Dear DSHA community,

Building community through differences is one way to do justice, love goodness, and walk humbly with our God. At DSHA, we have witnessed beautiful examples of our students respecting each other’s religious traditions through interfaith prayer services and dialogue. This year Lent has overlapped with Ramadan. Both Christian and Islamic religious traditions involve fasting.

During the month, one group of friends chose to fast alongside their Muslim friend at some point during Ramadan. Several girls even asked to join them at the mosque. Likewise, our Muslim students have joined their Catholic friends at Ash Wednesday Mass, in “giving up” something for Lent.

DSHA is a community that builds openness to differences and a greater understanding of differences. This will help our daughters to go out into the world and build community.

Have a wonderful Easter!

God bless,

Dan Quesnell

DSHA Principal

TWO WEEK OUTLOOK

• Wednesday, March 25: Lent student auction
• Friday, March 27: Interfaith prayer service; grilled cheese fundraiser
• Wednesday, April 1: All-school Stations of the Cross; Collections Day (bring in a donation and be out of uniform)
• Thursday, April 2-Sunday, April 12: 🌷Easter break; no classes
• Monday, April 13: Classes resume

ACADEMIC UPDATES

NEW! Announcing Our Valedictorian and Salutatorians | During our all-school recognition assembly on March 19, we announced our valedictorian, Taryn Doyle, DSHA '26. Additionally, there are two salutatorians this year: Sophia Collins, DSHA '26, and Elizabeth Regan, DSHA '26.

NEW! Third-Quarter Academic Recognition | In addition to announcing our valedictorian and salutatorians, Dashers came together to recognize wins in forensics, Latin, physics, Science Olympiad, and more. Here are some highlights from the program:

• Congratulations to forensics team members Rachel Memory, DSHA '26; Stormy Walker, DSHA '27; and Holly Kubert Marshall, DSHA '28, who will compete in the National Speech & Debate Tournament in June
• Yesenia Bustos, DSHA '27, was chosen as a Senate Scholar and will get an up-close look at how the state legislature works
• DSHA sent 48 delegates to the Wisconsin Junior Classical League's annual Latin Convention; DSHA won the title for most service and many other awards

Makeup Tests and Quizzes | Please encourage your daughter to take any outstanding tests or quizzes and ensure her homework and coursework is submitted and up to date. Many teachers have grade penalties for late work (check the syllabus!) and ending the school year strong is important for final semester grades and official transcripts. The library is open after school for students to make up tests and quizzes.   

FROM THE DEAN OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

Senior Class Keepsakes from Jostens | Graduation announcements, apparel, keepsakes, and more are available to order via Jostens. If you have any questions, please reach out to Taylor Crandall at Jostens.   

Parking Passes Available | Parking passes are available for purchase for any student who currently has their driver’s license. Passes are $125 for the remainder of the year. If a student is interested in purchasing a pass, she should contact Executive Administrative Assistant Dawn Hathaway in the Main Office.   

CAMPUS MINISTRY

Grilled Cheese for Good | On Friday, March 27, students can purchase grilled cheese sandwiches, tomato soup, and kiddie cocktails for $2 each during both lunches. Houses will also be selling baked goods. All proceeds will go to support our Lenten project: building a secondary school for our sister school in Tanzania.

All-School Stations of the Cross | Students will be celebrating the Scriptural Stations of the Cross by Pope St. John Paul II in the theatre on Wednesday, April 1, 10:03-10:51 a.m. Parents are welcome to join!

This is also a Collections Day, so students may be out of uniform when they bring in a donation.

Leadership in Campus Ministry | Applications and interviews for Campus Ministry leadership positions as retreat, program, and officer positions, are happening now. Students will be notified after spring break. Contact Director of Campus Ministry Stephanie Monson for more information.

STUDENT SERVICES

COLLEGE COUNSELING

NEW! Direct Admit Wisconsin | DSHA is participating in Direct Admit Wisconsin, a voluntary program for students. For those who opt in, this program is designed to provide a place for all Wisconsin high school students to access public education by proactively offering them admission to the 10 schools within the University of Wisconsin system.*

10 UW schools are participating in the Direct Admit Wisconsin for the fall of 2026:

• UW-Green Bay
• UW-Milwaukee
• UW-Oshkosh
• UW-Parkside
• UW-Platteville
• UW-River Falls
• UW-Stevens Point
• UW-Stout
• UW-Superior
• UW-Whitewater

*UW-Eau Claire, UW-Lacrosse, and UW-Madison do not participate in Direct Admit Wisconsin.

Marquette University High School Bilingual College Fair | DSHA students and families are invited to this fair on Tuesday, March 24, 6-7 p.m. in the third-floor atrium at MUHS.

Recent MUHS alumni will be available to offer advice and provide insights on the college search process, applying for school, and transitioning to college.

Bilingual admission representatives from the below colleges will be available to speak with students and their families. We encourage you to learn more about academic majors, scholarships, and the admissions process.

• Carroll University
• Carthage College
• Marquette University
• Milwaukee Area Technical College
• UW-Madison
• UW-Milwaukee
• UW-Parkside
• UW-Whitewater

Revolution Prep Practice Tests | Revolution Prep is offering the following programs to help students prep for the SAT:

• SAT 101 sessions: Provides a breakdown of the test structure, content, and how to develop a focused test-prep plan.
• Practice tests: Work on pacing and endurance in a setting that simulates the testing environment during a proctored practice exam. Students will see their score report instantly.

NEW! Class of 2027 AppReady Workshop | Join Director of College Counseling Kristin Shea and college admissions counselors for a three-day college application workshop:

• Tuesday, June 2, 9-11:30 a.m.
• Wednesday, June 3, 9-11:30 a.m.
• Thursday, June 4, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Be "AppReady" when you enter senior year: We'll help students create accounts, begin the Common Application, draft a college essay, and get prepped for application season.

Students must attend all three days of the workshop. The workshop is $180 is will be billed through Blackbaud Tuition. Scholarships are available.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION

NEW! Dasher Dialogue | Students are invited to attend an optional Dasher Dialogue focusing on implicit bias on Thursday, April 16.

Optional Dasher Dialogues have been a part of the fabric of DSHA for the last nine years. Consistent with the DSHA mission to form young women who accept the gospel call to live lives that will make a difference, Dasher Dialogues create a loving and caring space for conversations that can be uncomfortable. These conversations focus on the dignity of every Dasher while helping students understand their responsibility to act as disciples of Jesus Christ.

FROM THE BUSINESS OFFICE

Tuition Fees | AP and ACT test fees have been invoiced through Blackbaud Tuition as part of April billing. Payment is due by April 15. You may pay via your Blackbaud Tuition account or by submitting your payment to the Business Office. The Business Office is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Contact the DSHA Business office by email or phone at 414-721-2916.

FINE ARTS

NEW! Divine Strings at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist | Divine Strings will play the cathedral's noon concert series. Join us for this free show at noon on Wednesday, March 25 at 812 N. Jackson Street.

NEW! Celebrating Third Quarter Fine Arts Accomplishments | During our third-quarter recognition assembly, fine arts students were celebrated across disciplines. Special shoutouts were given to our Scholastic Art Award winners, Youth Art Month artists, WSMA Solo and Ensemble participants, and Jerry Award nominees.

Angelaires Auditions | Auditions are Wednesday, April 15, after school. Interested students will need to prepare 32 measures (about one minute) of a song from a contemporary Broadway, pop, jazz, or radio song that showcases their voice. There will also be a short dance audition and some music reading.

Information on audition workshops will be communicated to students via Teams.

Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind | Join us in DSHA's Arena Theatre April 23-25 for our Acting Studio performance of Chicago's longest-running show. Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind is an ensemble experiment in presenting “30 Plays in 60 Minutes.” Each two-minute play is performed in random order with an interactive audience. An onstage 60-minute timer keeps everyone honest. Tickets for this wildly hilarious theater experiment will be sold at the door for $11 minus whatever you roll on a six-sided die. More information coming soon!

Spring Choral Concert | See the DSHA Concert Choir and Angelaires perform May 1 at 7 p.m. in DSHA's Robert & Marie Hansen Family Fine Arts Theatre.

Frozen Auditions | Audition information for our fall musical will be posted online May 1. Auditions will be held after school on May 26; callbacks will be May 27.

Contact Director of Liturgical Music, Choirs, & Theatre Zach Ziegler with any questions.

DASHER ATHLETICS

NEW! National Letter of Intent Signings | The DSHA Athletic Department is proud to announce that the following Dashers will be signing their letters of intent on Wednesday, April 15:

• Maddie Brown, DSHA ’26: Volleyball at Winona State University
• Maggie Brzezinski, DSHA ’26: Swimming at Catholic University
• Journey Franz, DSHA ’26: Softball at Florida National University
• Maddie Hodges, DSHA ’26: Rowing at Creighton University
• Emily Kitowski, DSHA ’26: Volleyball at St. Norbert University
• Zion Lavoe, DSHA ’26: Rugby at Brown University
• Meghan Quesnell, DSHA ‘26: Soccer at Rockhurst University

We will be celebrating these student-athletes during early lunch in the Commons at 10:55 a.m. Please come join in the celebration! 

NEW! Spring Sports Thankful Thursday Masses | Spring sports will celebrate Mass together on the dates below. All levels are invited to attend. The team will take a photo following Mass.

• Thursday, April 23: Soccer and softball
• Thursday, May 7: Rugby

NEW! Basketball All-Conference Honors | Congratulations to Maddie Brown, DSHA '26, for receiving first-team all-conference in the 2025-26 Greater Metro Conference Basketball All-Conference Honors. Congratulations to Mia Minessale, DSHA ‘26, Sophia Place, DSHA ‘27, and Sarah McElherne, DSHA ‘28, for receiving Greater Metro Conference Basketball Honorable Mention All-Conference Honors.

NEW! Basketball Academic All-Conference | Congratulations to Brailey Baxter, DSHA ‘27; Maddie Brown, DSHA ‘26; Emily Frank, DSHA ‘26; Lillian Lancaster, DSHA ‘26; Mia Minessale, DSHA ‘26; Sophia Place, DSHA ‘27; Meghan Quesnell, DSHA ‘26; Liza Quesnell, DSHA ‘27; Marge Richburg, DSHA ‘26; and Avery Roethe, DSHA ‘27,for being named to the Greater Metro Conference Academic All-Conference Team

NEW! Basketball Academic All-State | Congratulations to the DSHA varsity basketball program for achieving Academic All-State honors with a grade point average of 3.975. Congratulations girls!

Spring Sports Picture Day | All spring sports photos will be taken on Monday, March 30 in the gym. Your daughter's coach will have information on the precise time and how to order photos.

Contact Athletics Administrative Assistant Allison Gill with any questions.

SPECIAL EVENTS

NEW! For the Love of DSHA | Thank you to our DSHA community for showing us the love at our annual auction. Together, we raised more than $300,000 for scholarships, plus more to support our mission.

Join Us for Mother Daughter Mass | We invite DSHA mothers and special mother figures to attend Sunday Mass on April 26.

This year, as a new tradition, we are honored to welcome current students and their mothers, alumnae and their mothers, and our incoming freshman families to celebrate the special bond shared across generations of Dashers.

Following Mass, enjoy a continental breakfast with coffee and tea, along with a hands-on floral arranging experience.

Join Us for Grandparent Liturgy | Grandparents and special grandparent-like figures are invited to join Dashers for Mass and breakfast at DSHA on April 29.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

FROM OUR PARENT ASSOCIATIONS

PA Volunteer Opportunities | The Parent Association is looking for one more volunteer for the April 15 Staff Breakfast, and for a few more parents to join the team for Teacher Appreciation Week planning. 

NEW! PFAA Fine Arts Awards Night on Wednesday, May 6 | Please save the date for the annual PFAA Fine Arts Awards Night on May 6 at 6:30 p.m. at DSHA. We will celebrate all of our students’ artistic and creative achievements in the 2025-26 academic year, and there have been many. Please join us!

PFAA Meeting on Tuesday, March 31 | Due to Easter break, our April meeting will take place on March 31 at 7 p.m. in the DSHA Board Room. We will discuss how we can help move the arts forward at DSHA, and we need you to be part of the discussion. The PFAA supports all the fine arts at DSHA: Visual Arts, Instrumental Music, Vocal Music, Theatre, and many others. Consider joining us! Dues are only $25 a year, and your contribution will go far!

Questions? Contact Parent Fine Arts Association President Emma Gillette.

Lenten Morning of Reflection at Marquette University High School | Looking for a special way to take a step back this Lent to repent, reflect, and renew? Consider joining us for The Mothers Guild Lenten Morning of Reflection which will take place on Tuesday, March 24 at Marquette University High School, sponsored by the MUHS Mothers Guild.  

The event will begin with Mass in the Three Holy Companions Chapel at 9:30 a.m., followed with Mary's Way of the Cross (Stations of the Cross through the eyes of Mary). The morning will conclude with a special speaker, Anne Auger sharing her perspective on "The Gift of Womanhood" while enjoying a few refreshments. The event will conclude by 11:45 a.m. There is no cost associated with this program. Join us for a reflective morning of prayer & fellowship with other women!

For registration information, contact Elisa Gricunas or Mindy Hughes.

WE'RE HIRING

Work at DSHA | Join our network of professionals at a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-recognized top workplace. We're currently hiring for these roles:



• Director of Student Services
• Math teacher
• Cross country assistant coach