![De Smet Jesuit alumnus stands next to UMKC School of Dentistry sign, "chose De Smet for brotherhood & rigorous academics..."]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1663761942/desmet/eyphoaxfeudpau3y8smh/AlexMyers2018UMKCDDS2026.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1663761942/desmet/eyphoaxfeudpau3y8smh/AlexMyers2018UMKCDDS2026.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1663761942/desmet/eyphoaxfeudpau3y8smh/AlexMyers2018UMKCDDS2026.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1663761942/desmet/eyphoaxfeudpau3y8smh/AlexMyers2018UMKCDDS2026.png","width":1080}])
We asked our alumni: why did they choose De Smet Jesuit High School? Here's one answer to #WhyDeSmet.
Blog Voices Archive
![#Why De Smet testimony from public school family]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1663699792/desmet/lnyp2toreftpmnbzgwbq/LaBonteFamilyPublicSchool.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1663699792/desmet/lnyp2toreftpmnbzgwbq/LaBonteFamilyPublicSchool.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1663699792/desmet/lnyp2toreftpmnbzgwbq/LaBonteFamilyPublicSchool.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1663699792/desmet/lnyp2toreftpmnbzgwbq/LaBonteFamilyPublicSchool.png","width":1080}])
We asked our parents: what made them choose De Smet Jesuit High School? Here's one answer to #WhyDeSmet.
![black and white photo from 1990s group of students holding Cliff notes in hallway]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1662134225/desmet/aycunhvvcbmpdw1dnzw0/IMG_2018Cliffnotesinhallway.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1662134225/desmet/aycunhvvcbmpdw1dnzw0/IMG_2018Cliffnotesinhallway.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1662134225/desmet/aycunhvvcbmpdw1dnzw0/IMG_2018Cliffnotesinhallway.jpg","width":768}])
It's high school reunion time and 30 years post graduation for Rob Bergman, Star Wars fan and former punk know-it-all. He has a few bits of wisdom to share.
![Photo of brown kitchen table with four chairs.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1661457297/desmet/yfnrosq7wfdq8jiqsn8o/Bergmantable.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1661457297/desmet/yfnrosq7wfdq8jiqsn8o/Bergmantable.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1661457297/desmet/yfnrosq7wfdq8jiqsn8o/Bergmantable.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1661457297/desmet/yfnrosq7wfdq8jiqsn8o/Bergmantable.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1661457297/desmet/yfnrosq7wfdq8jiqsn8o/Bergmantable.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1661457297/desmet/yfnrosq7wfdq8jiqsn8o/Bergmantable.jpg","width":2200}])
English teacher Robert Bergman '93 is back with his first reflection of the new school year: thoughts on a kitchen table's place in a family.
![black white photo of student with testimonial about why he chose De Smet Jesuit]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1659702957/desmet/x1l3g2ek98ahayn9dr7b/BryanTraughber97.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1659702957/desmet/x1l3g2ek98ahayn9dr7b/BryanTraughber97.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1659702957/desmet/x1l3g2ek98ahayn9dr7b/BryanTraughber97.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1659702957/desmet/x1l3g2ek98ahayn9dr7b/BryanTraughber97.png","width":1080}])
We asked our students and teachers: what made them feel like they belonged at De Smet Jesuit High School? Here's one answer to #WhyDeSmet.
![Photo of man in wearing a black suit and deacon's collar, speaking into a microphone outside.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1653421518/desmet/et0eumrgda2rypmrvlny/charlesallen.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1653421518/desmet/et0eumrgda2rypmrvlny/charlesallen.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1653421518/desmet/et0eumrgda2rypmrvlny/charlesallen.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1653421518/desmet/et0eumrgda2rypmrvlny/charlesallen.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1653421518/desmet/et0eumrgda2rypmrvlny/charlesallen.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1653421518/desmet/et0eumrgda2rypmrvlny/charlesallen.jpg","width":2200}])
In this moving tribute to his dear friend, Robert Bergman '93 reminds us that a smile and a kind word can touch people forever.
![black white photo of student with testimonial about why he chose De Smet Jesuit]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1647360753/desmet/ershr3t9kz4cjgg5pqrq/LukeBurns2023.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1647360753/desmet/ershr3t9kz4cjgg5pqrq/LukeBurns2023.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1647360753/desmet/ershr3t9kz4cjgg5pqrq/LukeBurns2023.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1647360753/desmet/ershr3t9kz4cjgg5pqrq/LukeBurns2023.png","width":1080}])
We asked our students: which classes, clubs, or teams made them feel like they belonged at De Smet Jesuit High School? Here's one answer to #WhyDeSmet.
![aerial view of beach and blue ocean and boat]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1648483811/desmet/m9143er2hooneatg9xt7/GhanabyHAnyimadu23.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1648483811/desmet/m9143er2hooneatg9xt7/GhanabyHAnyimadu23.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1648483811/desmet/m9143er2hooneatg9xt7/GhanabyHAnyimadu23.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1648483811/desmet/m9143er2hooneatg9xt7/GhanabyHAnyimadu23.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1648483811/desmet/m9143er2hooneatg9xt7/GhanabyHAnyimadu23.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1648483811/desmet/m9143er2hooneatg9xt7/GhanabyHAnyimadu23.jpg","width":2200}])
Give a student a drone for Christmas and a trip to visit family (in Ghana) and watch what happens.
![black white photo of student with testimonial about why he chose De Smet Jesuit]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1647360754/desmet/br49poyo999fxjijg8ek/JarenJackson2024.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1647360754/desmet/br49poyo999fxjijg8ek/JarenJackson2024.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1647360754/desmet/br49poyo999fxjijg8ek/JarenJackson2024.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1647360754/desmet/br49poyo999fxjijg8ek/JarenJackson2024.png","width":1080}])
We asked our students: why did you choose to come to De Smet Jesuit High School? Here's one answer to #WhyDeSmet.
![black and white photo, close up of finger pointing toward viewer, blurred person in background]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1647892440/desmet/fpl20rhpzg8xz5swy8du/bergmanblogyou2022-03-21.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1647892440/desmet/fpl20rhpzg8xz5swy8du/bergmanblogyou2022-03-21.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1647892440/desmet/fpl20rhpzg8xz5swy8du/bergmanblogyou2022-03-21.png","width":600}])
With one quarter left for this year's seniors, Mr. Bergman looks back over the last few years with profound gratitude.
![black white photo of student with testimonial about why he chose De Smet Jesuit]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1647360753/desmet/ebafh3p4whgb0aruxipa/BradySchmidt2022.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1647360753/desmet/ebafh3p4whgb0aruxipa/BradySchmidt2022.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1647360753/desmet/ebafh3p4whgb0aruxipa/BradySchmidt2022.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1647360753/desmet/ebafh3p4whgb0aruxipa/BradySchmidt2022.png","width":1080}])
We asked our students: how do you feel when you arrive at school each morning? Here's one answer to #WhyDeSmet.
![Priest in purple vestment makes a cross of ashes on the forehead of. a teenage boy.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1647271502/desmet/cefjdlfaah3j2z2aw4vv/WEB-editAshes-JLorimier.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1647271502/desmet/cefjdlfaah3j2z2aw4vv/WEB-editAshes-JLorimier.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1647271502/desmet/cefjdlfaah3j2z2aw4vv/WEB-editAshes-JLorimier.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1647271502/desmet/cefjdlfaah3j2z2aw4vv/WEB-editAshes-JLorimier.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1647271502/desmet/cefjdlfaah3j2z2aw4vv/WEB-editAshes-JLorimier.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1647271502/desmet/cefjdlfaah3j2z2aw4vv/WEB-editAshes-JLorimier.jpg","width":1800}])
Adapted from the Ash Wednesday 2022 homily given by Rev. Ronald R. O’Dwyer, S.J., at De Smet Jesuit.
Photo by Jacob Lorimier '22
![student wears apron in front of stove in kitchen, Chinese characters on screen below]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1647026924/desmet/aszjh4o8umgesdzmjwvi/FriedRiceIronChefGrahamLabonte2022.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1647026924/desmet/aszjh4o8umgesdzmjwvi/FriedRiceIronChefGrahamLabonte2022.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1647026924/desmet/aszjh4o8umgesdzmjwvi/FriedRiceIronChefGrahamLabonte2022.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1647026924/desmet/aszjh4o8umgesdzmjwvi/FriedRiceIronChefGrahamLabonte2022.png","width":1025}])
How to make fried rice...and share it with your family! Graham Labonte '24 is this year's Iron Chef for Mrs. Tseng's Chinese classes. Enjoy his reflection AND video for this popular project!
![Cartoon illustration of Spider-Man.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1642704095/desmet/h6rx1cq1x4z86rmkqvt0/SpiderMan.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1642704095/desmet/h6rx1cq1x4z86rmkqvt0/SpiderMan.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1642704095/desmet/h6rx1cq1x4z86rmkqvt0/SpiderMan.png","width":800}])
Superheroes teacher Robert Bergman '93 reflects on Spider-Man and second chances.
![black and white photo, dad holds son's hand, blurred market in background]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1637615244/desmet/ms95qfvfvfzjnyz6mwjx/062021holdhands.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1637615244/desmet/ms95qfvfvfzjnyz6mwjx/062021holdhands.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1637615244/desmet/ms95qfvfvfzjnyz6mwjx/062021holdhands.png","width":600}])
Teacher and dad Robert Bergman '93 reminisces about parental hand holding and notes the importance of a student's space in a classroom.