Then and Now - Assumption High School

Then and Now
Becky Henle, Principal
I love that the focus of
our Community Connection
for this year is “Then
and Now.” Personally,
Becky Henle I’ve always felt connected
to the past and those who
came before me, but at the same time, I’ve
always lived in the present and enjoyed each
day of the “now” and all it brings to my life.
My years in Mercy education as a teacher,
parent, and administrator have taught me
that the Sisters of Mercy share this dual approach
to appreciating life. By their words
and their actions they reflect that they
embrace the opportunity to “stand on the
shoulders” of those who came before them,
including Catherine McAuley and Frances
Warde. They use the wisdom learned and
vision obtained from the past to make decisions
in the present and to grow into the
future. I am constantly inspired when I witness
how our graduates embrace this way of
living – they make positive contributions to
our world AND they inspire those who come
after them. Our alumnae and our students
are the “then” and the “now.”
Recently, I was at the funeral home for
the visitation of the father of my best friend
from high school. This friend cares for her
special needs sister, and I had the pleasure of
meeting many of their friends who also have
special needs family members. When one
of these friends heard that I was principal
of Assumption, she couldn’t wait to share
two stories with me. She didn’t realize how
interconnected the two stories were. Her
son Ben went to Pitt Academy for elementary
school, and as it was “then” and as it is
“now,” our students served at the school
through the ACTS program. Ben met and
grew attached to Laura Wallitsch Durbin `01;
his mother tells about the beautiful, loving
care she gave him during the sophomore
service program. Laura graduated from
Assumption, went on to get her degree in
special education, and is now teaching.
Then, she was a caring and compassionate
high school student serving those less
fortunate. Now, she is doing the same and
inspiring others to do so – Laura was the
guest speaker at our ACTS Closing Prayer
Service in the spring of 2010.
I know that Laura and many other alumnae
back “then” inspire our students “now” to
live the values of Catherine McAuley. I know
this with certainty because this special needs
mom’s story continues. She and Ben work
out at a gym in Eastgate as often as they can,
and sometimes she says it’s difficult to get
Ben motivated to do so. A few weeks ago,
however, they met up with the Assumption
softball team, who as a team were in spring
training at the gym (most likely because
basketball was still going and the other spring
sports are juggling gym and workout room
time). Ben figured out the training schedule,
and he insisted that his mom take him during
the time that our Rockets were there. He
loved being around the girls – and not just
because they were pretty. He liked being
around the girls because they were friendly,
thoughtful, respectful, and encouraging.
Ben’s mom couldn’t say enough about how
wonderful Assumption girls are! I have to
agree with her – Assumption girls “then” were
pretty fabulous, and Assumption girls “now”
have carried on the tradition of those who
have come before them. It’s nice when unexpected
stories remind us of the gifts they have
brought to many and the gifts they continue
to bring.
Alicia Morrow Johnson `96,
Alumnae Association President
When I look around
at the faces and places
that make up Assumption High School, I
am immediately in awe of how much has
changed over the years: the uniforms, the
hairstyles, the shoes, and the biggest of them
all-- the building itself! However, what
hasn’t changed is the passion our alumnae
have for our Assumption family.
In an effort to bring these amazing women
together, we have begun to hold networking
events over the past several months. These
networking events were hosted by some
of our very generous alumnae at their
businesses. Alumnae were even given
discounts throughout the week leading up
to the event. We have had great excitement
and would like to plan other events this year.
Do you have a business? Would you want to
host a networking reception? Please contact
Catherine McGeeney `02 at 502.271.2512.
We’d like to give a huge thank you to
Catherine for organizing these events.
We are working very hard to get updated
contact information from our alumnae. We
want to share all the fantastic news and
action going on with the school. Please
visit our website, www.ahsrockets.org, click
Alumnae, then Update Contact Information.
I also want to share with you information
about the increasingly important Fund for
Assumption. As you may know, this fund is
hugely important to AHS because the school
depends on the money we raise for the Fund
for Assumption for financial assistance for
our students who demonstrate need, as well
as for the school programs that make AHS
unique. I’m proud to share with you all that
100% of AHS faculty and staff made a gift,
which is a true testament to their caliber and
to the quality of the AHS experience. Last
year, the alumnae giving was at just 9% of
all graduates. If you haven’t given before,
please consider making even a small gift to
the Fund for Assumption. I would love to
see that number of 9% increase to 100%!
The school’s fiscal year ends June 30, so
anyone can donate online or by mailing
a check in the envelope found in your
magazine before June 30 to be a donor this
fiscal year.
I wish you all a safe, happy, and warm
summer!
Thank you,
Alicia
Alicia Morrow Johnson
Class of 1996
Aliciagc3@hotmail.com
502.777.9540
2 Assumption Magazine Spring 2011