Eight members of the Class of 2025 are daughters of Rosary alumnae

Eight members of the Class of 2025 are daughters of Rosary alumnae. Following their own experiences at Rosary, these graduates and many other alumnae chose a Rosary education for their daughters.

Erin Barr is the daughter of Becky (Arbizzani ’92) Barr; Alivia Brennan is the daughter of Sue (Hollis ’87) Brennan; Aaliyah Jeffries is the daughter of Stephanie Dietiker (’04); Reese Gilla is the daughter of Adrienne (LeFevre ’94) Gilla; Fiona Guzniczak is the daughter of Kelly (Stare ’90) Guzniczak; Sydney Hess is the daughter of Kristi (Waters ’91) Hess; Margaret Hirner is the daughter of Jennifer (Hamilton ’94) Hirner; and Emily Tineo is the daughter of Jessica (Nielsen ’03) Tineo.

 “During my time at Rosary, I formed many lifelong friendships and truly learned the value of sisterhood,” said Sue (Hollis ’87) Brennan. “Some of my favorite memories happened by being a member of student council and the basketball team. My most special memory, if I had to pick, would be going to the sock-hops with my friends and dancing the night away!”

“One way that my Rosary education impacted my career was the many years I spent as a business owner,” she said. “Rosary taught me basic skills like math and science as well as the social skills that allowed me to make connections and build my success.”

“For my daughter Alivia to be graduating from Rosary is such a beautiful and full circle experience that makes me so excited and confident in all of her future endeavors due to the preparation and education I know that she received during her time at Rosary,” Sue said.

Adrienne (LeFevre ’94) Gilla’s favorite activities at Rosary were basketball and softball. She has many fond memories, but a favorite was getting out of class to help Kuhn (Mary Lou Kunold) rake the softball field before games. 

“My Rosary education gave me the confidence to work in a male-dominated field, start my own business, and to be charitable,” Adrienne said. 

Reese is her second of three daughters to attend Rosary. “I believe that receiving 100 percent of the focus and attention for four years is a profound experience for a young woman; one that is unlike any other period in her life,” she said. “I am grateful that I am able to provide my daughters with that same experience, as I know it will positively impact their personal and professional endeavors in the future.”

 “I am so grateful that Aaliyah was able to attend Rosary like I did, Stephanie Dietiker (‘04) said. “It was truly a blessing. Aaliyah and I often talk about the benefits of going to an all-girls school. Every morning you wake up, throw your hair in a pony tail, and put on a uniform. I saw Aaliyah’s confidence and ability to participate in class increase being in an all-girls school as well.”

“Rosary prepared me academically for the next stage of my life,” she said. “I remember going to college and being so grateful for all the work I had done at Rosary that seemed to make college that much easier for me. I am looking forward to Aaliyah having the same experience as she embarks on her college journey.” 

“Rosary staff has supported Aaliyah through the many ups and downs of high school and I am certain she graduates with so many lasting memories,” Stephanie said. “I am so happy that she can follow in our families footsteps of graduating from Rosary like her Grandma, who was a Madonna graduate, her Aunt Carrie (Rosary 2000), and myself (Rosary 2004).”

“I'm so proud to have a second daughter experience Rosary,” Kristi (Waters ’91) Hess said. “It's hard to believe that Sydney is graduating--it seems like just yesterday that she decided to follow in her sister's footsteps (Emma ’23) and attend Rosary. She wasn't interested in looking at other schools as Rosary seemed like the best fit for her. I have always spoken highly of Rosary and my experience, and it just made her decision so easy.”

“It's been wonderful to watch Sydney's growth from freshmen year--trying out new sports, doing well in her academics, and participating in clubs. Hearing her stories about her Mission Trips and the impact it had on both her and the homeowners has been amazing--she learned so much about herself as well as the importance of service and community. Her involvement with NHS has brought lasting memories--from dressing as a banana for the trick-or-treating event to dancing with the residents at the NHS Senior Prom at Greenfields of Geneva Retirement Community. Playing volleyball all four years enabled her to learn patience, create a hard work ethic, and build time management skills,” Kristi said.

“Her experiences have given her a strong foundation for the next chapter in her life, and she is well prepared for college. Faith development, decision-making skills, and confidence--all things Sydney has learned from her four years in an all-girls environment,” she said. “As for the Sisterhood, Sydney has built friendships that will be a huge part of her life beyond the Square.”

“I know that Rosary has been the best decision for our family, especially having experienced it myself,” Kristi continued. “I look back on my four years with fond memories: the fun we had in art class, the spring break trips to Europe and Peru, the soc hops with Marmion and ACC, and the senior pranks that I won't share here! I received a stellar education with exceptional study habits that helped me succeed in college and later, in my career. Being in an all-girls environment also built up my confidence that I'm not sure I would have had otherwise!”

“I look forward to Sydney's next chapter, and pray that God continues to guide her and her fellow classmates,” she continued. “I also pray that Rosary continues its success in years to come.”

“Reflecting upon my time at Rosary (way back when), I fondly remember my time singing in Glee Club/Ensemble or performing musicals on the Rosary stage; the same stage both my girls performed on during their time at Rosary. (I, however, was there "pre-auditorium" where the stage was shared with the gym.), recalled Kelly (Stare ’90) Guzniczak whose daughters Fiona (’25) and Maya (’18) are Rosary alumnae. “I love how all of our cast photos from our different times at Rosary share the same space on the wall in the music wing.”

“Rosary provided me with a strong academic foundation that aided me throughout college and lifelong friendships for which I am very blessed to have in my life,” Kelly said.  “The Rosary all-girl' experience is like no other, and I am so grateful that both my girls have been able to attend Rosary as I did.”

“I have so many memories of Erin's time at Rosary,” Becky (Arbizzani ’92) Barr said. “The most special of which are the amazing performances that she was a part of on Rosary's stage. I was involved in theater during my time at Rosary but my kids took that to another level and witnessing their talents celebrated and nurtured has been such a blessing.” Becky is the mother of Erin (’25) and Reegan (’23).

“These last four years with Erin at Rosary have been very special. As an alumna, I knew the nurturing place Rosary was for me and I had always hoped my daughters would have the same experience,” she said. “Making that a reality and being able to give them the opportunity to benefit from the all-girls environment has been very rewarding.”

“Being on the Rosary staff during the entire time that Erin was a student also gave me a very unique perspective,” Becky said.  “It is one thing to imagine your student in the same hallways and classrooms that you were in, but it is another to see it firsthand every day. To see her with a great group of friends, witness the support of caring faculty, and watch Erin taking advantage of every opportunity available is something that I will always remember.”