Bio: Dietsche, Savanna – “You Inspire Us” Award (Mar 2023)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Dietsche, Brandt, Curtis, Hopfensperger, Laschen, Schlough, Frenette, Morrow

----Source: TRG (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 22 Mar 2023

Loyal nonprofit organization Tractors for Autism and Disabilities gives out the “You Inspire Us!” award every year to an individual who has overcome challenges in life and gone on to be successful, serving as an inspiration for others.

This year’s awardee is Loyal resident Savanna Dietsche.

“When I met Savanna, she was a very quiet and shy girl. And now she’s grown into a confident person who excels in life,” said retired Loyal teacher Peggy Brandt.

Savanna faced learning struggles in school, as she has double-deficit dyslexia, the most severe type of dyslexia; as well as attention-deficit disorder, which made it hard to focus.

Savanna witnessed a lot of bullying in school growing up, and initially avoided seeking help on schoolwork because she didn’t want to be seen as different or the only person who didn’t understand. However, she eventually came to the realization that it was OK to ask for help and nothing to be ashamed of.

“You shouldn’t have to hide from your problems. People should like you for you. You shouldn’t hide from something you need help with,” said Dietsche.

In fourth grade, Dietsche started going to the special education room and progressed in her studies through the help of several caring teachers.

“Mrs. (Laurie) Curtis was probably the one who pushed us the most… Mrs. H (Esther Hopfensperger), she was a big help too. She helped me through a lot of issues,” Dietsche said.

Mary Laschen was another instrumental teacher in Dietsche’s life. She was always willing to work with Savanna one on one, and invited her to come to her classroom if regular classroom instruction got to be overwhelming.

As much as Dietsche learned from her teachers, she also gave back by helping the other kids in the special education program. She especially enjoyed helping with math, her “absolute favorite” subject.

“Savanna was awesome in my program. The whole time she was in high school, she always volunteered to work with the younger kids. She was always willing to help me as well and tried. That was the most important thing — she always tried very hard to be successful. And I’m very proud of her,” said Curtis.

After graduation, Dietsche continued helping kids by volunteering with Tractors for Autism and Disabilities’ after school tutoring program, which provides a quiet place for one-on-one support for students who could use extra assistance on their homework. Knowing what it’s like to struggle with academics, Dietsche said she’s been uniquely able to relate to the kids in the after school program.

“I feel like I’ve helped a lot with kids too. They come to me and they tell me what’s wrong or if they need something, or if something’s wrong in their home or something like that,” she said. “I want to show them, with me having issues too, you can work through those issues and live a full life.”

Dietsche’s enjoyment working with kids translated into her career. She runs an in-home daycare. She likes planning the kids’ activities for each day and watching them grow and learn.

Dietsche is engaged to her fiancé, Dylan, and they plan to be married in October.

“Dylan’s my rock… If I need help on anything, he’s there for me,” Dietsche said.

Dietsche had her name added to a plaque that will be displayed in the Tractors for Autism and Disabilities building (the old convent on Spring Street). She joins past “You Inspire Us!” awardees Anna Moore, Krysten Hefko (in memoriam), Jacob Lobner, Erika Morrow (in memoriam), Mindi Frenette, Chelsey Schlough and Hopfensperger.

Dietsche offered some advice for those dealing with their own learning disability, advice that anyone could take to heart.

“Be yourself. Don’t change yourself because you want other people to like you, because you’ll find those people. If they really do like you, they’ll be your friend.”