Four presented with Alumnae Awards

12/1/2024

Four Rosary graduates were presented with Dominican Alumnae Awards at the all-alumnae reunion on November 16, 2024

The Dominican Alumnae Award recognizes graduates who model the mission of Rosary High School and who live the truth (Veritas). Through preaching with their lives, award winners use their gifts to further Christ’s teachings and are an inspiration to peers as well as students of Rosary High School.

Cindy Gierhart (’98) was recognized for Professional Excellence. A nominee for this award makes a difference in the world through her education and leadership above and beyond.

Cindy is a lawyer for Holland & Knight LLP in Washington DC, working on media and intellectual property litigation. She made partner at the beginning of 2024, and was recognized for her excellent litigation work in the court room this past summer. Cindy is currently on a list of “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch” in America. Cindy was nominated by her sister Jenny (Gierhart ’91) Chung.

Cindy earned her Bachelor of Science in Print Journalism at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, her Master’s in International Law and the Settlement of Disputes at the University for Peace in Costa Rica, then her Juris Doctor at the American University Washington College of Law in Washington, DC, in 2013.

“In addition to the many cases that Cindy works on at Holland & Knight, she also performs 50 hours of pro bono work each year since 2016, providing free legal assistance to low-income individuals,” Jenny said. “This work has led her to earn the Pro Bono All-Star award at her firm.”

Cindy is involved in several organizations including: the DC Bar Arts, Entertainment, Media and Sports Law Community, and the International Trademark Association. She completed a fellowship at the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press; she clerked with a judge in DC Superior Court, and she served as Editor in Chief of the American University International Law Review.

In addition, Cindy supports New Endeavors By Women in Washington DC which focuses on helping homeless women create new futures.

As a Rosary student, Cindy was involved in Yearbook and Newspaper. As for her favorite Rosary memories, Cindy wrote, “I mostly remember the moments in between the bigger moments: passing notes in chemistry class, sitting with friends at lunch, and Latin classes with Mrs. Spencer.”

“Rosary offered an environment where I felt comfortable speaking up in class and allowed me to gain confidence in myself,” Jenny wrote. “I became a better writer at Rosary, launching me into a career in journalism before becoming a lawyer (which also involves a great deal of writing). But perhaps most lasting are the friendships I made at Rosary. Despite living half a country away from them for most of the past 25 years, I remain close with three of my high school friends.”

Zoe (Konen ’80) Knudtson was recognized for Community Service. This award recognizes a graduate’s exceptional service to others. A nominee for this award makes a difference in the world through volunteer work or other service above and beyond.

Zoe' was nominated by her sister, Kerrie (Konen ’81) Pelenytschka, for her remarkable dedication to community service. “Zoe' has volunteered for many organizations through the years. She was a Cub Scout leader and was supportive in encouraging her two sons, as well as many other young men, in earning Eagle Scout status. Zoe' has also been volunteering for many years with an organization called Snowball which works with high school students in structuring events and team building opportunities, encouraging them to stay away from drinking and drugs during these formative years,” Kerrie wrote.

In addition, Zoe volunteers with Holy Angels Church: St. Anne’s Society (has been president, secretary, treasurer); Holy Angels School as lunch mom, library aide, room mom, and volleyball coach; and the Rosary High School Alumnae Board.

“My sister is an amazing woman, mother, sister, wife, and friend, and has the most beautiful and generous heart,” Kerrie said. “She is a very selfless person whom I believe exemplifies Christian ideals.”

Professionally, Zoe works at Konen Insurance helping others with their insurance needs. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business from Marquette University

At Rosary, Zoe was involved in swim team, volleyball, track, Pep Club, Ski Club, and Spanish Club. She was also a Class officer, and Student Council representative.

A favorite Rosary memory? “Day one through Graduation….I loved it all,” she said. “That’s why I wanted my girls to go to Rosary High School!”

“Rosary High School was a place where my self-confidence was supported and practiced,” she said. “I loved going to school where God was talked about, and our faith could be questioned. I loved going to school with just girls, where we grew into strong women who took leadership roles and got the jobs done. I enjoyed being taught and encouraged by amazing women who prepared me for my short-term goal of going to college and my long-term goal of being a wife and mother.”

Jeannie (Guzauskas ‘72) Currie was recognized for Rosary Spirit. This nominee demonstrates loyalty to Rosary by Service, Pride, Initiative, Responsibility, Integrity, and Teamwork.

“Jeannie is deserving of the Rosary Spirit Award,” wrote her nominator, Jeannie (Dunlop '72) Helin. “She was involved in the Rosary Alumnae Association for more than 12 years. She helped with the Remembrance Mass and many other alum events each year. She was also involved in athletics and Sports Boosters while her daughters were students and her husband was a coach. She and her sister helped plan early Candlelight Ball galas.”

“Jeanne is one of three sisters to attend Rosary, has three daughters who attended Rosary, and has four sisters-in-law who attended Rosary,” she continued. “The Currie and Guzauskas families have always supported Rosary, and it is my understanding that she is the driving force behind her class reunions. Jeannie and her husband have raised a large and loving Catholic family.”

At Rosary, Jeannie was involved in music, plays, yearbook and French club. She was Class Secretary and Vice President, and a member of National Honor Society. She played intramural sports; (there were no organized sports at that time!).

Jeannie says she benefitted from Rosary’s base of religion, college-prep curriculum, all-girls school, commitment to Rosary, life and family values.

A favorite Rosary memory? Jeannie says there are many, especially during her alumnae years:

Fertilizing the courtyard with the number 72 our senior year. Our group was so concerned not to damage the grass that we brought water to help the grass grow, get greener, and not harm the grass! This is when the courtyard had no hallway enclosing the area, a long time ago!
Started the Rosary Alumnae Craft Show with my sister Barb (Guzauskas '68) Hamsmith.
Slept outside overnight in a lawn chair in front of Schaefer’s Greenhouse (with huge support from my Currie sisters-in-law) to be in line for popular Beanie Babies to raffle at Rosary's Craft show for the Sister Mary Joseph Scholarship fund.
Served as the first "accountants" for the Candlelight Ball/Silent Auction with my sister Barb (Guzauskas '68) Hamsmith.
Past President of the Alumnae Association, and a member of the association for more than 12+ years. It was important to me to support my daughters and nieces attending Rosary.
Worked at the Super Bowl event alongside my husband Dan Currie during his ten years as a basketball coach at Rosary. Assisted my husband by taping basketball games for viewing by players. (Hence the reason for the electrical outlets at the top of the bleachers; requested this when the gym was being constructed LOL)
My parents were one of the founding families of Rosary High School.
Both my sisters, all my sisters-in-law, my nieces and all three of my daughters attended Rosary. A testament to why I feel Rosary is important to me.
Proud to be part of my family's group of past recipients of this award---Barb (Guzauskas ‘68) Hamsmith, Bonne (Currie ‘80) Reder, and Sr. Catherine Mary Currie (‘70). Another testament of our love of Rosary High School.

Grace Goheen was recognized for Young Alumna Achievement. This nominee is an alumna aged 30 or younger who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in her profession or community.

Grace Goheen, BSN RN, is currently traveling around the country and working with a variety of hospitals suffering from staff shortages. “Grace's commitment to saving lives, providing quality care, and comforting patients is truly remarkable,” wrote her nominator Kathryn (Heeg ‘16) DeMoss. “As she travels around the country, she touches the lives of not only her patients and their families, but also her coworkers.”

“Grace is such a bright light in the medical field,” Kathryn continued. “When working at Mercy Hospital after graduating from Valparaiso University, she was quickly identified as a leader on the floor and promoted to charge nurse. The hospitals she works at now all see Grace as a critical part of their team - Grace's coworkers, at various levels of experience, look to her not only as a ray of sunshine in a demanding profession, but also as a mentor and leader.

One of Grace’s co-workers, Alicia D'Angelo, BSN RN, said: "Working with Grace has truly changed my perspective on nursing. Grace is such a positive force on the floor; her patients love her and so does our staff. Grace is a kind and compassionate nurse who does everything in her power to advocate for her patients. In their most vulnerable moments, Grace is there to make them feel supported, happy and loved. I am so grateful to be able to learn from Grace. I will forever be grateful that nursing brought her into my life"

Grace graduated from Valparaiso University in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and took her first job as a nurse working at Mercy Hospital in Aurora for two years. “I decided to pack up and move to Richmond, Virginia to start my journey as a travel nurse in January of 2022,” Grace said. “I spent the last year living in Wilmington, NC working in the float pool before I transitioned to the cardiac stepdown unit. I am currently working in Boston, MA until December.”

Grace has also continued to “preach with her life” in her community. “I was involved in the Chi Omega sorority at Valparaiso University. Our philanthropy was Make A Wish Foundation. During my time in Chi Omega, our chapter met our fundraising goal each year, and successfully granted four wishes to children.

“In the spring of 2018, I traveled to Houston, TX with other students to help rebuild homes that were destroyed from Hurricane Harvey in 2017,” she continued. “Most recently, I ran my first marathon in Chicago on October 13, raising money for Ronald McDonald House Charities which houses families with sick children receiving treatment.”

“Throughout my four years at Rosary High School, I was a member of the student council, and French, interact, and yearbook clubs. I participated in track and field, dance team, soccer, basketball, and was captain of the tennis team.”

“Attending Rosary was truly a blessing,” Grace said. “Every day, I was constantly challenged in the classroom by my peers. As a young woman, the environment that you're in plays a significant role in shaping the person you will one day become, and I truly cannot think of a better place to have spent these formative years.

“Rosary's all-girl environment fostered a closely-knit community that empowered and supported me not only during my time here, but also long after I graduated. The lessons I learned and the friendships I made here are incredibly precious, and I would not be the person I am today without my Veritas experience.”

Grace’s favorite Rosary memory was homecoming week, specifically Wacky Wednesday. “I loved dressing up for each theme. Meera Vyas (‘16) and I were selected to dance on stage our senior year! It was also special having my grandmother Deanna Ahasic, former Rosary art teacher, present during my four years. She retired in 2016, the same year I graduated. My mother, Kathleen (Ahasic ‘87) Goheen, is a Rosary graduate as well.

Thank you to these amazing Rosary graduates for all they have done to preach with their lives and make the world a better place.

See November reunion photos

https://rosaryhs.smugmug.com/2024-25-Events/Alumnae-Reunion

Plan now for the 2025 Awards:
The 2025 all-alumnae reunion is scheduled for Saturday, November 1, at Noon, followed by our annual Remembrance Mass on Sunday, November 2, at 9 am.

Nominate a classmate for a Dominican Alumnae Award using this form.

https://rosaryhs.myschoolapp.com/page/alumnae/dominican-alumnae-awards?siteId=1234

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Four presented with Alumnae Awards

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