Rosary
the
Summer 2013, Vol. 31, No. 2
review
50th Anniversary Celebration Page 21
50 Years—50 Facts About Rosary See page 18
Rosary Builds a House in Haiti Page 25
The Rosary Review Summer 2013, Volume 31, Number 2
Board of Directors Springfield Dominican Sisters MEMBER BOARD Sr. Rose Marie Riley, O.P. Sr. Barbara Blesse, O.P. Sr. Rebecca Ann Gemma, O.P. Sr. Kathleen Cour, O.P. Sr. Kathlyn Mulcahy, O.P.
Class of 2013 Graduation.................................................1 Student Spotlight..............................................................5 Faculty Spotlight.............................................................11
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mrs. Susan Arnold Mr. Peter Bakala Mrs. Kathleen Benoit ‘76 Sr. Barbara Blesse, O.P. Sr. M. Dominica Brennan, O.P. Mrs. Marge Bryan Sr. Patricia Burke, O.P., Principal Mr. Doug Cheatham Austin Dempsey Dr. Diane Fabrizius ‘76 Mrs. Vera Feltes Sr. Kathleen Gallagher, O.P. Mrs. Dianne Hurrell ‘77 Dr. Stephen Juriga Mrs. Michele Kelly Mr. Robert Kirtley Mr. Andrew Konovodoff Mr. Stephen Miller Mr. John Reale Mr. Michael Roche, Chair Sr. Jean Patrice Schingel, O.P. Mr. Jerry Trannel
The Rosary Review The Rosary Review is published three times per year by Rosary High School for students, families, alumnae, staff, and friends of Rosary. Contributing Writers: Vicki Danklefsen, Deborah Olson, Sherry See, Linda Fritz, Judy Driscoll, and Katelyn Pietraszak. Contributing Photographers: Vicki Danklefsen, Feltes Photography, Rachael Bamrick, Faith Etheredge, Brian Cole, and Rosary Archives. Send questions and comments to Vicki Danklefsen, Director of Communications, at vdanklefsen@rosaryhs.com or call (630) 896-0831 x33. Address corrections: Please contact Deborah Olson, Director of Alumnae, at doslon@ rosaryhs.com or call (630) 896-0831 x19.
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Athletics..........................................................................14 50 Years—50 Facts..........................................................18 50th Anniversary Celebration.........................................21 School Life......................................................................23 Development..................................................................26 Alumnae News................................................................30
Our Mission Rosary High School is a Catholic, college preparatory school for young women sponsored by the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois. Rooted in the gospel values of Jesus Christ, Rosary High School is committed to the mission of educating and developing Christian leaders in the Dominican tradition.
Rosary High School 901 N. Edgelawn Drive, Aurora, Illinois 60506 (630) 896-0831 www.rosaryhs.com
Class of 2013 Congratulations to the 101 Graduates of the Class of 2013
Rosary High School held its Baccalaureate Mass and Graduation Ceremony for the Class of 2013 on May 21 at St. John Neumann Church in St. Charles, Illinois. Diplomas were presented by Sr. Patricia Burke, O.P., principal, Ms. Michelle Salerno, assistant principal, and Mrs. Cassie Volpe, senior class moderator. Music was provided by Rosary’s orchestra and chorus, accompanied by Ms. Ann Mary Wagner and directed by Mr. Mike Ferguson. Graduation speakers were Valedictorian Jesika Barmanbek and Colleen Madlinger, Catherine of Siena Scholar.
Achievements of the Class of 2013 • 86% College Scholaship Receipients • $13.4 million in college scholarships • 100% College-bound • 46.5% are National Honor Society members • 23 named Catherine of Siena Scholars • 23 Illinois State Scholars • 1 National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalist • 4 National Merit Commended Students • 1 National Merit Hispanic Recognition Student • 70% Honor Roll Students
Valedictorian Jesika Barmanbek said: “On behalf of my class, I want to thank all of the parents—especially my mom and my family who have supported me—for sending each of us to Rosary. I really believe it’s the best place to prepare and educate young ladies for college, and for life in general. We’ve had the best of both worlds going to school in a small, caring community, but one where we’re encouraged to push ourselves through having a challenging education.
Jesika Barmanbek Valedictorian
“When I look at all my classmates, I see confident, capable women who will make a positive difference in whatever college they go to or community they will be part of...I’m excited to see where we all end up in the future—from great musicians and math teachers to possibly the first woman to walk on the moon, or become president. Class of 2013, let’s go out into the world as women of veritas.” Jesika plans to major in Chemical Engineering at the University of California at Berkeley. She is the daughter of Tina Barmanbek (‘83) of North Aurora.
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Class of 2013 Candle-Rose Ceremony Honors Seniors and Juniors Seniors and Juniors were recognized at the Candle-Rose Honors Convocation on May 17 at Rosary. Student Council President Meredith Crantz welcomed the students, families, friends and faculty. Individual honors were presented by Principal Sr. Patricia Burke, O.P. Achievements highlighted included Catherine of Siena Scholars, National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists, Illinois State Scholars, National Honor Society members, departmental and club awards, scholarships, and other special awards. Seniors sang their class song, “I’ll Always Remember You” by Hannah Montana. Introducing the CandleRose Ceremony, where seniors pass the torch to the juniors and receive a rose in return, was Senior Class President Erin Bowe.
Catherine of Siena Scholars Twenty-three members of the Class of 2013 were named Catherine of Siena Scholars, Rosary’s highest academic award. Requirements to be met include: a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.80; a minimum of 12 honors courses over a four-year period; a four-year course of study in at least two of the following subject areas: fine arts, foreign language, mathematics, and science; a strong attendance record; and a strong service record. Catherine of Siena Scholars: Back Row: Alexandra Joyce, Fabiola Villalpando, Madelyn Hemmerich, Nicole Filardi, Kaleigh Ellis, Colleen Madlinger, Lauren Mansour; Middle Row: Jesika Barmanbek, Kianna Musaraca, Jennifer Hewitt, Amy Seraphin, Alexandra Bennett; Front Row: Breanna Sanchez, Amalia Mercado, Sydney Price, Aimee Arvayo, Celine Italia, Shannon Ylo; Not Pictured: Amelia Anderson, Courtney Cox, Stephanie Ebert, Taylor Gibson, Molly Piech
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Student Spotlight Hoyda Wins Brattin Civic Youth Award Six Students Awarded Community Foundation Scholarships Junior Julia Hoyda was one of 10 area students given the Brattin Civic Youth Award, presented to students who show significant civic involvement, academic excellence, and well-rounded achievement.
While serving as an aide with the Girl Scouts, Hoyda taught young girls about nature and first aid. She volunteered at religious camp, and designed a program for clients of the Fox Valley Special Recreation Association in Big Rock. “Julia has a great heart and an outstanding work ethic,” says Sister Patricia Burke, O.P., principal of Rosary. Sponsored by the Navy League and the Rotary Club of Aurora, the award is named for the late Ted Brattin, a World War II pilot and Aurora Rotary Club charter president who was dedicated to recognizing citizenship, service and leadership among youth.
Arvayo and Hoyda Named to Daily Herald Fox Valley Leadership Team Senior Aimee Arvayo of Aurora and Junior Julia Hoyda of Sugar Grove were named to the Fox Valley Leadership Team, by the Daily Herald newspaper. Aimee organized a coat drive and food drive, volunteers at Delnor Hospital, and is a volunteer coordinator and coach at Our Lady of Good Counsel School. “By helping others in a variety of environments, including hospitals, parishes, schools, and special programs, my goal of becoming an endocrinologist and Surgeon General has been continually reaffirmed,” Aimee says. She was nominated by Theology teacher James Sanders who says, “Aimee is an exceptionally bright student whose intellect is matched by her work ethic…More important, Aimee is an exceptionally good person who is genuinely admired by the students and faculty alike. She’s a morally mature, grounded, and enthusiastic student who projects a great deal of presence.”
Six Rosary graduates were awarded scholarships from the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley: Aimee Arvayo, the Shirley M. Hurd Education Scholarship; Madeline Augustyn, the Richard H. Rokop, Sr. Memorial Scholarship; Morgan Chase, the Dunham Scholarship; Elizabeth Kupar, the Willett & Peffers Families Scholarship; Amalia Mercado, the Zonta Club of the Aurora Area Scholarship; and Amy Seraphin, the Howard E. Charles, Jr. Scholarship. Since 1949, the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley has awarded more than $9.5 million in scholarships. The Community Foundation 2013 Scholarship Program offers scholarships to students who will attend an accredited institution of higher education on a full-time basis during the 2013-2014 academic year. The Community Foundation is a collection of individual funds and resources given by local citizens to enhance and support the quality of life in the Fox River Valley. This tax-exempt public charity allows individuals, businesses, and other non-profit organizations to establish permanent endowment and temporary funds within the confines of one large foundation. Foundation funds are used to provide grants to non-profit organizations and scholarships to area students. The foundation serves the greater Aurora area, the tri-cities and Kendall County in the state of Illinois. For more information, visit www. communityfoundationfrv.org.
Arvayo
Augustyn Chase
Kupar
Mercado Seraphin
Julia Hoyda has earned the Girl Scouts Silver Award, and has worked with FVSRA Farm Encounter, Camp WOW, Holy Angels Parish, and Vacation Bible School. Rosary counselor Lisa Sustersic, who nominated Julia, says: “I am unceasingly impressed and touched by the work that she has done with the developmentally disabled population. It is easy to give an afternoon or a day here or there to fulfill a community service requirement or to give yourself a ‘warm fuzzy,’ but Julia’s work with this population is more personal. She has recognized a need within this community, and rather than looking to someone else to fill it, has decided ‘why not me?’”
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Student Spotlight Rosary High School Math Team Takes 3rd Place at State Competition The Rosary Math Team took third place at the ICTM State Math Contest (Division 1A) on May 4 at the University of Illinois in Champaign. The team also received the Richard Rhoad Award for Most Improved Team. Team awards include: Geometry Written Team (3rd place), Algebra II Written Team (3rd Place), Pre-calculus Written Team (3rd Place), Fr/So 8-Person Team (9th Place), Jr/Sr 8-Person Team (4th Place) Fr/So 2-Person Team (8th Place), Jr/Sr 2-Person Team (7th Place), Calculator Team (4th Place), Jr/Sr Relay 1 (6th Place), and Orals Competition [Colleen Madlinger and Celine Italia] (5th Place). Individual awards include: Hannah Eng, Algrbra 1 Written (7 Place); Isabelle Ylo, Geometry Written (9th Place); Anna Ward, Algrebra II Written (10th Place), Colleen Madlinger, Pre-calculus Written (8th Place). th
Math team coaches are Rosary teachers Bev Cange, Cynthia
Nagis, Kevin Steder and Roberta Stubing. “What a wonderful, hard working group of young ladies. It was a pleasure coaching them and seeing them grow from year to year,” said mathematics department chair Beverly Cange. “They deserve every medal, plaque and trophy we carried home. “It’s exciting not only to be the Third Place Team in the ICTM Division 1A Contest in the State of Illinois, but also to accomplish this as a school of all girls in a competition where the greater percentage of winners are males,” she continued. The contest is sponsored by the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Rosary offers Algerbra 1 and 2, Geometry (with honors levels), and Pre-calculus, as well as college credit classes in College Algebra, Plane Trigonometry, and Calculus with Analytic Geometry I and II.
Back row: Mr. Kevin Steder, Mrs. Cindy Nagis, Christina Koranda, Maggie Eallonardo, Tess Joosse, Emily Bakala, Anna Ward, Maddie Melby, Sonja Popovich, Grace Wehner, Katie Bruckner, Tori Pyle, Mrs. Roberta Stubing, Mrs. Beverly Cange. Middle row: Jenna Streich, Brittany McCullough, Jesika Barmanbek, Amy Seraphin, Courtney Cox, Teresa Zidek, Becky Fritz, Rachael Bamrick, Alyssa Mertka. Front row: Hannah Eng, Mallory Rhamy, Maddie Hemmerich, Celine Italia, Stephanie Ebert, Colleen Madlinger, Isabelle Ylo, Cailin Dilday.
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Student Spotlight Rosary Students Excel in Le Grand Concours
Rosary Students Achieve National Recognition on Spanish Exam
Ninety-seven percent of Rosary High School French students who participated in the National French Contest in 2013 earned recognition for scoring well above the national average. The National French Contest/Le Grand Concours is an annual competition sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of French for students in all 50 states and abroad.
Students from Rosary High School earned a total of 13 gold, 19 silver and 16 bronze medals along with 28 honorable mentions on the 2013 National Spanish Examinations. “Attaining a medal or honorable mention for any student on the National Spanish Examinations is very prestigious,” said Kevin CessnaBuscemi, National Director of the Exams, “because the exams are the largest of their kind in the United States with more than 156,000 students participating in 2013.”
Ten Rosary students scored in the top 80th percentile or above of the 95,564 students nationally who took this year’s test. Junior Maggie Nelson scored in the top 90th percentile out of 19,602 total participants in the Level 3 exam, and sophomore Isabelle Ylo scored in the top 95th percentile out of 24,129 total participants in the Level 2 exam—only missing one question! Rosary offers French 1 and 2, French 3 Honors and French 4 Honors, taught by Madame Cassie Volpe.
Row 1 (seated), from left: Meera Vyas, Kayleigh Barnaba, Grace Wehner, Suzanne Quinn, Teresa Zidek, Tori Phipps Row 2 (standing) from left: Emily Schneider, Veronica Koranda, Siobhan Midgley, Colleen Dorfler, Maria Witte, Lauren Mansour, Allie Bennett, Liz Duy, Stephanie Smick, Emma Doroff, Katie Draper, Madame Volpe, Lindsey Danos, Isabelle Ylo, Maggie Nelson, Caroline Mejia
The National Spanish Examinations are given each year in grades 6 through 12, and are sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese. Rosary students have a long history of high achievement on these exams, and were taught by Mrs. Rose Rebenstorf and Mrs. Julie Jeppesen. Students scoring in the 95th and above percentile and earning Gold Medals are: Level IV: Fabiola Villalpando (First Place Northern IL Chapter Bilingual); Level III: Sarah Bruckner, Rebecca Fritz, Hannah Salinas, Anna Ward; Level II: Katherine Bruckner, Alexandra Carter, Melody FisherLewek (Second Place Northern IL Chapter), Elizabeth Kaczorowski, Jennifer Orta (First Place Northern IL Chapter Bilingual), Mallory Rhamy (Third Place Northern IL Chapter), Claudia Pedroza ; Level I: Cailin Dilday (Third Place Northern IL Chapter). Scoring in the 90th percentile and earning Silver Medals are: Level IV: Amelia Anderson, Stephanie Ebert, Kaleigh Ellis, Taylor Gibson, Alexandra Joyce, Amalia Mercado (First Place Northern IL Chapter Outside Experience); Level III: Amy Cole, Corrine Rechenmacher; Level II: Brittany Hamling, Cecelia Kinane, Mikaela Morton, Rachel Neff, Genevieve Streich; Level I: Alissa Brankey, Isabella Duarte, Hannah Eng, Christina Koranda, Morgan Martinez, Sonja Popovich. For the names of students earning Bronze medals and certificates of achievement, visit the Rosary website: www.rosaryhs.com.
Not pictured: Mary Erin York, Breanna Sanchez
Orta in Top 10 on Accounting Test Congratulations to Sophomore Jennifer Orta who placed among the top ten in the Accounting I Competition test at the Illinois Future Business Leaders of America. This was a two-day conference with of 1450 members from 66 Illinois chapters present. Back Row: Mrs. Rebenstorf, Melody FisherLewek, Fabiola Villalpando, Mallory Rhamy, Elizabeth Kaczorowski, Rebecca Fritz, Anna Ward, Hannah Salinas, Mrs. Jeppesen. Front Row: Alexandra Carter, Claudia Pedroza, Jennifer Orta, Cailin Dilday, Sarah Bruckner, Katie Bruckner
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Student Spotlight Yearbook Staff Wins Two National Awards Rosary’s 2012 yearbook, Feels Like Home, received awards from the American Scholastic Press Association and from Taylor/ Balfour Yearbook. This is the 16th consecutive year that the Rosary yearbook has received national recognition. Feels Like Home was awarded First Place from the American Scholastic Press Association at Columbia University in New York. Our yearbook was selected from more than 9000 high schools, junior highs and colleges in the country. Judging is based on overall theme and theme development, layout design, writing and photography. In our divisions, we are 1 of 12 schools in the country selected for this honor. Feels Like Home also received an Honorable Mention from the Taylor/Balfour Yearbook Yearbook competition. Our yearbook was selected from more than 10,000 high schools, junior high schools, colleges and universities in the country. Congratulations to co-editors Olivia Doyle (‘12) and Abby Urbik (’13), and all of the yearbook staff.
Editorial staff of last year’s yearbook — Feels Like Home. From left: Lexi Lovetere, Mollie Dempsey, co-editor Olivia Doyle ‘12, co-editor Abby Urbik ‘13, and Nina Doyle.
Students Inducted into Foreign Lanuage Honor Society Twenty-seven students were inducted into Rosary’s Foreign Language Honor Society this spring. To qualify, students must have earned a B+ average for three semesters in their language study, have an overall GPA of at least a 3.0, not have a D or F in any subject, and be continuing their language study next year in the honors program. From left. Row 1: Mallory Rettenmeier, Emma Hillary, Jennifer Orta, Heather Hawkins, Mallory Rhamy, Alexandra Carter, Melody FisherLewek, Brittany McCullough Row 2: Sarah Neidermann, Emily Martin, Melissa Marovich, Rachel Neff, Cara Cox, Katie Draper, Alyssa Mertka, Brittany Hamling, Priscilla Betzelos Row 3: McKenna Novack, Isabel Ylo, Katie Bruckner, Elizabeth Kaczorowski, Nina Valaitis Not pictured: Rachael Bamrick, Sophia Barrett, Martha Buchert, Magdalene Eallonardo, Katelyn Paradis, Victoria Pho Suzanne Quinn, Molly Stefanski, Genevieve Streich, and Mary Erin York Rosary offers four years of Spanish (1-4), and two years of Spanish Honors (3 and 4); French 1 and 2, French 3 Honors and French 4 Honors; and Latin 1 and 2, Latin 3 Honors and Latin 4 Honors.
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14 Inducted into Mu Alpha Theta Fourteen students were inducted into Mu Alpha Theta, a national mathematics honor society, in February: Amelia Anderson, Quinn Carlson, Juliana Froehlich, Brittany McCullough, Stephanie McDermott, Alyssa Mertka, McKenna Novack, Sarah Nyaeme, Emily Powell, Mallory Rhamy, Amy Seraphin, Cara Smoczynski, Jessica Suchaczewski, and Abigail Zacchea. Mu Alpha Theta has more than 93,000 student members in more than 1950 schools. The group is dedicated to inspiring keen interest in mathematics, developing strong scholarship in the subject, and promoting the enjoyment of mathematics.
Student Spotlight Rosary Places 4th in State of Illinois at WYSE Competition Rosary’s Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering (WYSE) team came in 4th place at the state competition in April at the University of Illinois in Champaign. Rosary’s team advanced to State after placing second overall at Regionals in February and second overall at Sectionals in March.
WYSE Team. Back row, from left: Molly Piech, Colleen Madlinger, Amy Seraphin, Allie Bennett, Celine Italia, Courtney Cox, Amalia Mercado. Front row, from left: Anna Ward, Taylor Vandenberg, Teresa Zidek, Jesika Barmanbek, Tess Fitzsimmons, Becky Fritz. Not pictured: Aimee Arvayo.
Madlinger Named Finalist in National Merit Scholar Program Rosary High School senior Colleen Madlinger was named a finalist in the 58th Annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Madlinger is one among 1,300 finalists from across the country, chosen based upon their academic record, participation in school and community activities, leadership abilities, and honors and awards received. “Colleen is truly a scholar. Clearly she performs well on standardized tests and earns superior grades, but more importantly she is a ‘thinker’ of the highest level, an incredibly hard worker, and wonderfully kind young woman,” says Assistant Principal Michelle Salerno. Biology teacher Lisa Lammers says, “Colleen has natural gifts and talents in academics, but she is also driven and curious.”
WYSE participants can choose to compete in biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering graphics, English, mathematics, and physics. Students compete as individuals and as part of a team. At the state competition, Tess Fitzsimmons came in first place in English, Jesika Barmanbek came in 4th place in English, and Becky Fritz took 3rd place in chemistry. Overall, the team won 4th place in the state, thanks to the strength of the entire team: Colleen Madlinger, Celine Italia, Allie Bennett, Anna Ward, Taylor Vandenberg, Teresa Zidek, Aimee Arvayo, Courtney Cox, Amy Seraphin, Amalia Mercado, and Molly Piech. Rosary’s math and science program provides a good foundation for young women interested in careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), says WYSE coach and science department chair Mrs. Falguni Soni. “Careers in the 21st Century will require people to be good problem solvers in nonroutine situations,” she says. “Lab work in chemistry gives them experience and prepares them to handle unknown situations in a timely, diligent and disciplined manner, and also teaches collaborative and time management skills.”
Solo & Ensemble Contest Results Our Rosary orchestra and chorus students participated in the IHSA solo and ensemble contest this past March held at Metea Valley High School in Aurora. Here are the results: Division I ratings: Sara Caligiuri, vocal solo; Melody FisherLewek, piano solo; Liz Kupar, viola solo; Alyssa Mertka, clarinet solo; Emma Pettyjohn, guitar solo; Katelyn Jassoy & Annika Strolle, vocal duet; The Ensemble, chamber ensemble. Division II ratings: Brittany Hill, violin solo; Kaleigh Ellis, flute solo; Hannah Eng, violin solo; Brittany Hamling, flute solo; Devon James, vocal solo; Katelyn Jassoy, vocal solo; Baili Martin, saxophone solo; Tori Pyle, flute solo; Annika Strolle, vocal solo; Melody FisherLewek and Angeles Ponpa, flute duet. Division III ratings: Anna Schleitwiler, vocal solo; Elise McArdle, French Horn solo.
Colleen will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the fall, and plans to study Aeorospace Engineering. She is the daughter of Catherine and Steven Madlinger of Batavia.
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Student Spotlight Freshman Emily Laughead Awarded iModules Scholarship Rosary freshman Emily Laughead was one of 10 students nationwide to earn a $1500 scholarship from iModules, Rosary’s website provider. iModules offers the scholarship opportunity to all students at its client schools which include high school and colleges. The scholarship application was a two-part essay. The first question asked the student to write about their future goals, and the second question asked why they believed they should receive the award. Emily was been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when she was only 4 years old. Her family history shows no traces of this disease, and she has made it her goal to find a cure and to educate others about the disease. She said in her essay, “I am an excellent candidate to receive this scholarship because of my great desire to help others affected by Type 1 Diabetes. No one should live a life filled with fear.” Emily would like to use her scholarship money to educate herself so that she may help others. She created her own website, www.EmilysHope.org, which has raised more than $56,000 for Type 1 Diabetes to date. She received the Kane County Citizen of the Year award in 2010 and recognition by Illinois governor Pat Quinn for her volunteerism in 2011. She also participates in parades and events to raise awareness about Type 1 Diabetes. Emily is also active in other community service projects—she has worked at local food pantries and has gone door-to-door collecting donations to help her local homeless shelter.
Up Next: Emily to speak to Congress Emily Laughead was selected out of 1,500 Illinois applications to go to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Children’s Congress 2013. She will be representing Type 1 Diabetics in Illinois. Every two years, JDRF International Chairman Mary Tyler Moore and more than a hundred children with Type 1 Diabetes gather in Washington, D. C. to meet face-to-face with some of the top decision-makers in the U.S. government. The children, ages 4 to 17, represent all 50 states and the District of Columbia. As participants in JDRF’s Children’s Congress, they have a unique and empowering opportunity to help members of Congress understand what life with Type 1 Diabetes is like and why research to find the cure for diabetes and its complications is so critical.
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Back Row: Jenna Streich, Catherine Hayes, Emma Pettyjohn, Isabel Trujillo, Victoria Pho. Front Row: Julia Hoyda, Mary Kate Naughton, and Ryane Jenig.
Marmion-Rosary Band Performs Well in State Competition Members of the Marmion-Rosary Band participated in the Wisconsin School Music Association State Solo and Ensemble Contest at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in April. Only students who received “star” performances in the Class A competition at the district level were invited to compete in this festival. Rosary students receiving one or more state gold medals were: Catherine Hayes, Bass Clarinet Solo; Emma Pettyjohn, Guitar Solo; Genevieve Streich, Saxophone Quartet; Victoria Pho and Mary Kate Naughton, Percussion Ensemble; Mary Kate Naughton, Julia Hoyda and Genevieve Streich, Marmion/Rosary Jazz Combo; and Genevieve Streich, Julia Hoyda, Isabel Trujillo and Mary Kate Naughton, Marmion /Rosary Jazz Band. Students who received perfect scores were Emma Pettyjohn, Guitar; and Victoria Pho and Mary Kate Naughton, Percussion Ensemble. Rosary students earning one or more State Silver medals were: Genevieve Streich, Clarinet Solo; Julia Hoyda, Trombone Solo; Ryane Jenig, Trombone Solo; Victoria Pho, Piano Solo; Mary Kate Naughton, Julia Hoyda and Genevieve Streich, Marmion/ Rosary Jazz Combo. The Marmion-Rosary Band is directed by Stephen Thurlow, assisted by Matt Kokes.
Faculty Spotlight Art Teacher Nominated for Golden Apple Award
Six Rosary Teachers Nominated for Diocesan Award
Rosary Art teacher Deanna Ahasic was nominted for a 2013 Golden Apple Award. Since 1986, Golden Apple has recognized outstanding teachers throughout Illinois each year. Created by founders Mike and Pat Koldyke, The Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching recognize and honor outstanding teachers for their role in building a stronger, better-educated society.
Six Rosary High School teachers were nominated for the Outstanding Catholic Educator Award, a new Catholic Schools Week tradition started by the Diocese of Rockford this school year.
Mrs. Ahasic was nominated by Sister Patricia Burke, O.P. “The quality that has most inspired me over the course of the 14 years I have known her is her ongoing search for new and creative ideas,” says Sister Patricia. “Every summer, she takes classes and workshops to keep her approach to art fresh and interesting.” She has talen classes at the Art Institute in Chicago, the Illinois Institute of Art, National Louis University, and more. Subjects have included: Eternal Egypt, Creation Stories, Figure Drawing, Using Visual Thinking, Impressionism in America, American West Painting, Man’s Relationship with the Sea, the Art of Bookmaking, History of Chicago Art, Fashion Design/Fashion Marketing, Game Art and Design, Animation, Advertising & Graphic Design, Web Design and Interactive Media. “As a seasoned teacher, it would have been so comfortable for her to settle into a successful routine, but she chooses to bring new perspectives to her students every single year,” Sister Patricia wrote. “All of this study speaks to her ongoing commitment to education, to her quest for excellence. “Another great aspect of her teaching is the inherent respect she gives each student artist,” she contrinued. “The soul of art is creative and she values each student’s individuality.” In speaking of Mrs. Ahasic, one of her students said, “I cling to her every word. Her passion for art makes mine grow. She has taught me about different artists, techniques and styles. She is like a third grandma to me. With her encouraging words and wistful advice, she gives meaning to every stroke.” “As a professional colleague, she always goes the extra mile. At Rosary, she has worked on the AdvancED accreditation committee, been a department chair, served on the Fine Arts Booster Committee, hosted an Art Show for local elementary school children, moderates a very successful Art Club, and worked on scenery for our musical productions for many years,” Sister Patricia wrote. Mrs. Ahasic is highly regarded in the local art community with her work featured in many different venues – Winter Garden of Youth and the City Hall Art Fair. “She is a shining example of dedication, creativity and hard work to younger teachers,” Sister Patricia says. “Her career inspires others to follow a similar path of excellence both as a person and as a teacher.”
Nominated were (from left) music teacher Mike Ferguson, art teacher Deanna Ahasic, English teacher Laura Ruddy, history teacher Stephanie Krzeminski, theology teacher Faith Etheredge, and theology teacher James Sanders. The Diocesan Education Office and The Observer joined forces to create the award. Students, parents, pastors and grandparents were invited to nominate a teacher for recognition. “Since 1974, our Catholic Schools have been celebrating Catholic Schools Week focusing on our Catholicity in a very special way,” says Margo Shifo, assistant superintendent of diocesan schools. “This year we also wanted to recognize our teachers who, along with parents and pastors, make our Catholic identity strong.” There were “so many excellent teachers” nominated that, “it was extremely difficult to pick out a winner,” said Michael Kagan, superintendent of diocesan schools. “So many students, parents, and colleagues had wonderful affirming examples of our teachers making a difference in our students’ lives, developing their faith and academic skills,” Shifo added. “Every one of the teachers nominated, and many that weren’t, should be applauded and thanked for making a positive difference in the lives of our students.” Maureen Bingham, a middle school teacher at St. Thomas the Apostle School in Crystal Lake, was chosen as the Outstanding Teacher Award in the Rockford Diocese for 2013.
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Faculty Spotlight Three Retire from Rosary Faculty Math teachers Cindy Nagis and Beverly Cange, and theology teacher Deborah Gordon, retired from Rosary at the end of the school year. Mrs Nagis was a member of Rosary’s premiere gradating class in 1966. She taught for a few years at Oswego Junior High before returning to Rosary in 1975. “I was fortunate enough to have Mrs. Nagis for geometry and will always remember her class for her funny stories and mathematical anecdotes,” said Jamie Wiedner (’04). “Her passion for her students showed every day in and out of the classroom. “ “Mrs. Nagis was my first experience with math at Rosary. She always made me try my hardest to be the best student I could be. She knew my potential and challenged me to reach it,” Missy McMahon (’11) said.
Mrs. Cindy Nagis
Kathy Zilly Gilmore (’88) said: “I remember Mrs. Nagis had a poster in her classroom that had all of the practical uses of math. There were times when a few of us questioned the point of learning it all and I remember her referring to it. She was a great teacher; very patient, kind and fun. Mrs. Nagis, I wish you a retirement with a lot less problems to solve!” Mrs. Cange came to Rosary 33 years ago and taught upper level math, expanding to college-level math. Her husband Ed joined her at Rosary in 2007, also teaching math. “I enjoyed teaching at Rosary because it is very family oriented,” Mrs. Cange said. “Everyone—the students and teachers—cares for one another.” “Mrs. Cange’s pre-calculus class is the reason I was able to earn an ‘A’ in Business Calculus my freshman year of college,” Kelley Agnew said. “Her impeccable organization and the fluidity of her lesson plans made for an ideal classroom environment.
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Jamie Wiedner said: “I had Mrs. Cange my junior and senior years. She was a very efficient and effective teacher. She was also so very supportive of her students. Both Mrs. Cange and Mrs. Nagis helped me get involved in the Math Team at Rosary. Their passion helped foster my interest in pursuing a career in accounting. I wouldn’t have had such a successful start to my career without their commitment to my success in the classroom.” “Mrs. Cange had a unique style to teaching,” Missy McMahon said. “If I didn’t know the answer to something she would never just tell me but guided me so that I could get there on my own. Both women were amazing teachers and I feel blessed to have had them when I was at Rosary.”
“Being in Mrs. Nagis’ geometry class helped me to not only grow in my math skills, but also in my faith. She was not only a phenomenal teacher, but also an inspirational spiritual leader; God was always in the heart of her classroom. Her patience with students who struggled with math, like myself, was remarkable,” Kelley Agnew (’11) said. “Experiencing the Kairos retreat with her my senior year was unforgetable.”
Mrs. Beverly Cange
“Although one of the most rigorous classes in my Rosary career, it was also one of my favorites. Every day I looked forward to the challenge of the coursework and Mrs. Cange’s witty and dry sense of humor,” Kelley said.
“Mrs. Cange and Mrs. Nagis also taught my mother, aunts and cousins. Both will always hold a special place in our hearts.” Kelley Agnew said. Mrs Gordon joined the theology department in 2001 and also served as the advisor for National Honor Society. “Mrs. Gordon was a great teacher and NHS moderator. As a teacher, she encouraged class discussion and the expression of different points of view. While in her class, I learned so much about theology and how to open my life up to God,” said Molly Piech (’13).
Mrs. Deborah Gordon
“I worked closely with Mrs. Gordon with NHS, and she was always so pleasant and helpful. She always asked our opinions and truly let NHS be a student-run organization. Mrs. Gordon’s leadership and kindness made Rosary a great place for her students,” she continued. “A student told me last spring that Mrs. Gordon was the nicest person in the building, and I think that’s a sentiment shared by many of the students here at school,” James Sanders, chair of the Theology Department, said. “What’s more, I’ve known Deborah since she arrived in the fall of 2001, and I’ve never heard her say anything derogatory or even negative about anyone. She has a positive outlook and a generous spirit. As a teacher she was always studentcentered, doing her best to educate the whole person, not just the mind. Her own spirituality, her gentle soul, was clear to those she taught.”
Faculty Spotlight Sister Ann Brummel, O.P., Named New Rosary Principal The Rosary High School Board of Directors and the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois, are pleased to announce the selection of Sister Ann Brummel, O.P., as the new principal of Rosary High School beginning July 1, 2013. Sister Ann has served as principal of St. Peter Catholic School in Aurora since 2002, and previously was an administrator at St. Mary School in Mt. Sterling, Illinois, and St. Bernadette School in Evergreen Park. She also taught at schools in the Springfield and Peoria dioceses. Sister Ann was honored with the National Distinguished Principal Award from the National Catholic Education Association in Washington, D.C. in 1992. A member of Rosary’s first graduating class in 1966, Sister Ann earned her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from St. Ambrose College in Davenport, Iowa, and her Master’s in
Administration and Supervision from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. Selected from a field of more than 20 applicants, Sister Ann becomes the eighth Springfield Dominican sister to lead Rosary High School. Sister Ann will succeed Sister Patricia Burke, O.P., who has been Rosary’s principal since 2004. “After an extensive search and evaluation process, we are extremely pleased to be able to hire someone of Sister Ann’s caliber,” said John Reale, chairman of the search committee. “She brings a great deal of experience in Catholic education, and is a visionary who will bring Rosary High School to new heights. “She is the right leader at the right time who will help us to build on the strong foundation at Rosary while making our school stronger and a popular destination for young-women who want to be well prepared for college and life beyond,” Reale said. “As a Rosary graduate, Sister Ann understands the importance of developing Christian leaders in the Dominican tradition,” said Michael Roche, chairman of the Rosary Board of Directors.
Sister Patricia Returns to the Science Classroom Sister Patricia Burke, O.P., first came to Rosary as a physics and chemistry teacher for five years. She left for another assignment and returned in 2004 as principal. Now she will be stepping back into the classroom, teaching physics and chemistry at Gordon Tech Catholic High School in Chicago. “Sister Patricia has touched the lives of thousands of Rosary students in her 14 years at Rosary,” said Michelle Salerno, assistant principal. “As a leader, she always puts the students first, as it should be. As a teacher, she really knows her math and science. Her next school is so fortunate to be getting her. Over the years, she has taught us, she has led us, but most importantly, she has demonstrated what it means to be a woman of strong faith.” Lindsay Caton (’13) learned chemistry from Sister Patricia. “As a teacher, she was very flexible with her methods. She catered to students’ different learning styles because it was important to her that we all understood the material,” Lindsay said. “She sparked my interest in science and I am going into a science-related field in college. I’m glad to hear that she will be back in the classroom. She’s a great teacher and her students will be very lucky to have her.”
“Sister Patricia came to all of our home swim meets at Marmion to cheer us on,” Lindsay said. “Also, she was very helpful to students in the college application process, too. She put time in to helping us as individuals. She shared in our successes. “As a principal, Sister Patricia led the community that I have come to call ‘home.’ She made it a safe place for girls to grow. I can’t imagine having gone to high school anywhere else,” she said. “Sister Patricia’s unwavering dedication to Rosary and all the young women that make up our community is something I have always admired,” said Becky Fritz (’14). “She continually has celebrated the successes of Rosary women in athletics, the fine arts, and especially academics. I will miss feeling her supportive spirit and love of our school in the hallway next year.” Molly Piech (’13) adds: “Sister Patricia is a great leader who truly lives out the Dominican teachings. She is a selfless servant of God and does every task with a smile. The Rosary community was lucky to have her as a wonderful principal and role model. She will be truly missed!” “It has been a privilege and a blessing to work with you all these years,” Sister Patricia wrote to parents. “Rosary will always have a special place in my prayers and in my heart.”
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Athletics Winter Sports Summary
Spring Sports Summary
Basketball
Soccer
The Freshman Basketball team (pictured below) won first place in the SCC Conference with an 8-2 record and had a 14-6 record overall. Fifty-five percent of the team were scholarathletes and the team had an average GPA of 3.20. Individual awards were won by Sonja Popovich (MVP), Grace Goheen (MIP), Gretchen Klug (Most Dedicated) Taylor Drozdowski (Coaches Award), Ella Wagoner (Hustle Award) and Anna Montelbano (Scott Walker Award).
Junior Varsity Soccer finished the season with a record of 8-3-4. Sixty-four percent were Scholar Athletes and the average GPA was 3.21. Individual awards were won by Audrey Henrichs (MVP), Lauryn Streid (MIP), Mackenzie Malley (Most Dedicated), Lauryn Streid (Coaches Award) and Mallory Rettenmeier (Spirit Award).
Sophomore Basketball finished the season with a 14-12 record and placed 4th in the SCC (4-6). Fifty percent were Scholar Athletes and the average GPA was 3.26. Individual awards were won by Priscilla Betzelos (MVP), Melinda Schreiber (MIP), Mary Dant (Most Dedicated), Mary Dant (Coaches Award), and Cecilia Kinane (Scott Walker Award). Varsity Basketball took 3rd Place in the SCC with a 6-4 record and had an overall record of 15-12. Ninety-two percent of the players were Scholar Athletes and the average GPA was 3.48. Individual awards were given to Karly Tate (MVP), Amy Seraphin (MIP), Maddy Hemmerich (Most Dedicated), Madison Richmond (Coaches Award), Quincy Kellett (Hustle Award) and Rachel Choice (Scott Walker Award). Academic All-Conference players were Emily Bakala, Maddy Hemmerich, Karly Tate, Mary Wentworth, and Karly Tate was named AllConference.
Dance Team Eighty percent of Dance Team members were Scholar Athletes and the average GPA was 3.48. Individual awards went to Mallory Weis (Leadership Award), Rachel Loy (MIP Dancer), Kate Wangler (Most Dedicated) and Emily Martin (Coaches Award).
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Varsity Soccer won the SCC Championship with a 9-0 record and their fifth consecutive Class 2A Regional Title, as well as 1st Place at the West Aurora Invitational. (Overall record was 16-42.) Sixty-one percent of the team members were Scholar Athletes and the average GPA was 3.06. Individual awards went to Lauren Frasca (MVP), Katie Thielen (MIP), Hayley Kilbride (Most Dedicated), Maria Witte (Coaches Award), and Katie Fitzpatrick (Spirit Award). Academic All-Conference: Stephanie Ebert, Taylor Gibson, Sonja Popovich. All-Conference: Kaitlin Johnson, Taylor Gibson, Haley Kilbride, Lauren Frasca, Maria Witte.
Softball Freshman/Sophomore Softball finished with a 2nd Place SCC title (7-4) and an overall record of 10-13. Seventy-one percent were Scholar Athletes and the average GPA was 3.28. Individual awards were presented to Cailin Dilday and Peyton Hyatt (MVP), Ries McCue (MIP), Alexia Thomas (Most Dedicated), Peyton Hyatt (Coaches Award), Cailin Dilday (Golden Glove), and Ries McCue (Hitting Champ).
Athletics Varsity Softball finished the season as 3A Regional Champions with an overall record of 13-18 and an SCC record of 7-8. Seventy-one percent were Scholar Athletes and the average GPA was 3.19. Individual awards were given to Cara Smoczynski (MVP), Danyal Van Gundy (MIP), Maddy Hemmerich (Most Dedicated), Emma Molenhouse (Coaches Award), Cara Smoczynski (Golden Glove) and Cara Smoczynski (Hitting Champ). Academic All-Conference: Maddy Hemmerich, Emma Molenhouse, Reannon Overbey, Cara Smoczynski. All-Conference: Emma Molenhouse, Samantha Phelps.
Year-End Sports Awards In the 2012-13 school year, Rosary athletics had 146 students in one sport, 62 in two sports, 11 in three sports. These included 63 freshmen, 64 sophomores, 43 juniors, and 49 seniors. Overall, 70% were Scholar Athletes, and the average GPA was 3.25. Senior Participation Awards were presented to students who earned five or more varsity letters:
• Kara Kalisz (8 letters: 4 cross country, 3 track, 1 soccer)
Track
• Courtney Cox (7 letters: 3 cross country, 4 track)
Track finished the season as SCC Champions, and also took 1st Place in the Oswego East and Benet Invitationals.
• Taylor Gibson (7 letters: 3 basketball, 4 soccer)
Conference Champions were: 4x800 Relay: Emily Bakala, Courtney Cox, Amelia Anderson, Rachel Choice 4x400 Relay: Emily Bakala, Molly Stefanski, Courtney Cox, Abby Hammer 1600 Run: Kara Kalisz 4x200 Relay: Sydney Zaragoza, Molly Stefanski, Stephanie McDermott, Megan Conlin
• Amelia Anderson (6 letters: 3 cross country, 3 track)
Royal Sportsmanship Award The Royal Sportsmanship Award is presented to a senior based on leadership, character, resposnsibility, sportsmanship, dependability, attitude and spirit. This year’s award goes to Maddy Hemmerich and Kara Kalisz. Maddy plays basketball and softball, and Kara participates in cross country and track.
Hemmerich
Eighty-one percent of track athletes were Scholar Athletes and the average GPA was 3.31. Individual awards were presented to Kara Kalisz (John Bryan Outstanding Track Athlete), Madison Ronzone (MI Distance Runner) Courtney Cox (MI Sprinter), Taylor James (MI Thrower) Kristyna Perillo (MI Jumper), Stephanie McDermott (MI Newcomer) Nicole Basile (Most Dedicated). Academic All-Conference: Megan Conlin, Cara Cox, Anne Duhig, Nicole Filardi, Taylor James, Kayla Keating. All-Conference: Amelia Anderson, Emily Bakala, Rachel Choice, Megan Conlin, Courtney Cox, Abby Hammer, Kara Kalisz, Stephanie McDermott, Molly Stefanski, Sydney Zaragoza. State Qualifiers were Emily Bakala, Courtney Cox, Amelia Anderson, and Rachel Choice in the 4x800 Relay.
Kalisz
Piech Named to All-State All-Academic Soccer Team Rosary senior Molly Piech has beened named to the 2013 Girls All-State All-Academic Team by the Chicago Fire Soccer Club. The 1st Team members, including Molly, were recognized in June at the IHSSCA Honors Banquet. “These student athletes— high school soccer’s best and brightest—represent a group of talented, intelligent, hard-working and community-oriented people,” the organization said. Molly, a forward, was chosen from 110 nominations for the award. The honorees will also be recognized at the July 20 Chicago Fire vs. DC United game at Toyota Park.
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Athletics Nine Athletes from the Class of 2013 Sign to Play at College
Nine athletes from the class of 2013 have signed National Letters of Intent to play their sport in college. They include:
• Katie Baki, Southern Illinois University, Volleyball
Above: Brianna Flagg, Katie Baki, Cara Smoczynski, Joanna Reale, Karly Tate, Kaitlin Johnson, Dayna Mohr. Below: Sister Patricia Burke, O.P., with Kate Stefanski and Marissa Prochaska.
• Brianna Flagg, Siena College, Volleyball • Kaitlin Johnson, Michigan State University, Soccer • Dayna Mohr, UW-Whitewater, Swimming • Marissa Prochaska, Rollins College, Volleyball • Joanna Reale, Winona State University, Gymnastics • Cara Smoczynski, UW-Whitewater, Softball • Kate Stefanski, Rollins College, Volleyball • Karly Tate, UW-Whitewater, Basketball
Rosary Alumnae Olivia Scott Wins 100M Butterfly at 2013 NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships Congratulations to Olivia Scott, (‘10) who won the 100 meter Butterfly, with a time of 51.64 at this year’s Women’s NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships in Indianapolis in March. Olivia won the event by touching out former Olympian Rachel Bootsma by .04 second, making this the closest finish in the 100 M Butterfly in NCAA history. Olivia’s time of 51.64 is also an Auburn University school record. Olivia is now the second Rosary swimming alumnae to win an event at NCAAs. She follows in the footsteps of Rosary Alum Mary Descenza, (‘02) who won multiple NCAA events, including the 100 M Butterfly.
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Athletics 33rd Annual Super Bowl Party Rosary Sports Boosters’ 33rd Annual Super Bowl Party was held February 3, 2013, to see the Baltimore Ravens face the San Francisco 49ers. The event included mini raffles, a $5 raffle, Vegas games, a silent auction, the “Lotto” Drawing, plenty of boards, and of course the ability to watch the big game! The Ravens defeated the 49ers 34–31, and the big winners at Rosary were: Lotto Drawing: Steve Likes ($5,000 ), Donna Lies ($2,500), Jean Greensley ($1000), Mary Smoczynski ($500), and Pat Zacchea ($200). Additional prizes of five $100 winners and fifteen $50 winners were awarded. Raffle Winners: Tom Lentz (Dream Vacation by A Great American Travel Company, Inc.), Carol Bakala (MacBook Air Notebook Computer), Carol Timko (Night stay in Chicago and $100 Visa Gift Card), Eugene Buldak (Apple iPad Mini), and Cathy Brummel (“Beats” by Dre Headphones).
Rosary/Marmion to Host Junior High Cross Country Meet Rosary and Marmion will host a 2013 Junior High Cross Country Meet for boys and girls in grades 5 through 8 on September 10 at 4:30 p.m. at Marmion Academy, 1000 Butterfield Road, in Aurora. The event will include four races:
• Girls 5th/6th Grade - 1.5 Miles • Boys 5th/6th Grade - 1.5 Miles • Girls 7th/8th Grade – 2 Miles • Boys 7th/8th Grade – 2 Miles The top 10 finishers in each race will receive medals and the top three teams in each race will receive trophies. The entry fee is $75 per team or $15 per individual, and the registration deadline is August 26. Registration forms are available on Rosary’s website: www.rosaryhs.com. For more information, contact David Cox at cox@mytrackstats. com or 630-466-7838, or Mary Lou Kunold mkunold@ rosaryhs.com or 630 896-0831 x25.
The Super Bowl Party is one of the Sports Boosters’ major fundraising events that helps the group to enhance Rosary’s athletic programs. The 2014 Super Bowl Party will be held at the Turf Room in North Aurora. Watch the website for details.
Football Mania Returns this Fall Our Football Mania fundraiser will be back this season. You’ll have six chances to win each week of the 17-week NFL season. Tickets are only $20 each. Don’t pass up this opportunity to win weekly! Ticket order forms will be available online by August 1. Contact Mary Lou Kunold for more information at (630) 896-0831 x25 or email mkunold@rosaryhs.com.
Fall Sports Begin August 14 Fall sports begin August 14, and an informational Parent Meeting will be held on Monday, August 12, at 6 p.m. in the auditorium. Please bring proof of insurance and a current physical. For more information, contact athletic director Mary Lou Kunold at (630) 896-0831 x25 or email mkunold@rosaryhs. com.
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50 Years—50 Facts Fifty Fun Facts for Our 50th Anniversary 1. Classes began in September 1962 with 43 freshmen and met in the old Holy Angels Grade School at the corner of Locust and Galena. Rosary’s new building opened in September 1963 with 94 freshmen and sophomores. The unfinished building had cement floors, no doors, no lights, no lockers, and no water fountains. Students met in six classrooms in the first (100) wing.
2. Rosary’s first graduating class was 40 girls on May 31, 1966.
This premiere class included Sister Ann Brummel and Cindy (Marsh) Nagis.
3. Rosary’s first prom was held in May 1966. Ann Brummel,
now Sister Ann Brummel, was named queen. Early proms were held in the school foyer as turnabout dances are today.
4. Rosary’s original convent was in the school’s 100 Wing
and included bedrooms, bathrooms with showers, living room/dining room, kitchen and a chapel. Two additional bedrooms were in the administration area. The convent area is now guidance, campus ministry, and theology. The conference room (108) was the chapel. The separate convent opened in 1975.
5. St. Catherine of
Siena statue: Rosary was given the 8-foot bronze sculpture designed by Paul Soderburg. The statue was dedicated to the Dominican Sisters who had served at Rosary High School.
6. Rosary’s new gym/athletic facility ground breaking was
September 1998, and was dedicated by Bishop Doran in October 1999. In 2008, the athletic facility was named in honor of Mary Lou Kunold’s 35 years of dedicated service to Rosary.
7. Our original gym was converted into an auditorium and
opened in fall of 2001. The McEnroe Auditorium is named for Dorothy and Edwin McEnroe, parents of Margaret Walker (’68).
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8. The first locker rooms and Ms. Kunold’s office were to the
north of the auditorium. That area is now a dressing room, costume rooms, and prop storage for fine arts.
9. The Springfield Dominicans purchased 10 acres across
the street from Rosary in 1999-2000 with an eye toward a future outdoor athletic complex. Currently, a farmer leases the field from Rosary.
10. Rosary’s 40th anniversary in 2002 was celebrated with a Eucharistic Liturgy, Open House and 5K Run.
11. Mary (DeScenza)
Mohler (’02) is a highly-decorated female swimmer, including a World Championship in the 200m Butterfly in 2009. At Rosary, Mohler was a four-time state champion in the 100 yard Butterfly, a two-time state champion in the 200 yard Freestyle, a two-time state Photo courtesy of usaswimming.org champion in the 200 © 2010 USA Swimming yard Medley Relay, and a member of the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta. She was named Illinois Swimmer of the Year three times, the Chicago Tribune Athlete of the Year in 2002, and a four-time high school All-American. At the University of Georgia, Mary won the 200m Butterfly for four consecutive years at the NCAA Championships and was a 28-Time NCAA All-American. She was a finalist in the Olympic trials in 2004 and 2008.
12. Founding Principal Sister Mary Joseph (left), who opened the school with Sr. Alphonsus Liguori and Sr. M. Dominica, was reassigned to Sacred Heart Convent in June 2003 after 31 years at Rosary. 13. Rosary’s first library was in rooms 113 and 115, then moved to the convent area (where guidance is now), and moved to the 300 Wing when it opened in September 2003. 14. The 200 Wing was home to Home Economics until it was
renovated in 2008 as a physics lab, art room and classrooms. The physics lab was the foods class. Room 206 was the sewing room.
15. Rosary athletes placed second at state track meet in 1985
with Coach Sandy Hipp when we didn’t yet have a track at Rosary. The girls ran in the parking lot.
50 Years—50 Facts 16. We celebrated the
23. The pop room in the cafeteria was at one time the teachers’
50th anniversary of The Sound of Music musical with a performance at Rosary.
dining room.
24. The bookstore window in the foyer was built to be a ticket
office. The glass wall cases now featuring Rosary spirit wear held trophies, and the glass case now outside the art room was used as a trophy case in the foyer.
17. Rosary Musicals:
The Sound of Music, Carousel, and Hello Dolly each were performed four times. Oklahoma, Fiddler on the Roof, and Oliver were staged three times each. For Rosary’s 50th anniversary, music director Mike Ferguson wrote a song recapping the history of Rosary musicals which can be seen on our YouTube channel: Rosarymusicdept.
18. Rosary initially shared space with Roncalli boys at the
former Holy Angels Grade School while the Christian Brothers school was building their own new school on Farnsworth Avenue. When Madonna High School and Roncalli merged as Aurora Central Catholic in 1968, Rosary developed a brother-sister school relationship with Marmion Academy.
19.
Rosary will be offering a Robotics Engineering course in the Fall of 2013, taught by Mrs. Falguni Soni. We are one of only two Catholic schools in Northern Illinois to offer robotics.
20.
The current admissions office was a reception room, and the current attendance office was the bursar’s office. The current teachers lounge/lunchroom was a bookstore and a senior lounge! The current alumnae and communications offices were the guidance offices.
21. The small back room in Mrs. Kramer’s business classroom
was used for business students to practice their office skills.
22. The language lab was in room 106, now a classroom.
25. The snack bar was used for sporting events. Now it is used for the FBLA Express school supply store and at times for selling after-school treats.
26. Before the 300-wing was
built, the students would walk outside between the east ends of the 100 and 200 wings. When the outside doors had to remain locked due to security concerns, the girls were challenged to make it from one end of the ‘U’ to the other during passing period.
27. Rosary’s advisory lay board of trustees was replaced with a decision-making bicameral model of governance in 2009.
28. How can you get a rose on the Veritas
Tree in the foyer? The Veritas Society was established in 1992 in recognition of Rosary’s many contributors. Life Members are those whose total Annual Appeal giving, whether over one year or many years, totals $10,000 or more. Member names are recognized on the Veritas Tree with a hand-carved wooden rose and a colored nameplate indicating their level of giving.
29. Sixty-nine Dominican Sisters have served Rosary High School.
30. Five Dominican Sisters are Rosary alumnae: Sister Ann
Brummel (‘66), Sister Maira Barry (‘72), Sister Mary Francis Gorman (‘67), and Sister Catherine Mary Currie (‘70) of the Springfield Dominicans, and Sister Mary Margaret (Jane Gyovai ‘67), a Cloistered Dominican Nun at the Monastery of the Infant Jesus in Lufkin, Texas.
31. Fourteen Rosary alumnae have worked at Rosary: Sr. Ann
Brummel (’66), Sr. Catherine Mary Currie (’70), Ann (Rhodes) Edwards (’70), Cindy (Marsh) Nagis (’66), Deborah (Grommes) Olson (’70), Bonnie (Currie) Reder (’80), Emily Rogers (’05), Laura (Pedi) Ruddy (’84), Michelle Salerno (’84), Michele Weber Smith (’83), Roberta (Johnson) Stubing (’76), and Ann Mary Wagner (’74).
32. A time capsule in ensconced in the south courtyard wall. 33. Our first state title was for swimming in 2006, and the
Beads went on to capture the title in 2007, 2008 and 2009. While our sports teams are called the Royals, swimmers are called Beads due to Rosary Beads and beads of water.
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50 Years—50 Facts 34. In the fall of
2012, Rosary faculty created a video of Call Me Maybe as a gift to the students during Spirit Week’s Wacky Wednesday. The YouTube video has nearly 8000 hits. Search for RosaryHighSchool on YouTube or find the link on our webpage: www.rosaryhs. com.
35. Rosary’s new website, launched in 2012, also has an online community feature that allows alumnae to search for classmates in the online directory; share news, class notes, prayer requests and memories on message boards; build a personal profile; and link to other social media sites.
36. Rosary girls have always been social, but now you can
connect with us on social media. Visit our home page for links to our Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube accounts.
37. Our daily prayer and reflection, usually written by Campus
Minister Sandy Iwanski, is posted to our website daily. Daily Announcements are also posted to the site, including the Sprott Spot of the Day, an inspirational quote or sometimes a joke from attendance secretary Terry Sprott.
38. In addition to Rosary High School, the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois, also sponsor the following institutions: Marian Catholic High School (Chicago Heights, IL), Sacred Heart-Griffin High School (Springfield, IL), and St. Dominic Health Services (Jackson, MS).
39. Rosary’s mission is based on the Dominican pillars of Prayer, Study, Community and Preaching.
40. Former Chicago Bears
coach Mike Ditka spoke at Rosary in July 2010, delivering his motivational “A.C.E.” talk focusing on Attitude, Character and Enthusiasm. Aurora native Kurt Becker, who played on the 1985 championship Chicago Bears for Mike Ditka, says “Mike is committed to helping young people reach their full potential.”
41. Foyer Gifts: The crucifix in the foyer was donated by Joseph Bergschneider; the Veritas Clock by Sue Bakala Ostermeier (’80), and the oversized Rosary in the window by the Rettenmeier Family—Mariah (’09), Meghan (’10) and Mallory (’15)
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42. Rosary welcomed our first
third generation student in the Fall of 2011. Holly Kuhn (’15) is the daughter of Katie Brummel (’92) and granddaughter of Cathy Kilian (’70).
43. Annmarie Stanley (’07) and
Elizabeth Runge (’09) each scored a perfect 36 on her ACT.
44. Rosary students have taken on a community service project, now called Holiday Hopes, each year at Christmas.
45. Rosary offers nearly 40 clubs and organizations for students. In addition to standard high school groups such as Student Council and Future Business Leaders of America, students can join the Equestrian club, Go Green club or Quidditch club, as well as groups for fashion, film, crafts, Lifesavers and Las Hermanitas.
46. The Dominican Literacy Center in Aurora, also run by the
Dominican sisters, helps women learn to read, write and speak English within an atmosphere of mutual respect and dignity. Through the generosity of trained volunteer tutors, immigrant women learn to communicate in English and to be a formative influence on their families and a strong participant in their neighborhoods, churches, workplaces and communities.
47. Bishop Loras Lane, who had asked the
Dominican Sisters of Springfield to start a high school for girls and later named the school Rosary, was present at the ground breaking and building dedication for the school. Since then, Bishop Arthur J. O’Neill and Bishop Thomas Doran visited Rosary for graduations, dedications and other ceremonies. Current Bishop David J. Malloy (above) celebrated Mass at Rosary during Catholic Schools Week 2013.
48. American History teacher Bonnie Goliak dresses as
historical characters throughout the year to bring history to life for her juniors. Characters include Sacagawea, a colonial tavern owner, a Roaring ‘20s flapper, and a Hawaiian princess.
49. Rosary’s annual walk-a-thon features themes and categories for each grade. Last year was Disney characters; 2010 was superheroes. Fall 2013 will be music genres.
50. Rosary has had several school songs over the years,
including Rosary, our Alma Mater and You’re a Grand Old School (sung to the tune of You’re a Grand Old Flag). Today, the Dominican Blessing is sung at Mass and other Rosary events. For a video of the Springfield Dominican Sisters singing this song, see RosaryHighSchool on YouTube. A version by the advanced chorus can be found at Rosarymusicdept on YouTube.
50th Anniversary Celebration Rosary Hosts Old-Fashioned Mission Carnival We hosted a mission carnival in March as part of our 50th Anniversary celebration. The fun included more than a dozen games, face painting and a cake walk. Proceeds from the event went to Rosary’s Hope for Haitians Lenten Almsgiving Project.
Celebration Ends with Staff Gathering, Closing Mass, Family Picnic Our 50th Anniversary celebration ended with a get-together for all current and former faculty and staff, a closing liturgy celebrated by Abbot John from Marmion Abbey, and a family picnic. The picnic featured food from Reulands, a 52-foot inflatable obstacle course, and music from Billy Croft and the 5-Alarm Band.
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50th Anniversary Celebration Rosary Alumnae Return for 50th Anniversary Revue Rosary alumnae and current students, joined by Marmion alumni and current students, presented the Rosary 50th Anniversary Revue, a celebration of a half-century of musicals, in March in the Rosary auditorium. Performers included Emily (Bauler) Farrell ’93, Heidi (Gordon) Doyle ‘85, Joleen Graske ‘01, Sheridan (Middleton) Gurbal ‘98, Jordan Hankes ‘12, Haleigh Hutchinson ‘11, Gretchen (Gordon) Johnson ’85, Annie May ‘00, Mary Lou (Solfisburg) Scanlon ‘67, Kent Schielke ‘71, Rachel Strolle ’11, Amanda (Braun) Thorne ‘93, and Katie (Timm) Ganey ’00. The Rosary and Marmion choirs, music director Mike Ferguson, and accompanist Ann Mary Wagner, also a Rosary alumna, performed. Mr. Ferguson wrote “The Rosary Musical Song” which gave a history of Rosary musicals and was performed by the beginning and advances choruses. A video of this gem can be found on one of our You Tube channels: Rosarymusicdept. This event began with a catered dinner in the Rosary foyer, and was sponsored by the Rosary Fine Arts Boosters. Proceeds went toward improvements to the auditorium. Watch for information on next year’s alumnae dinner theatre on our website.
50th Anniversary Events
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Opening Liturgy
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“Put the Nuns in Charge”
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Alumnae Luncheon/Adult Sock Hop
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Remembrance Mass
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Christmas Open House at the Convent
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Candlelight Ball
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Mission Carnival
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Alumnae Dinner Theatre
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Faculty & Staff Get-Together
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Closing Liturgy & Family Picnic
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School Life Faith Etheredge Making History for Rosary High School Rosary High School, A Dominican Tradition, 50 Years in the Making, written by Rosary theology teacher and yearbook advisor Faith Etheredge, was awarded a Certificate of Excellence by the Illinois State Historical Society. The ISHS Awards Program recognizes works by authors who have compiled, preserved, and/or interpreted local and state history. The Certificate of Excellence is given to works of exemplary quality showing considerable creativity, serious scholarship and efficient usage of resources. The idea for the history book developed as Rosary faculty and staff made plans for a year-long celebration of the school’s 50th Anniversary. “I have worked on the yearbook for 17 years, and thought that creating a book could be my contribution,” Ms. Etheredge said. She spent 11 months researching the facts and dates in the book, collecting the stories and photographs, identifying the people in the photos, and conducting scores of interviews in order to complete this historical publication. Many people contributed to the making of the book, Ms. Etheredge said. “Deanna Ahasic created the watercolor painting of Rosary for the cover. Mollie Dempsey (‘13) reviewed the archives and helped organize the history of the book. Sister Patricia was very encouraging, and Sister Catherine Mary and Sister Francene helped identify names and photos. Finally, Brad Nemsick of Balfour Publishing helped produce such a beautiful book,” she said. Numerous other faculty and staff contributed
Arbor Day Tree Planted at Rosary Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner and a crew from the City of Aurora planted a tree in the courtyard of Rosary High School in April on Arbor Day. The crew was assisted by students Sarah Nyaeme and Stephanie McDermott of the school’s Go Green Club. Speakers included Mayor Weisner, Principal Sister Patricia Burke, and Go Green Club moderator Lisa Lammers. Deacon Paul Iwanski gave a blessing, and the Rosary choruses sang For the Beauty of the Earth.
information about Rosary history as well. Ms. Etheredge was invited to the Governor’s Executive Mansion in Springfield for an April reception and awards ceremony. Represented were twenty-eight Illinois authors, museums, exhibit organizers, social studies teachers, students, and individuals who made outstanding contributions toward the promotion, preservation, and study of Illinois history. Rosary’s book will be included in the State’s permanent archives collection. “Ms. Etheredge did an outstanding job, producing a very attractive book that is a great pleasure to review,” said ISHS President Russell Lewis (pictured above). “And, for the first time, Rosary High School has its history collected in one publication which will serve the school now and for many years to come.” The books were given to attendees at Rosary’s Candlelight Ball and Veritas Dinner. Additional copies are available for viewing at the school office.
Seventh Graders “Explore” Rosary Area seventh grade girls were invited to attend one of three Rosary Explore Days in February, March or April during the school day to experience a slice of what high school is all about. Nearly 150 girls attended one of the three days. The program featured speakers on spirituality, leadership, academics, athletics, music, and extracurricular clubs, as well as demonstrations from the science department and Rosary’s new robotics program, and performances from the dance team and Ensemble.
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School Life Mother-Daughter Brunch Enjoyed by All More than 400 women gathered on Sunday, March 3, for the annual Mother-Daughter brunch. A Rosary High School tradition, the Mother-Daughter brunch is a celebration for students and the significant women in their lives. Mothers, grandmothers, stepmothers, godmothers, aunts and sisters were all in attendance on this special day.
Morning prayers were led by five graduating seniors. Erin Bowe, President of the senior class, shared a beautiful reflection that spoke of her special friendship with her mom. After Erin’s reflection, seniors were invited to gather and offer a blessing prayer for their mothers. The seniors then presented their moms with a lovely long-stem rose as a symbol of their love.
Held at the Gaslite Manor in Aurora, brunch attendees enjoyed a delicious buffet breakfast. Forty lucky ladies won fabulous door prizes; in addition, a centerpiece of spring flowers went home with one woman from every table. Feltes Photography was kept very busy capturing this special event for the girls and their female relatives.
At the brunch, the Parents Auxiliary announced the winners of the 2013 Community Service Scholarships. Junior and senior students were invited to submit a 500-word essay describing the importance of community service in their lives. Scholarships were awarded to Morgan Chase, Miranda Jones, and Amanda Saltijeral. Congratulations to the winners!
Rosary Students Participate in 2013 IMSA Leadership Symposium Ten Rosary students went to the 2013 IMSA Leadership Symposium in March. The symposium, featuring presentations, panels, round table discussions and speakers, was developed to inspire, educate and collaborate with youth to bring awareness of global issues that they have the ability to change on a community level. Attending from Rosary were: Nicole Basile, Rachel Bens, Cara Cox, Anne Duhig, Erin Gibson, Emily Martin, Sarah Nyaeme, Mallory Rettenmeier, Katherine Witte and Maria Witte. The keynote speaker was Dr. Sanza Kazadi, founder, president and chief scientist of the Jisan Research Insitute, a professional
research laboratory for students ages 13-18. Dr. Kazadi encourages youth to explore and connect research to questions that are important to science and humanity. The round table discussions considered questions about education, politics and social media. A sample question from the panel was, “As tomorrow’s leaders, do we have control or will masses do as masses do?” and “Our generation has established values; will the generations before and after prioritize their values with ours to make significant change?” The purpose of the discussions was to encourage youth to look deeper and think clearly about what is important to make a difference in the world.
National Honor Society Fashion Show Raises Scholarship Funds Rosary’s National Honor Society held a dress sale and fashion show in January to raise funds for Rosary scholarships. Dresses for teens, women and children—for Homecoming, Prom, Salute to Youth and First Communion—were modeled and sold. Models were Rosary students escorted by Marmion students. Two young ladies modeled First Communion dresses.
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More than 300 gently-worn dresses were available for purchase. Dress collection began in December. Sellers were able to set their own prices, and a small entry fee goes to NHS. Watch the Rosary website for information about the 2014 NHS dress sale and fashion show.
School Life Rosary Builds a House in Haiti for Lenten Almsgiving Project Brick by brick, students at Rosary High School in Aurora built a house in Haiti as our Lenten almsgiving project through Hope for Haitians. Since 2001, the Diocese of Rockford has partnered with Food for the Poor to bring clean water, food, housing, education and medical services to Haiti through a project called Hope for Haitians. Haiti is home to more than nine million people and is considered to be the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Since the devastating 2010 earthquake that killed more than 300,000 Haitians, the country has suffered from hurricanes and disease outbreaks.
Hope for Haitians. Mrs. Kegley told of a woman named Yvonise Elma and her children who had been living in a stick home in Haiti. The family was so happy to move into their new home and chose to paint it bright pink. “We want our students to understand how other people live,” Campus Minister Sandy Iwanski said. “What would it be like to live that way? Why them and not me? Our goal with this project is to provide a family with permanent shelter. We want them to understand that a family is not outside in the elements because of your brick. That’s the kind of ownership we want them to have. This brick is yours; it lives in Haiti. “At Rosary, we are preparing our students to be the presence of God in the world. We want them to understand what stewardship of their time, talent and treasure means. This experience is in their heart now,” she said.
Parishes and schools throughout the diocese have already created six villages and we are working on our seventh. These villages have built more than a place to call home – they have planted the seeds for a new life of security and dignity. One house is made of 1220 bricks and costs $6400, or $5.25 per brick. For each $5 donated, Rosary staff members Paul and Sandy Iwanski donated the additional 25-cents. A rendering of the home was built, brick by brick, in the school’s foyer prayer space. As students and staff submitted their donations, they named each brick with their family name or the name of someone they wish to honor. Individuals and groups donated to the project. For example, the French Club donated $500, the total of their fundraising for this year from a Croissant Sale and Jeans Day, and the Foreign Language Department donated the proceeds from their International Soc Hop. Students were introduced to the project on Ash Wednesday with a presentation by Theresa Kegley, the Rockford Coordinator for
While helping to meet the basic needs for housing and clean water, Hope for Haitians also creates sustainable solutions and continued self sufficiency and provides schools for the next generation. Each school serves two to three villages. “Hope for Haitians supplies uniforms, books, and teachers until they become self-sustaining,” Mrs. Iwanski said. Since the organization started, the group has established: • Clean water sources for more than 270,000 people • 350 homes for families formerly living in a swamp • Tilapia ponds for a sustainable source of nutritious protein • Livestock program as an income and food source • Re-forestation projects Rosary High School first became involved in helping the people of Haiti five years ago through our Interact Club which was sponsored by the Aurora Noon Rotary Club. The first year, the Rotary Club matched what Rosary raised. The second and third years, Rosary raised funds to purchase ShelterBoxes which provide shelter and life-saving survival equipment. Each easilytransportable ShelterBox costs $1000 and contains a 10-person tent, thermal blankets, insultated ground sheets, a multi-fuel stove, cooking utensils, tools, water purification equipment, waterproof ponchos, mosquito nets, and children’s activity packs. Last year, the Lenten almsgiving for Hope for Haitians raised $6000. When Campus Minister Sandy Iwanski realized the school had raised nearly enough to build a house in Haiti, she set that as the goal for 2013. For more information about Hope for Haitians, visit www. hopeforhaitians.org.
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Development 2013 Annual Veritas Society Recognition Dinner: You Inspire Us!
Front row, from left: Mike Ahasic, Deanne Ahasic, Vera Feltes, Joseph Rippinger, Helen Rippinger. Middle row: David Kallas, Denise Kallas, Joann Georgacopoulos Sleezer (‘91), Charles Sleezer, Jacalyn Weistroffer d’Escoto (‘85), Alexandra Juriga, Mary Rakunas, Paula Schultz Cibulskis (‘70), Robyn Dempsey, Gerald Dempsey. Back row: Tracy Miller, Steven Miller, Federico d’Escoto, Stephen Juriga, Larry Rakunas, John Heneghan, John Cibulskis, Linda Fritz.
On a beautiful Saturday evening in April, we gathered together to celebrate the incredible spirit and generosity of Rosary’s patrons. Our Annual Veritas Society Mass was held in the McEnroe Auditorium followed by dinner in the Rosary Foyer. This special mass was celebrated by Father Charles Reichenbacher, O.S.B. of Marmion Abbey. Abby Hammer, RHS Class of 2014 Dominican Preacher, did a wonderful job with the liturgical readings, and Taylor Gibson, RHS Class of 2013 Dominican Preacher, gave a remarkable reflection that clearly touched the hearts of the 70 Veritas Society guests. The Veritas Society enables the Dominican Sisters of Springfield to give well-deserved recognition to the many friends of Rosary High School who have shown outstanding financial support and vision for Rosary’s spiritual and academic goals. Thirteen New Life Veritas Members were honored with a hand-carved rose and nameplate on Rosary’s beautiful Veritas Donor Tree as well as a lovely engraved art glass award. Lifetime Veritas Members are individuals or couples whose cumulative annual appeal gifts total $10,000 or more.
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The New Emerald Life Members include: Michael and Deanna Ahasic John P. Bryan Anastasia (’84) and Stephanie (’83) Daleiden of Daleiden Mortuary Federico and Jacalyn (Weistroffer ’85) d’Escoto John and Patricia Heneghan Rick and Anne (Benoit ’73) Hutter Kevin and Mart O’Connor Matthew and Suzanne Paradis Jerry and Jane (O’Brien ’72) Pigatti Joseph and Helen Rippinger Bill and Kathleen (Hartnett ’72) Roe
Development Several current lifetime members were honored for their continued support of Rosary:
Nineteen New Annual Veritas Members—those who have donated $1000 or more to the 2012-13 Rosary Appeal—were honored with a Prayer and Mass Enrollment:
New Ruby Lifetime Member ($100,000 or more)
Brian and Andrea (Bauler ’86) David
Jean (Pooley ’78) Agnew Austin and Melissa (Feltes ’98 Dempsey
Mr. Arthur Wiesbrook
Damian and Christine Eallonardo
Sister Rose Marie Riley, O.P., New Gold Lifetime Members Prioress General, presented the Veritas Society recognition awards. ($50,000 or more)
Jason and Misti Fredstrom
Howard and Vera Feltes
Mrs. Mary Grommes
Paul and Linda Fritz
David and Denise Kallas
Richard and Jean O’Brien
Andrew and Mary Klug
Michael and Linda (Deutsch ’69) Roche
Steven and Catherine Madlinger
Martha Schomer
Stephen and Tracy Miller
James Glover James and Julie Gosselin
John and Lynn Reale New Silver Lifetime Members ($25,000 or more) John and Paula (Schiltz ’70) Cibulskis Gerard and Robyn Dempsey Ron and Mary Pat (Cherwin ’67) Esposito Diane Fabrizius (’76)
Jerry Rich Kent and April Schielke Joanne (Georgacopoulos ’91) Sleezer Gregory and Julie Thomas Donald and Beth Young Mary Jo Zoghby
Stephen and Alexandra Juriga Scott and Elizabeth O’Connor
Thank you again to all our Veritas Members because you truly do inspire us and the work we do here at Rosary High School!
Larry and Mary Rakunas Jerald and Diane Trannel
Rosary High School Announces Wiesbrook Scholarships Rosary High School is honored to announce two new scholarships donated from the estate of Arthur Wiesbrook. Arthur Joseph Wiesbrook was born July 14, 1939 and passed away on May 25, 2011. He filled those years with love of God, country, family, friends and genuine acts of charity. Art grew up on the family farm, the ninth of eleven children. He helped farm and worked a few years at Morton Arboretum before proudly serving in the United States Army. Then he worked for
the Fox Valley Park District for thirty years. He joined St. Joseph Catholic Church in Aurora where he was an active volunteer. Art enjoyed a full and rich life with his family and friends. He was the all-around good guy who was true to the values and faith of his childhood. Art said “thank you” for his good life in an extraordinary way, by leaving his entire estate to charity. Rosary High School was blessed to be remembered in his will. Through his generous donation of $267,000, $140,000 has been designated for scholarships. Rosary is privileged to award two incoming freshmen a total of $32,000 in scholarships over a four-year period in Mr. Wiesbrook’s name. “Arthur Wiesbrook’s great love of Catholic education will be a treasured legacy for the young women of Rosary High School for years to come,” said Rosary Principal Sister Patricia Burke, O.P.
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Development Rosary Celebrates Grandparents Day, May Crowning One couldn’t help but feel the warmth and love being radiated by the 267 Rosary grandparents who attended this year’s Grandparents Day on May 2nd. Grandparents filled the foyer, visiting with staff and faculty members and marveling at the posters of Rosary granddaughters lining the windows. After class change, students came to the foyer to present their grandparents with a flower and escort them to the gymnasium, where grandparent and granddaughter sat together, celebrating family and each other. Once everyone had gathered together, grandparents, granddaughters, and the entire Rosary community participated in a beautiful May Crowning ceremony, followed by recitation of the Rosary. Also woven into the ceremony was a beautiful reflection by Junior Sara Caligiuri about her grandparents as well as words shared by Sr. Patricia Burke, O.P. on the wonderful achievements of Rosary women during the past year. After the ceremony, granddaughters took their grandparents on a tour of the school, introduced them to their teachers, and captured the memory of the day with a family portrait. To all Rosary grandparents… we celebrate you and we thank you because we experience your spirit, your wisdom and your love through your granddaughters every day!
A Match Made in Heaven
Correction The following information was inadvertently omitted from the 2012 Annual Report. Gifts Donated in Memory of John G. Bryan toward the John G. Bryan Scholarship Fund: Carol & Dick Bakala Willy Childress Mark Smith Talbert, Madden, and Bugher Families
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Rosary High School recently partnered with iModules and HEP Data to make it even easier to do a Matching Gift to Rosary. Our website now has a seamless link with HEP Data that provides the names of more than 16,000 companies that offer Matching Gift Programs. Simply go to our Development pages on www.rosaryhs. com, click on “Donate” and scroll down to the Matching Gifts section of the “Donate” form. Type in a company name, and if your company (or your spouse’s company) offers a Matching Gifts program, the company name will be displayed. (You do not need to commit to a donation to access this link.) Once you see the company’s name, please contact a company representative for the appropriate paperwork…and voila – the beginning of a “Match Made in Heaven”!
Candlelight Ball Candlelight Ball Lights the Way for the Next 50 Years The 2013 Candlelight Ball is now only a memory…but what a great memory it is! A sellout crowd of over 400 people joined us to celebrate Rosary High School’s 50th anniversary at the Hilton Inn in Lisle, Illinois. The mood was electric from the moment people walked in the door until the band played the last song! More than 50 alumnae attended the celebration, a true testament to the love that exists for their alma mater. Our guests included alumnae and friends from as far away as Florida, Utah and Arizona as well as all corners of Chicagoland. In keeping with the times, we introduced electronic bidding from iPod devices for our silent auction. After a short learning curve, the crowd found themselves outbidding one another with lightning speed. Our new auctioneer, Jim Miller, found ways to get the crowd bidding on our live auction items while entertaining the rest of the room. Everyone loved him! The room was beautiful, the food delicious and the dress, elegant. But most importantly, our guests were generous, beyond all of our expectations. This year’s Candlelight Ball raised $82,000 with $30,000 of it earmarked for technology upgrades throughout the school. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate 50 years than by laying the foundation for the next 50! Our sincere thanks to all those who provided sponsorships, donated auction items, purchased raffle tickets and/or attended the event. Mark your calendars for February 22, 2014, at the Naperville Marriott. Auctioneer Jim Miller and the band Chef Dan and the Appetizers will be returning. You won’t want to miss the NEXT Candlelight Ball!
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Alumnae Alumnae Awards Recognize Service, Spirit and Professional Excellence Every year, Rosary High School honors remarkable graduates with the Dominican Alumnae Award. The recipients of these awards have been nominated for their great standing in the community and life of dedication to Christian ideals. Awards are given in three areas: Service, Professional Excellence, and Rosary Spirit. The Spirit of Rosary Award was given to Mary Pat Cherwin Esposito, class of 1967, currently residing in Bristol. Mary Pat has been actively involved with RHS since her graduation. In the summer of 1985 she became a part of the staff at Rosary as the first enrollment director, where she worked for Rosary until the spring of 1998. During those years she attended all the Lay Advisory Board of Trustees meetings to report on the activities and work of recruiting and enrolling future Rosary students. In the fall of 1997, she was asked to sit on the Lay Advisory Board of Trustees, which she did for 12 years. After that, she served on the Governing Board of Trustees until May of 2011. She is known for being an involved person who loves helping others. The Professional Excellence Award is presented to Dr. Amy Brenski, Rosary Class of 1985. In addition to practicing Pediatric Otolaryngology at the Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, Dr. Brenski is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology, Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Prior to joining the faculty in 2000, she completed her residency training in Otolaryngology at Rush–Presbyterian–St. Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. She then completed a two-year fellowship in Pediatric Otolaryngology at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She is certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. She is an active member of the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology.
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Dr. Amy Brenski (‘85) and Dr. Letty Gonzalez (‘85) for the management of children with obstructive sleep apnea, craniofacial anomalies and sinus disease. She was a major contributor in the development of a Pediatric Otolaryngology Fellowship Program (2011, GME accredited in March of 2013) and the first electronic Pediatric Difficult Airway Registry (2007), both at the Children’s Medical Center of Dallas. She was a member of the Clinical Executive Leadership Team at Children’s in Dallas as the Medical Director of Ambulatory Services from October of 2009 to June of 2012. She has been a physician leader in the process improvement initiatives that are ongoing at the Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, in order to “make life better for children.” Dr. Brenski resides near Dallas with her husband, Geoff Luczycki. They were married on April 30, 2011. The Service Award is being given to Dr. Letty Gonzalez, Rosary Class of 1985. After graduating from Loyola University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree, Dr. Gonzalez earned her doctorate in medicine from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Wisconsin Sinai Samaritan Medical Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Dr. Gonzalez is board certified by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists.
Dr. Brenski’s practice focuses on Pediatric Otolaryngology exclusively. She has interests and is currently involved in clinical research in the areas of pediatric sensorineural hearing loss, otitis media, and the impact of gastroesophageal reflux disease on other pediatric diseases of the head and neck.
Dr. Gonzalez has spent the last decade serving underprivileged women on Chicago’s south side and is currently an OB/GYN physician serving non-English speaking women on Chicago’s west side and western Cook County. In addition to utilizing her bilingual English and Spanish skills to assist her patients, Dr. Gonzalez has organized numerous fundraisers to help families in need in the Chicagoland area. Dr. Gonzalez has been the recipient of numerous awards, including nomination for Physician of the Year, 2012-2013.
She was the Division Director of Pediatric Otolaryngology at Children’s Medical Center Dallas, from January of 2006 to July of 2012. She has also continues to participate in multidisciplinary teams at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas
Dr. Gonzalez resides in Riverside, Illinois, with her husband Miguel Almeida and their four children. The Gonzalez-Almeida family is active at St. Mary’s Church and grade school in Riverside, Illinois.
Alumnae 13th Annual Road Scholar 5k Run/Walk a Success Runners and walkers of all ages registered to take part in the 13th Annual Road Scholars Run/Walk on a warm Sunday morning on May 19th. A big thank you to all the hard working alumnae, Rosary faculty and staff, current students and volunteers for the Road Scholars 5k Run/Walk. Your help was much appreciated. Sponsorship is the key to the fund raising part of the race. Proceeds from the race are used to support the Sr. Mary Joseph Scholarship Fund. This year’s sponsors were: Gold Sponsors: American Sportswear, and Joanne (Georgacopoulos ’91) & Charles Sleezer Silver Sponsors: First Centennial Mortgage, Flynn & O’Hara School Uniforms, Konen Insurance, Lumberman’s Wholesale, Inc., Physical Therapy Advantage, Servant Financial, Ltd, Sikich LLP, and Speers, Reuland & Cibulskis, PC. Bronze Sponsors: Friend of Rosary, Buchar Family Chiropractic, Colleen & Ed Evert, and Prana Yoga Center Gift Bag Sponsors: Plano Molding and Rush Copley Food Sponsors: Dasani Water, Panera Bread, Prisco’s Fine Foods, and Starbucks In-kind Donations: Big Tuna Marketing, Rosary Sports Boosters Special thanks to Mary Lou Kunold for all the help, support, set up and take down. Full 2013 race results are available through the Rosary web site (www.rosaryhs.com).
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Alumnae Rosary Welcomes Twenty-Two Alumnae for Career Day
Twenty-two alumnae returned to Rosary to share their experiences with current students at Career Day in January. Careers represented were: visual marketing communications manager, physical therapist, owner/ operator of three McDonalds, early childhood special education teacher, dental hygienist, freelance writer/ owner of marketing company/ brand journalist, parks & recreation planning, flight attendant, ER nurse practitioner (MSN, RN, ACNP-C), U.S. Air Force C130 instructor pilot, deputy chief of UNO Charter Schools Network in Chicago, forensic scientist (certified latent print examiner), chiropractic & naturopathic medicine (certified acupuncturist), labor and delivery nurse, optometrist,
family law attorney, artist & owner of art studio, realtors, computer technology manager, and post-partum charge nurse. Bottom row from left – on chairs: Lisa (Lentz) Manning (‘92), Angie (Desmond) Matlock (‘87), Sheila (Bernal) Ray (‘91), Jill (Rakunas) Niemi (’91), Erin (May) Jackle (’99), and Clarisse Mendoza (’02). Top row from left – standing: Sarah (Lee) Reynolds ( ‘94), Margarita (Aviles) Cozzoni (‘85), Katy (Hemmerich) Frega (‘05), Liz (Teske) Rago (‘95), Captain Michelle Morse (’00), Lauren Mamantov (’86), Jackie (Weistroffer) d’Escoto (‘85), Jacqueline (Greiter) Risch (‘80), Julie (Kluber) Smith (‘94), Sandra (Ferson) Young (‘94), Martha (Ryan) Dorfler (‘84), Kathy (Ryan) Healy (‘79), Laura (Feltes) Rudow (‘93), Jenni (Oberweis) Roberts (‘86), Jennie (Sullivan) Nash (‘94), Kathy (Casey) Jarecki (‘75), and Michelle Salerno (’84).
Deb Happ (‘09) to Enter Religious Order
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We were pleased to received the following update from Deb Happ, Rosary Class of 2009:
(2012) doing mission work with them in Guyana. Now after much prayer I look forward to entering their community after graduation (May 2013).
I have applied and have been accepted to a religious community of Catholic nuns—The Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matará. They are the religious family of the Incarnate Word (el Instituto del Verbo Encarnado–IVE). I went on a pilgrimage with them to World Youth Day in Spain (summer 2011) and spent last summer
Before doing so however, I have to pay off my student loans. So in order to do that, I will be running the Chicago Marathon this October with the hope that I will be able to use the marathon to fundraise and with the generous support of others, will be able to pay off the remainder of my student loans. The following is a website that I have created in order to share my story, receive donations and prayer requests: https://sites. google.com/site/runningtobehis/
Alumnae
All-School Reunion Weekend November 22-24, 2013 Tickets and reservations for all events being held during the All-School Reunion Weekend are available on the Rosary website at www.rosaryhs.com or call 630-896-0831 Ext 19.
Friday, November 22, 2013
Family Movie Night 6 p.m. Movie Activities Ice cream “make your own sundae” bar Children (and adults, if you wish) dress as your favorite character and compete in our costume contest! Tours of the school will be available. RSVP requested. 6:30 p.m. Movie Bring your friends, children and grandchildren to the Rosary Auditorium to watch our movie (to be announced).
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Alumnae Day at Rosary Check www.rosaryhs.com after October 1st for details.
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Remembrance Mass 9:30 a.m. Rosary’s McEnroe Auditorium Rosary High School Alumnae Association cordially invites you to join us for a Remembrance Mass for Rosary’s deceased alumnae and deceased family members of our current Rosary faculty, staff and students. Please feel free to extend an invitation to other family members. A continental breakfast will be served afterwards in the school cafeteria. We hope you and your family are able to join us. Please RSVP to http://www.rosaryhs.com/remembrancemass If we have missed any alumnae who have passed away, please contact the Alumnae Office at (630) 896-0831 ext. 19 or email dolson@rosaryhs.com with the appropriate information: Maiden name, married name, graduation year, date of death, contact name and phone number.
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Alumnae Class News and Notes All Classes: Please email dolson@rosaryhs.com to include your information in the next Rosary Review magazine. Make sure you mark it “include in newsletter/web site.” We would like to hear what’s happening in your lives. Pictures submitted must include alumna and will be included in the Rosary Review as space allows. Class of 1975 Nancy Hepp was married to Kenneth Carlin at their home in Clinton, Washington, on January 28, 2013. They had planned an August wedding, but Ken became gravely ill and they decided not to wait. They spent their wedding night in the emergency department. Ken passed away on March 21st. Please keep them in your prayers. Class of 1977 Mary (Gaul) Bochnovic sent us an email: “My husband & I moved to Nashville TN a year ago and started a new chapter in our lives. We both found great jobs and share our home with our dogs, a Sheltie named Gizmo and our newest addition, a retired Greyhound named Addie. We are loving it here!” Class of 1985 Maria Roble is a self-published author and recently released her new novel, The Magician’s Doll (by M.L. Roble) as an ebook on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. It is also available in paperback. It’s a fantasy for upper middle grade students, although adults might enjoy it as well! Check out more information at http:// www.amazon.com/dp/B00AZSCK1E Class of 1989 Mrs. Kimberly Schwerdtfeger Fadden currently works for the Archdiocese of Portland as the principal at St. Francis School, a K-8 Catholic school in Sherwood, Oregon. She is a Member of WCEA (Western Catholic Educational Association) Accreditation Visiting Committee for schools in the Archdiocese of Portland. Mary Schalz Ihnenfeld had another baby. She and her husband, Craig welcomed a baby girl on April 28th. Her name is AnnaLea and she weighed in at 7lbs 2ozs and was 19 1/2 inches long. She was also welcomed home by her big brother Nathan, age 2 1/2. Class of 1991 Jill (Rakunas) Niemi and her husband Ross announce “John Philip (JP) was born March 14th and came home April 19 to join big brother Ethan.” Class of 1992 Jennifer Garlitz Martin and her husband Mark had their first child, a boy, Ethan Joseph, born January 9, 2013.
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Class of 1995 Michelle Boule is one of five dancers in And lose the name of action, a multimedia dance piece performed at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago from January 31 to February 3. Class of 1996 Julie (Babush) Rivera and her husband Rigo announce the birth of their daughter Emily Anali Rivera. Emily was born on July 8, 2012 weighing 6 pounds, 7 ounces and was 19 inches long. Her big sister is Lydia (3). Class of 1999 Kelly Smith married Tim May on September 2, 2012 in Sandwich, IL. (See photo) Mary (Anderson) Love and her husband Dan Love welcomed their first child Emily Marie Love on 11/28/12 in Denver, CO. Class of 2000 Julie McGowan married Dustin Gerdes on August 11, 2012 in Winfield, IL. Class of 2002 Mr. and Mrs. Tim (Kelly Smith) May Rebecca Benson let us know that she participated in a Cezanne painting party in Chicago. Rebecca was the Art Club president when she was at Rosary. Class of 2003 Sonya (Lo Destro) Kolowski was awarded a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from the University of Francis on December 15, 2012. Natalie Erdman married CJ Cerise on 01/26/2013 in Deadwood, SD, in the Black Hills. Natalie met CJ at South Dakota State University. She majored in horticulture and he double majored in wildlife and range management. They live in South Dakota. (See photo)
Front: Marlene (Bolly ’70) Erdman and Natalie (Erdman ’03) Cerisse Back: Tim and Don Erdman and Nikki Erdman (’08)
Alumnae Class of 2007 Amanda Gray is the operations coordinator and one of the founders of Tiger Pantry, a food pantry that caters to in need students and staff at University of Missouri. Tiger Pantry is one of the first in what is now a growing trend of campus food banks. Katherine Wenzel is engaged to Brandon Soris, 2007 Marmion Graduate. Katherine is a 2011 graduate of NIU. She is currently a Dietetic Intern and working towards her MS in Nutrition and Dietetics at NIU. Brandon is a 2011 graduate of St. Norbert College with a BA in both Accounting and Finance. He is a CPA and is employed at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Chicago. The wedding will take place July 20, 2013 at Holy Angels in Aurora. Class of 2009 Kelly Brannock graduated in May from Michigan State University with her degree in Special Education, and currently is engaged to Chi Yang. They are going to be moving to the city of Chicago and plan to get married in January of 2014. “I just wanted to get the word out to my classmates and let them know they can contact me at 630-946-4665.” Class of 2010 Danielle Hyatt is currently engaged to Anthony Vecchiolla (Marmion graduate) and the couple is planning their wedding for July 2014. She will be doing research on adult stem cells this summer with a Cornell professor at Weill Cornell Medical College. Dawn Hyatt graduated early from the University of Kentucky where she earned her pre-pharmacy degree. She was accepted to the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Pharmacy College and will start in the fall. These two years have been overall pretty lifechanging for the two of them. Olivia Scott won a NCAA Title in 100-Yard Butterfly. (See article on page 20.) Class of 2011 Kelley Agnew is a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin– Whitewater, with a double major in International Business and Spanish. She is featured in this article (below) for her position
as Campus Assistant. She is also on the Habitat board of directors and took a bus to Mobile, AL, for her spring break last year to rehab a home for a family who fell victim to hurricane destruction. (She is now a master at laying a wood floor!) She is an active member of the CSC (Catholic Student Coalition) and the wheelchair basketball and water polo teams. She was chosen to work on the school’s Hawk Squad next school year. The ten members of Hawk Squad are responsible for leading all first-year students through orientation which includes signing up for classes, providing various information about campus involvement, and most importantly generating student enthusiasm; pumping them up to be proud Warhawks!
In MemoriAm Eileen Kames Lunsford, Rosary Class of 1975, died on December 15, 2012 following a courageous 12-year battle with cancer. Please remember Eileen and her family in your prayers. Kim Kayzer Schmidt, Rosary Class of 1974, of Goodyear, Arizona, passed away suddenly on February 11, 2013. Please remember Kim and her family in your prayers.
Class Representatives Needed We are looking for Rosary Class Representatives (Classes 1966– 2012). We would like two representatives from each class. Please contact Debbie Olson at 630-898-0631 x19 for more details. We are starting the program in the fall. Can you help? We would like all classes to have two to three representatives. Duties would include:
1. • Send in/out class information.
• Help find missing classmates. • Email information for class get together.
2. • Encourage and help arrange class activities
• Encourage attendance at Rosary Alumnae functions
3. • Serve as central contact person for classmates &
for Rosary. • Email classmates about deaths of classmate’s family members (Obituary supplied from Rosary), etc.
Have you moved recently? Don’t miss an issue of the Rosary Review! Keep your address current by updating your information on our web site, www. rosaryhs.com. Add your email address to receive our monthly newsletter for Rosary alumnae.
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