From the DHS Board Chair
Dear Fellow Duchesne Alumni,
It is a great day to be a Pioneer! There is so much excitement happening at Duchesne High School, and we invite you to join us. For instance, last weekend the boys soccer team won the Missouri Class 1 state championship, on the feast day of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne! That is truly a blessing!
I wish you could have attended the Pioneer Pathways, Blazing Our Trail for the Future event on November 16 when we heard four Duchesne students talk about their experiences in attending Duchesne and what it has meant to them. We were able to take a tour that evening and see the changes in the buildings which brought back many special memories. I am proud to say, I went to Duchesne, too, and it still means a lot to me as a family.
On July 1, 2023, Duchesne entered a new era as the Archdiocese of St. Louis incorporated Duchesne (and the other Archdiocesan high schools) into separate legal entities with a new governing board. This board now has more local responsibility and authority for the operations and direction of the school. We are off to a strong start and committed to a thriving Duchesne for generations to come. We are grateful for the continued support of the Archdiocese during this period of transition.
Duchesne is still creating special memories as it moves into the next century of its existence. There is a rich history to Duchesne over the past 100 years. We are now embarking on a strategic planning effort, launched this past summer, to take Duchesne forward. We look forward to sharing more about that early next year when the plan is finalized.
We anticipate a significant rise in freshman admissions for the 2024 – 2025 school year. We already are seeing a 50% increase in applications over the prior year and are working toward a freshman class of approximately 70 students in August. We are building the momentum for continued growth over the next several years. If you know any seventh or eighth graders in the area, encourage them to check out Duchesne. The house system, academics and other unique facets of student life at Duchesne are strong.
I could go on with many other exciting activities at Duchesne. What is important is that we continue to support the efforts of Susan Noonan, who took on the president role in July 2021, and the entire team at Duchesne who work hard every day in shaping leaders in mind, body, and spirit.
On behalf of the entire Board, we ask you to consider making a meaningful gift for Duchesne. There are two ways you can do that – the Pioneer Fund and iGiveCatholic which happens next Tuesday, November 28. The Pioneer Fund supplements tuition to cover operating expenses, a large portion of which is for the salaries and benefits of the outstanding faculty and staff. The iGiveCatholic campaign allows Duchesne to update facilities to enhance the education offered to the students. This year, the iGiveCatholic funds will go toward projects and programs such as a new virtual reality lab, a greenhouse, a dance studio, a new floor in the weight room, and more academic scholarships.
Think back about the special memories you have from attending Duchesne and the friendships you built. Perhaps you even keep in contact with friends from that time. Duchesne is family. Let's continue the family for many years to come. Your gift will make a REAL difference in the lives of students today and tomorrow.
With gratitude,
Theresa (Lynch) Ruzicka, '78
Chair, Duchesne High School Board of Directors
P.S. If you have been communicating with a Duchesne board member about a gift, please make that known as we have a generous donor who will match board giving and other alumni giving as a result of interacting with a board member. The donor will also match gifts from those who significantly increase their financial support of Duchesne.