vGENERATIONS continued from page 19 explained that not many women continued to obtain a college education. Though she does wish there were more community support for our great school system, she continued, “I always felt like I was prepared for college and had a good education.” Heather agreed with her mom. “That’s why I moved back,” she said. “I want my kids to have the exact same upbringing as my parents had, or as I had. I know Yankton and I know what I’m getting and I just wanted that for my kids.” Pesicka Dawn (Christensen) Pesicka came from a family of 9 who all attended school in Yankton. Seven of the children planted roots in their hometown including Dawn and husband Doug Pesicka. She describes the quaint town as a “peaceful, quiet but energetic place to live.” Though moving away for a few years, she knew that she and Doug would return to Yankton to raise their children to have them go through this school system. The couple had a son, Tate and daughter, Nealy. Both children athletic, Tate participated in basketball, football and track while Nealy took part in basketball and soccer. Though both Pesicka children left town after graduation, they have come back to reside in Yankton for now. Tate, a USD graduate, enjoys his job at A-OX welding supply and likes Yankton’s strong sense of community, the lake and river and being back home near his friends. Nealy also a graduate from USD, serving as mental health aide at the Human Services Center, agreed with her mom that Yankton is “a great place, energetic and lively in its own ways.” Though 27 years spanned among Dawn’s graduation from YHS in the 80’s through Tate’s in 2006 and Nealy’s in 2010, there was one commonality over the years. Mrs. Judy Tereshinski, one of Dawn’s favorite teachers. She laughs as she explains how she “threatened” Mrs. T. saying, “You absolutely will continue teaching until my children come into this school.” And continue to teach she did! We laughed. Nealy said Senora T. as she refers to her, was her favorite teacher. Dawn loved all of her teachers from elementary school through high school, with special mention of Loy Gravholt, and continued, “I can’t speak enough about the teachers in our school system. I’ve enjoyed my teachers teaching my kids in high school. That’s been fun for me.” Tate, like his mom, had several favorite teachers: Bob Beard, Jason Oswald and his dad, Doug Pesicka. He laughed, “Having your dad in the building, if you do something wrong he’ll know about it right away.” he continued, “Yankton has some great educators.” Dawn appreciated the opportunities her children had by being 20vHERVOICEvMAY/JUNE 2016 able to participate in several activities. In her tenure, you were either out for band, or athletics, or plays, but didn’t go out for more than one activity. Her children had more options and took advantage of them, taking part in both athletics and plays. Tate, reflecting on his Senior year, was recruited to take part in the YHS play production of Westside Story. Though a small part, his character “Red” yelling out two words, he admits, “that was one of the best experiences of my life.” Several things changed after Dawn graduated from YHS, explaining how the adjustment in the homecoming celebration over the years was a huge change for her. Having been on the Arickara club during high school, homecoming, for her, was the highlight of every single school year. When Arickara transitioned to Pioneer Days, Dawn felt like it lost some of the power and enthusiasm behind it which her kids were missing out on. Senior pictures were important to Dawn, explaining them as, “a really big deal. How many outfits can I wear, what poses can I do?” Tate admitted they weren’t such a big deal to him. “But you’re a guy,” his sister cracked as we all laughed. “It’s still a big deal,” Nealy said. “It’s very important to pick out pictures when you’re a senior.” Tate compares his high school on Summit Street to his mom’s school on Mulberry Street. “It’s weird for me to think about my mom going to high school at the now middle school. It seems so small.” Dawn added, “I love that my old high school is a middle school now.” Specht/Silvernail Deb (Budig) Specht moved to Yankton the summer before her sophomore year. Born in Minnesota, she lived in the Rochester, Duluth and Minneapolis area until her family moved to Rapid City during her 8th grade year. Later uprooted and forced to move again as a sophomore, Furniture eclaimeord R Home Dec ind One-Of-A-K ed Refurbish Furniture d Stop In An e See All Th eces! Unique Pi Rita’s Purse–o–Nalities Yankton Mall 260-8362