“Education fundamentally changed who I am … and for the better,” says Germaine Polensek ’73. She also adds that “education helps with wealth and well-being, who you become and how you walk in the world.”
Germaine was the only girl in a family of four children. She went to St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, got a bachelor’s degree in accounting at Bowling Green State University, then became a CPA. But when looking back, she loved her time at Villa Angela Academy the most and labels it as “the happiest high school years of anyone I know.” She describes it fondly as the “nicest school in the world,” which provided a true sense of belonging in the school, in the classroom and as part of the Ursuline community.
The Ursulines, like the nuns in Anna Quindlen’s book “Living Out Loud,” teach women to become as fiercely independent as you can be because they were fiercely independent. And Germaine agrees. She believes they helped improve the world and give life more meaning. They definitely inspired their Villa Angela students.
After retiring, Germaine was appointed to the VASJ Advisory Board this year. She wants to give back. And not only is she giving her time, but she has made a significant gift of $5,000 to the school’s
Keeping Our Promises Campaign. As an adjunct faculty member at John Carroll University for several years, she understands the value of education. Her observation is that today’s world is different. People will need different skills going forward, and that requires new teaching and learning methods. The environment, curriculum and structure of the classrooms must change. Collaborative learning is critical, as is the ability to master the technologies of tomorrow. Germaine acknowledges that those elements are a part of VASJ’s campaign to raise $5.5 million to upgrade the school and prepare students for the 21st-century world.
She acknowledges that students today understand the world is a complex place — increasingly so — and to move forward will require making increasingly difficult decisions. They will need new skills to help them walk in the world. With a solid educational foundation, they will make better decisions and ultimately find wisdom.
For people who are thinking about making a gift to the Keeping Our Promises Campaign, Germaine laughingly says, “If you think education is expensive, try ignorance!” She comes from a large family whose economic fortunes range from welfare to millionaires. Her observation is that there are direct correlations between an individual’s level of education, wealth and having a good life. So, invest in the students at VASJ so that they can have a solid educational foundation to begin their life journey.
Her favorite campaign rally is: “The guys got us to $5.2 million, the VA women will take us to the finish line.” Now there’s a challenge!
Germaine and her husband, David Juchnik, have two daughters and three grandchildren. They live in Northfield, surrounded by other members of their family. She enjoys reading fiction and non-fiction and loves to travel.