Within these Walls...To Rosary on Your 60th Anniversary

I can hardly believe Rosary is turning 60! It's amazing to think about all the young women educated within its walls through the years – not just academically, but spiritually. Rosary prepares you not only for life, but service as well. 

When I look back on my years spent at 901 N. Edgelawn Drive, I was completely unaware of the impact lessons learned were being woven into my adult life ahead. The examples given through action by the faculty were a pattern of lifelong empathy and caring towards others through the eyes of God. Their patience and availability for guidance taught us how to be better people when faced with an often-time cold adult society. 

It seemed those wonderful sisters were able to see beyond our teenage façade and speak to the person within. I was recently speaking with one of my high school friends, Liz (Foote '77) Eastwood, about our time at Rosary. I feel like she summed up what the nuns were for us perfectly. She said; those sweet, caring women, they had no children of their own, we were their children. To think, when they went home at night, they thought about us and prayed for us, we were what was important to them. Think about that for a minute, for four years, we were their world. You can't get much more special than that. They prayed for us by name, counseled us, cried for us, and guided us. Their devotion was our first glimpse at mentorship, and a pathway to God. 

Not long ago I posted a picture of myself in a Rosary T-shirt on my Facebook wall. I had just come back from a weekend with three of my friends from high school. It was our annual trip we made to our friend's lake house. I was still reeling from the fun, late night talks, boating and togetherness. Along with the post I talked about my beautiful friends, and a relationship that had spanned 46 years. One of the remarks from a girl I had known in my high school years but did not attend Rosary, was – I always wanted to be a Rosary girl, you guys were all so cool. I had always known I was privileged to have had the Rosary experience, but at that moment I stopped, and thought two things. Number one, how great is it to still be referred to as a Rosary girl, 46 years later?  Secondly, there were actually other girls envious of what I had, and seemingly took  for granted at the time. In my family, Rosary was never an option, it was a given. Although I was pleased with the choice, I never thought other girls would be looking on wishing they could have gone to Rosary as well. What a gift we were all given in this place we called school. Once you have been a part of Rosary, you are part of a lifelong sisterhood. One that is hard to explain unless you have lived it. One so bound by love and laughter; it emulates pure joy. 

Looking back, I don’t recall the exact moment I knew Rosary’s values were always a part of me. Like snow in the spring, they would softly fall, touch me, and ultimately melt into who I was. There was no choice for my children but to live a life of service. They learned at a very young age that they were some of the fortunate ones. To that end, it was their honor in life to give back. Being raised in Elgin, they had plenty of opportunity to do so. And although they went to Catholic schools were caring for the marginalized was encouraged, it started in our home. I know that was so much of what I was given by the nuns and lay people that still spoke to my heart all of those years later.

Being a part of Rosary is not an indoctrination, but a viable way of life. One day while in the grocery store, I was wearing a Rosary shirt, and the woman behind me said; Did you go to Rosary? When I told her I had, I became keenly aware that I had a responsibility to the entire Rosary community to conduct myself in a kind and thoughtful manner. People notice! They notice the Rosary name, making it synonymous with Faith and service to the community. It is believed that its graduates are exceptional members of our community, and God’s community at large.

I may not remember every symbol on the periodic chart, or every geometric angle, but what I do remember is the extraordinary presence of sisterhood that surrounded me and does to this day. The compassion of the nuns who selflessly made me their child for four years. And the unwavering commitment to serve others in the face of God. 

Happy Birthday Rosary, thank you for making me a Rosary Girl.

Note: Although she always kept in touch with her Rosary friends, Teri reconnected with the school itself when she published a book about her journey through breast cancer, "A Thin Pink Ribbon." Read more here.  Throughout the 60th anniversary year, Teri and Liz (Foote '77) Eastwood, have been volunteering at Rosary, helping find photos for Flashback Fridays, and more.

Listen to the essay here: https://youtu.be/MoBchf6NgTU