Alumna Profile – Theresa Krauskopf

1. How long were you homeschooled through Seton, and what did you like about the experience?

I was homeschooled for my whole life, but I used Seton for five years: 7th grade and all four years of high school.

I liked how challenging and interesting the materials were, particularly the literature courses. In addition, the ability to work at my own pace helped immensely, so that I didn’t need to be held back with others simply because we were in the same age group.

Really taking Catholicism seriously was another benefit. I did my religion classes with Dad and loved it! The 12th grade religion course, in particular, was an excellent foundation for my faith.

Finally, I got to spend a lot of time with my family! My parents and I are very close, and I can truly say my sisters are my best friends — not only because we were near each other so much, but because we shared the same experiences through Seton.

2. Where did you go to college, and what is your degree?

I am currently a freshman at the University of Louisville, pursuing a bachelor of science degree in dental hygiene.

3. How did your Seton education help you navigate the college experience?

First of all, being comfortable working and planning on my own has enabled me to transition smoothly into college.

The advanced nature of the Seton courses also put me far ahead of most of my college classmates. While my friends were struggling to grasp genetics, I was able to breeze through and focus on subjects such as sociology, which I found more challenging because I had never studied them before.

Finally, I shudder to think what would have happened to my faith here at U of L if I had not received a solid foundation from Seton’s religion courses.

The environment here is just about as far from Catholic as is possible, and I have seen many cases of classmates who were raised Catholic and either gave it up during college or believed they could stay Catholic while embracing ideologies contradictory to Church teaching. I praise God that He has given me the grace to learn and keep the Faith!

4. What are you doing now?

I’m working hard in college, and so far I am keeping A’s in all my classes. I also take classical guitar lessons and sing. In addition, I am working part-time at McDonald’s, where I am training to become a shift manager.

On top of all this, I am seriously discerning a vocation to the religious life with the Passionist nuns in Owensboro, KY.

5. What gives you passion or motivation in your current occupation?

I love learning, and I always have. I find academics fascinating and worthwhile, especially when they require me to think deeply and come to my own conclusions. I have to do a lot of deep thinking, particularly about the secular philosophies that are a staple at my university.

And yet this is not enough — without the light of a strong faith, I would have become discouraged long ago by the constant bombardment I experience with ideologies and practices that fly in the face of the laws of nature and of nature’s God!

Without Him my life really means nothing, and if I have Him, I am filled with joy and peace, encouraging me to go on in His service.

6. Any advice for current Seton High-Schoolers?

You can do it! I know that book analysis seems like the end of the world, or that history test seriously took you two hours, but it will all be worth it. If you choose to go to college, take my word that a Seton education will put you in the top ranks.

Also, never forget that your Faith is the most important part of your life.

Take St. Paul at his word and do all for the glory of God — imagine how much holiness you can gain from patiently working through four years of Seton . . . !