Rosary Holds Candle Rose Honors Convocation

Rosary High School held its traditional Candle Rose Honors Convocation on May 16 in the school auditorium. The evening began with a candlelit entrance by the seniors and singing of The Dominican Blessing.

Sister Geraldine Kemper, OP, Rosary’s Dean of Women, began the evening with prayer, as we begin all things. Next, Elizabeth Saloga, Student Council President, addressed her classmates.

Margaret Seraphin was announced as class Valedictorian, and Lauren Audrey Paschoud as class Salutatorian.

Five seniors were named Catherine of Siena Scholars. To earn this designation, students must possess a minimum of a 4.25 weighted GPA, must have completed 15 Honors-level or higher courses, completed a 4- year sequence in 3 subject areas, and possess exemplary service, discipline, and attendance records. The 2023 Catherine of Siena Scholars are: Reegan Barr, Macey DeMoss, Josephine Jarmuz, Lauren Audrey Paschoud, and Margaret Seraphin.

Three Rosary students earned recognition as National Merit Commended Students, based on their performance on the October  2021 PSAT/NMSQT. Commended students are among the 50,000 highest scorers in the nation.  Rosary’s National Merit Commended Students are Josephine Jarmuz, Lauren Audrey Paschoud, and Margaret Seraphin. 

Illinois State Scholars are recognized each year by the State of Illinois as graduating seniors who possess superior academic potential, as determined by standardized test scores and their sixth semester GPA.  These students represent the top 10 percent of graduating seniors in Illinois.  Rosary’s 2023 Illinois State Scholars are: Reegan Barr, Sophia Cousins, Macey DeMoss, Josephine Jarmuz, Alexandra Kackert, Lauren Audrey Paschoud, Alyssa Rios, Ellie Schubert, Margaret Seraphin, Grace Stumm, Mia Szilage, and Cecilia Vietti.

The Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy is a recognition given by the State of Illinois to high school seniors who have studied and can exhibit the ability to communicate in two or more languages (including English) by their senior year of high school.  This year, the Seal of Biliteracy has been awarded to Macey DeMoss, Megan Lanan, Grace Loy, Mary Rose Regan, Alyssa Rios, Jacqueline Salamanca, Ellie Schubert, and Margaret Seraphin for proficiency in Spanish, and Lauren Audrey Paschoud for proficiency in French.  Receiving Commendations for their work in Spanish are Carenna Blackwell, Ana Hathaway, Grace Stumm, Mia Szilage, and Cecilia Vietti.

Senior members of the Rosary Chapter of the National Honor Society received their gold tassels for graduation: Reegan Barr, Sophia Cousins, Macey DeMoss, Cassidy Eddy, Josephine Jarmuz, Alexandra Kackert, Kayla Montes, Lauren Audrey Paschoud, Alyssa Rios, Ellie Schubert, Margaret Seraphin, Grace Stumm, Mia Szilage, and Cecilia Vietti. 

Margaret Seraphin was presented with the Outstanding Young Woman in Chemistry Award from the Iota Sigma Phi National Honor Society for Women in Chemistry. 
 
Campus Minister Mrs. Emily Delaney presented the St. Timothy Award to three graduating seniors: Eve Gilla, Alex Kackert, and Lauren Audrey Paschoud. Three underclassmen received this award as well, and other seniors received recognition from their parishes.

Audrie Schaubel was presented with the Dr. Lucile Gustafson Scholarship from Mary Greenwood, Director of Student Financial Aid Services at Waubonsee Community College. This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition for two academic years. as well as activity and service fees.

Eight Rosary seniors earned scholarship from the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley, presented by Erica Hagen. Scholarships were earned by Bethany Beltz, Sophia Cousins, Emma Hess, Alexandra Kackert, Daniela Magana, Lauren Audrey Paschoud, Ellie Schubert, and Margaret Seraphin.

Senior Class President Julia Gatto introduced the Candle Rose Ceremony. In this traditional ceremony, the members of the Junior class (and younger sisters of current seniors) will offer a rose to a senior in exchange for a lighted candle. The rose signifies new life for the graduating senior and the candle is symbolic of passing the torch on to the younger students. The name of each senior was announced with her college of attendance.

Following the ceremony, the seniors sang their senior song, “Count on Me” by Bruno Mars.

The cover artwork for the 2023 Candle Rose Program was created by Anna Swiatek.

See a gallery of award photos on Facebook

Most photos by VIP Photography