ROSARY ACADEMY, AN all-girls Catholic high school, proudly announces the honorees for the school’s 60th anniversary gala to be held on Sept. 13.
ROSARY ACADEMY STUDENTS CIRCA 1975. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ROSARY ACADEMY
The honorees, who have impacted Rosary for decades, have demonstrated remarkable dedication, leadership and service, embodying the core values of faith, service, community and sisterhood that Rosary strives to instill in its students. The anniversary celebration, a cherished tradition that happens every five years, celebrates the achievements of the honorees and also highlights Rosary’s commitment to nurturing young women who will lead with integrity and compassion.
ROSARY ACADEMY STUDENTS CIRCA 1969.
The 2025 honorees are the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, Cathie Lentz Fryer ’76 and Katie Webb Brundige ’03.
The Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange have partnered with Rosary since the school’s founding. The sisters live a charism of unity, reconciliation and service to the “dear neighbor without distinction.” Rosary adopted this charism as its guiding mission and endeavors to teach students to live by the values that flow from it.
Sr. JoAnn Tabor arrived on campus as a literature teacher in 1968, the same year the Rosary main building opened.
ROSARY ACADEMY WILL HONOR ITS 60TH ANNIVERSARY WITH A GALA TO BE HELD ON SEPT. 13
“There were probably nine of us sisters there at that time,” she shared. “We were young, and we had a lot of energy. It was fun being with the students and working with them to set new traditions.”
Sr. JoAnn Tabor recently attended a 50th class reunion and talked with some of her former students.
“I couldn’t believe they came up and said they loved English,” she added. “They said the foundation was so good. The quality of education started way back then and really continues today. They’re serious about their studies.”
Sr. JoAnn Eannareno was a math and religion teacher, coach, dean and then principal. She prioritized getting to know the students as individuals. She took on yard duty at lunch as a way to casually visit and see the students in their friendship groups. Sr. JoAnn Eannareno is still in touch with former students and attends reunions.
“The greatest thing is to see what they’re doing,” she said. “They’re wonderful. The whole thing about the dear neighbor without distinction – they’re doing it. It’s amazing to me that while we didn’t preach it a whole lot, somehow, they picked it up.”
Cathie Lentz Fryer ’76 is president of CTA Travel and said her years at Rosary laid the foundation of who she is today.
“The lifelong friendships, the freedom to be who you were; Rosary empowered me,” Cathie said.
As a student, Fryer was involved in the Girls Athletic Association and took on many other leadership roles. As Social Chair her senior year, Fryer oversaw Mother-Daughter, Father-Daughter and Red & Gold. She received the Royalette Award when she graduated. After graduation, she served on the alumnae board, attended Red Wine & Gold (Rosary’s premiere auction) and Red & Gold performances. She was a very involved parent while her daughter Stephanie, who graduated in 2004, was a student.
“Rosary did lay the foundation of who I am today,” Cathie said. “The ability of young women to be in leadership roles is precious and something you can’t replace.”
Katie Webb Brundige ’03 is a co-founder of Intertwined Inc., a company specializing in event production, social media marketing and room block management. In 2014, Katie and business partner Meghan Clem also started Rising Above Disabilities Camp (RAD) for people of any age with a disability. RAD Camp provides inspiring summer camp experiences for children and adults with developmental disabilities.
“Although I didn’t realize it at the time,” said Brundige, “I think my participation in the Rosary Day Committee, Red and Gold as a captain and Kairos as a leader all helped me in more ways than I could have imagined. Each of them allowed me to learn very important leadership skills, as well as taught me a lot about project management and event planning. I didn’t realize that I was inching my way forward to running a hospitality company.”
She was introduced to volunteering in the special needs community during her junior year religion class.
“That summer,” she said, “I signed up to volunteer at a summer camp for adults with special needs and I haven’t missed a summer since. So many amazing things in my life started in those years at Rosary.”
Rosary’s last anniversary gala was in 2015, so the school community is excited to gather and celebrate the only all-girls school in Orange County and the remarkable legacy created by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange and Rosary alumnae. We welcome everyone to join us on Saturday, Sept. 13, at 6 p.m. at the JW Marriott to celebrate the past, present and future of our beloved Rosary! www.rosaryacademy.org/celebrating60