Dusty Budd ’97

My name is Dusty Budd. I attended St. Dominic School from 1989-1997.  It was the best experience I had in school.  Aside from the fact that the school developed me during those “tween”  years,  the life long friendships I developed were by far the most beneficial.  I’m still in contact with many of those students in my class and the classes below and above me.  I’m still friends with many, and those friendships are 20 years old (4/5 of my life!) and continuing.  The other classmates I run into at various locales and it’s like we’ve never been apart.  Plus, I found the benefits of small class sizes and sticking with the same class as you progress through the grades is key to creating those friendships.  In public schools, kids get split up from grade to grade, not at St. Dominic.  There’s only one class for each grade level so the teachers get to know you very well.
When I go back to visit, it’s like I never left–the sense of welcoming is always present.  Plus, part of the curriculum is going to church weekly and classes would run the mass.  When my class was doing that, I ended up reading during the mass.  I found I was not nervous or scared.  I followed up with that by going to school for broadcasting and am currently the News/Sports Director for KYMN, the local radio station in Northfield.  This is a very public profession that requires me to speak to thousands of people everyday–and that “skill” was developed at St. Dominic School.

Cindy Stangler Green ’72

I am Cindy Stangler Green and I attended St. Dominic School from 1965-1972. During those years we wore plaid wool uniforms, you addressed some teachers as Sister, we loved our hot lunches and our Saints sports teams. I played volleyball, softball and cheered for the boys basketball team. School spirit and pride were high back then. Some of my favorite memories were making banners for church, singing religious songs and Math class with Sister Rita Jirik. She made me fall in love with math.  I could be myself with my teachers and friends because I always felt safe in this school.  That was one reason I sent my four children here.  The life long friendships that developed, the sense of belonging and the compassion that comes with Catholic education is what I valued at St. Dominic school.  The academics have always been excellent, with students graduating at the top of their high school classes. I am so proud of my children and the way they have grown to be responsible, caring and productive individuals.  When it came time for me to find a teaching position, there was only one place I wanted to be and that was here at St. Dominic School!

Jean Noack ’82

My name is Jean (Skluzacek) Noack. I attended St. Dominic School from 1976-1982. I have many fond memories of St. Dominic School….. singing and playing guitar at the weekly children’s masses, staying overnight at the convent with the nuns and the girls from my 8th grade class, and riding the bus over to the middle school in 7th and 8th grade. I now have three kids attending St. Dominic School. Adam is a 6th grader this year, Gabbie is a 4th grader, and Clara is in the 2nd grade.
We chose to send our kids to St. Dominic School because we wanted them to experience the same faith-based education that I was so lucky to receive. Also, we wanted them to be part of the bigger family at St. D’s where the younger kids look up to the older kids at the school. The older kids learn to be role models for the younger ones and practice their leadership skills. St. Dominic School was great start for me. I’m happy to be giving my kids the same great start!

Tom Devney

My name is Tom Devney, and I attended St Dominic School in the late ’60s and early ‘70s. I have wonderful memories of my time at St D’s. I enjoyed athletics, and remember fun times spent on the playground. Most of all, I value the relationships formed at St. Dominic. I still see many of my classmates, and share a lifetime bond with them. My wife and I appreciate the strong academic and Catholic education that St. Dominic’s provides, and chose to send our four children there.

Janet Tritch ’82