Generations of Achievement

Five members of the Class of 2026 are the daughters of Rosary alumnae, and two are also the granddaughters of Rosary alumnae. 

We asked these alumnae to reflect on their own time at Rosary and on what it means to them to have their daughters follow in their Rosary footsteps.

Cristina Villanueva (’03) is the mother of graduating senior Natalia Gutierrez (’26) and current student Victoria Gutierrez ('29).

“My time at Rosary was filled with unforgettable memories and experiences that helped shape who I am today,” Cristina said. “One of my favorite classes was graphic design, with Ms. Garibaldi. She made every one of her computer classes so much fun. I still use the tools she taught me in my day to day life. I also loved spending many hours with Sister Bernadette in the library!” 

“My favorite memory was the trip to Costa Rica I got to take with some of my classmates for Spanish class. Seeing volcanoes and being at the beach with friends was amazing,” Cristina said.  

“The education I received at Rosary prepared me so well for life beyond high school, teaching me discipline, balance, and most importantly giving me the knowledge and skills to succeed in my future,” she said.

“Having Natalia graduate from Rosary is so special to me. I loved seeing her make her own memories here. She formed such special bonds with her awesome teachers,” she continued. “Knowing my daughters received the same strong education as my sister and I did makes me confident they are well prepared for the future. It is beautiful to watch my children continue a legacy that is so meaningful to our family!

Favorite Rosary activities for Tricia (Schearer '94) Grzesik, mother of Margaret Patzer ('26) were track and the musicals. “My favorite memory was the senior year talent show when my friends and I were "The Brady Bunch,"  Tricia said.

“Rosary gave me the foundation to succeed in college and taught me self discipline and perseverance.  My confidence was built at Rosary and that led me to pursue a career in Nursing that has shaped my life,” she said.

“Being able to share my experience at Rosary with Maggie has been such a gift. I didn’t fully realize the impact Rosary makes on young women until I saw the impact on my own daughter,” Tricia said. ”The relationship I have with Maggie has grown due to her education and experience at Rosary. I am so proud to say that we are both Rosary graduates!”

Donna (Sirek '93) Sperlakis is the mother of two Rosary graduates and is the daughter-in-law of a Rosary graduate as well. Her daughters are current senior Madalyn Sperlakis ('26) and Elizabeth Sperlakis (’20), and her mother-in-law is Cynthia (Gaul '72) Sperlakis.

Donna’s favorite activities in high school were Friday night sock hops, Spring and Fall musicals, and Marmion football games.

“Some special memories, things that have stuck with me, are Sister Jean Patrice (JP) singing our US history lessons (Every time I hear "Say You Want a Revolution" from the Beatles I think of her). Anyone who had Mrs. Stemper for Sophomore English will remember learning alliteration, "Lovely Lena Lingard liked to lick lemon lollipops.” But mostly I appreciate all the laughs and fun we all had together every day,” she said.

“Rosary gave me the confidence to be a leader, to contribute and share my knowledge,” Donna said. “Being in a Catholic school also gave me the opportunity to continue to grow in my faith- I always appreciated that religion and prayer were part of everything we did.”

“My daughters didn't have to go to Rosary—they chose it. I am glad they did because they both had a positive experience and would make the same choice again. A lot has changed at Rosary but it is still a place where girls can feel safe and comfortable being who they are.  That's what I wanted for them,” she said.

Cynthia (Gaul '72) Sperlakis is very pleased that her granddaughters Madalyn and Elizabeth have excelled at her alma mater. “I’m very proud of the paths they’ve taken and of the strong, determined young women they have become,” she said.

“My own favorite memories of Rosary are the traditions that continue such as the Candle Rose Ceremony, and the mother-daughter activities we had,” Cynthia said.

Sandra Galindo (‘93) is the mother of Abigail Mendez ('26). One of Sandra’s favorite activities was the annual Walk-a-thon. We walked at Blackberry Farm and girls competed to see who would finish first; it was always fun and ended with an all-school picnic. I am glad to see this tradition continuing!”

Special memories: “I vividly recall Candle Rose as my sister and I were partnered and our family came to watch,” she said. “As I prepared for Abby's Candle Rose ceremony, I could only imagine how proud our mom had been to see us together at the ceremony.”

“I knew while at Rosary that there was a difference in attending an all-girl high school, but the remarkable advantage became clear in college and beyond,” Sandra said. “The confidence in myself, my purpose, and faith were shaped during my time at Rosary and have continued to be the foundation to this day.”

“To say I am proud does not begin to describe the feelings I have as I look back at all Abby has accomplished during her time at Rosary, and how well-prepared she is for the next steps in college,” Sandra said. “I feel grateful to the faculty and staff who have upheld the Dominican Pillars and assisted her in classes, but mostly the genuine care and guidance she has received. Rosary is an extension of our family.”

Sarah (Edmeier ’98) Saltijeral is the mother of Peyton Saltijeral (’26) and Chloe Saltijeral (’20), as well as the daughter-in-law of Shelley (Reding ’70) Saltijeral.

Sarah’s favorite times at Rosary were playing volleyball and running track. “I am most thankful for the friendships I made,” she said. “There is a group of nine of us that have lived together over the years, been in each other’s weddings, raised our kids together, and still talk every week.” 

 “Rosary gave me a great academic foundation to succeed at the University of Illinois in a competitive nursing program,” she said.

 “It means the world to me to have my daughters graduate from Rosary,” Sarah said. “Peyton has made lifelong friendships and I know she is prepared for college. She is a confident young woman because of Rosary!”

Shelley (Reding ’70) Saltijeral, grandmother of Peyton and Chloe, reflected on her Rosary experiences in the school’s early years. “Rosary was so young when I started attending in 1966. “There were not many extra activities; mostly academic clubs, sock hops and dress-up dances. We had the Christmas formal, Daddy Daughter Dance, Turn About, and Junior/Senior Prom. The first school play was my junior year 1968/69.”

Shelley has special memories of founding principal Sr. Mary Joseph, chorus class with Sr. Dominica, and sewing class with Sr. Alberta. “I remember kneeling on the homeroom floor for skirt length checks on Friday mornings!”

 “Rosary taught me to do my best, to not give up, and to treat others with respect and kindness,” she said. “Always take time in your day to thank God for your day and blessings.”

 “I know that Rosary has prepared both Peyton and Chloe for what the future shall bring to them. They both know how to study, how to behave, and most of all that God loves them,” she said.

These Rosary families are not only continuing family tradition but expanding on that legacy by creating Rosary experiences of their own. At the core, however, are the Dominican Pillars of Prayer, Study, Community and Preaching!