On December 3, Trinity Hall warmly welcomed Victoria Gmelich as the school’s 50th Women in Leadership series speaker. The Women in Leadership series was created to inspire students through the stories of successful women in leadership positions spanning various fields of work and interest. Victoria Gmelich, an alumnae parent, trustee, and distinguished benefactor of the school, spoke to the community and shared her personal story.
Gmelich’s speech was truly inspiring, as she shared the unbreakable history of Trinity Hall. As she shared what it means to have the strength of an underdog, Gmelich not only spoke on how Trinity Hall came to be, but also what the process meant to her. She described the many times in her journey where she felt as if all her hard work might not add up and the times where she felt as if she was trying to do the impossible, even while going through her own personal tribulations. And yet, Gmelich never gave up because she was passionate about creating an environment where girls from Monmouth County could thrive.
Coming from an all-girls school, Gmelich knew the importance of an all-girls education and had seen the benefits first hand. With an established all-boys school in the area, she felt it was unfair that girls were not offered the same educational opportunities as their classmates and brothers. However, the journey to establishing an all-girls school in Monmouth County was far from easy. In the face of repeated rejections and denials, Trinity Hall had to fight tooth and nail to become the school it is today.
Gmelich reminded the crowd that when times get tough we must “remember our roots.” Her message deeply resonated with the community, reminding the students that the opportunities at Trinity Hall must not be taken for granted. There once was a time when Trinity Hall was not the school on Fort Monmouth we know today. Like many amazing institutions, Trinity Hall began small. From starting as a school in a rented out building, Trinity Hall has now finished its second renovation on the Fort Monmouth campus, providing students with more classroom spaces and spots to create memories.
Gmelich’s speech truly resonated with the student body at Trinity Hall. Hannah Pollak ‘27 commented that “Mrs. Gmelich’s speech was heartfelt and inspirational and left a lasting impression on [her] perspective and gratitude of the school.” Mackenzie Heim ‘27 remarked that, “Mrs. Gmelich’s speech brought tears to [her] eyes. She is a wonderful example of a woman who has overcome unimaginable circumstances, and she exemplifies our core values in the best ways.”
After her speech, the girls were given time to ask Mrs. Gmelich any questions they had on Trinity Hall or her personal experiences. Overall, the event was a success and a beautiful tribute to the journey of Trinity Hall.