. The community embraced the event, so much so that Tess is chairing the event for the second year in a row in 2022.

THE POWER OF EDUCATION

Tess and her husband give to all levels of education; at the high school level they give exclusively to DSHA. Tess has served on the DSHA Alumnae Board since 2014 (as the president for two years) and is an enthusiastic supporter of DSHA in both her treasure and time.

“I hope DSHA continues to be a sound educational facility that directs young women to wonderful futures and goals…. DSHA has done well to get its message across—that all aspects of a young girl are critical. That message is more important now than it has ever been before.”

Tess was honored as the 2021 Jubilarian of the Year at Jubilee Brunch during Alumnae Weekend October 3. Jubilee Brunch, the last event during Alumnae Weekend, honors women who graduated from Holy Angels, Divine Savior, and/or Divine Savior Holy Angels 50+ years ago. Tess spoke to all in attendance about the importance of supporting their alma mater, how each person matters and is appreciated, as well as the key each alumna holds. This key opens a priceless, lifetime membership to the alumnae community—a sisterhood of strong women whose friendships, mentorship, love, and support mean so much.

“I was so comfortable addressing my fellow alumnae,” Tess said. “I am grateful I was afforded the opportunity to touch on the different ways of giving back to the school (at Jubilarian Brunch). It was just a rewarding experience for me.”

While she is a graduate of Holy Angels Academy, attending before the two schools merged into DSHA in 1970, she hopes all DS and HA graduates can open their hearts and embrace the entire DSHA sisterhood.

“It’s a fact that if you allow yourself to open up your mind to anything in life, you heart soon follows,” she said.

In her spare time, Tess loves to garden, attend car shows with her husband, and work on jigsaw puzzles.

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