Rosary Academy | OC Catholic

EPISODE #115
CATHOLIC SPORTS VIEW: GUESTS ARE JILL HEGNA AND TOM TICE

Each week, Bob Gibson interviews coaches and players throughout the various Catholic high schools in Orange County.

Joining us this week on Catholic Sports View is Santa Margarita’s Jill Hegna, the coach of one of the best golf programs in the state. Then, we’ll check in with Tom Tice, the athletic director at Rosary Academy. We’ll talk about coming out of the pandemic; and, we’ll touch on all the great sports programs at the Trinity League’s only all-girls school.

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ON THE RISE

Prior to saying goodbye to the Class of 2021, several senior high school athletes were recognized this spring for their commitments to play college athletics.

At Santa Margarita Catholic High School, eight athletes across six sports signed collegiate letters of intent.

From the gridiron, Roman Sergi will be playing football for Wheaton College in Illinois, and Keanu Rebuldela-Kama is headed to the United States Military Academy at West Point.

The Eagles also saw two from their baseball program make commitments. Spencer Johnson committed to George Fox University, and Matt Flaharty will be playing at the University of Utah.

McKenna Bradley signed with UC Santa Barbara for track and field. Maya Robilio will be golfing for Sacred Heart University. Miles Fujimoto committed to Chapman University for swimming, and Kai Solomon will be playing lacrosse for Tufts University.

“These student athletes have persevered through so much, remained upbeat and positive and have weathered one of the craziest storms,” said former Santa Margarita Assistant Athletic Director, Sean Zeitler. “We are just so proud of them and their families and look forward to seeing what they do in the future.”

From Mater Dei High School, Sebastian Guzman is headed to Washington University in St. Louis for baseball, and teammate Brenden Morris committed to Colorado Mesa University. Soccer players Ceanna Doria and Abigail Hampton have both signed with Southern Methodist University (SMU). Golfer Lauren Calvillo signed with Trinity College. Nick Hoffmeyer will be playing volleyball for Concordia University Irvine. Cheerleaders Kaitlyn Bujajowski and Angelique Vasquez are headed to Rutgers University and Morehead State University, respectively. Samantha Sloan committed to Chapman University for track and field, and Tait Vigeland will be running cross country for the University of Portland.

JSerra Catholic High School saw 11 of their senior athletes make college commitments. Addison Barrette will be playing rugby for the University of Arizona. Women’s lacrosse player Shelby Blanchart will be attending Western New England University, and men’s lacrosse player Jacob Bledsoe signed with Calvin University.

From the soccer pitch, Max Carvalho committed to UC San Diego, and Connor Walcott is headed to the United States Naval Academy. Ashley Craig will be playing sand volleyball for DeSales University. Tennis player Kaley Houshmand signed with Westmont College. Fencer Sarah Lacson is headed to Cornell University. Jeff Muller will be playing water polo for LMU. Alex Stein signed to play basketball for Bethesda University, and golfer Heejo Hyun is headed to Emory University.

“These student athletes have risen beyond our expectations and driven themselves to thrive, when the message heard from many directions has been to survive,” said JSerra Athletic Director, Chris Ledyard. “And thrive is what they have done.”

At Rosary Academy, five athletes signed letters of intent to play at the collegiate level. Water polo players Alexys Puche is headed to Whittier College, Mia Solorzano committed to LMU and Nicole Salerno signed with Iona College. Lacrosse player Alli Mitts is also headed to Whittier College and soccer player Kate Goggins will play for Boston College.

Servite High School recognized 12 of their senior athletes who made college commitments. From the baseball diamond, Carlos Rodriguez is headed to Northern Vermont University, and PJ Wendler will play for Claremont McKenna. Football running back Kyle Bandy signed with the University of La Verne, and defensive end Ben Florentine committed to the University of Wyoming.

Three athletes from the Friars’ soccer program made commitments including Denzel Barrientos, who will play for Hope International University, while Jesus Melgoza, is headed to LMU and Justin Nodarse signed with Concordia University Irvine.

Three of Servite’s volleyball athletes committed to continue their playing careers. Matthew Albano committed to Hiram College, Colin Ryan committed to UC Merced and Peter Selcho signed with UC San Diego.

Rounding out the Friars’ signing group is basketball player Andrew Cook who is headed to Carroll College and lacrosse player Bryton Hickok who signed with the University of Tampa.

We couldn’t be prouder of this group of young men,” said Servite Athletic Director, Alan Clinton. “In a year that brought so many twists and turns, each of these talented student athletes overcame the obstacles in front of them and achieved their dream of playing at the next level, a feat that was made even harder by the COVID-19 pandemic. The grit and determination they showed is inspiring. On behalf of the Servite Athletic department, we wish them the best of luck as they take the next steps in becoming the men God called them to be.”

GRADUATING WITH GRACE

A typical rite of passage each spring for high school seniors, graduation ceremonies this year have taken on unique forms in light of limitations due to COVID-19. As such, high schools across Orange County have come up with various solutions to recognize their graduates and celebrate this significant accomplishment, ranging from drive-thru parades, to drive-in ceremonies, to online celebrations.

With some careful planning, Rosary Academy was able to hold an in-person graduation ceremony last month for the Royal’s Class of 2020.

The ceremony took place in its traditional location on the campus lawn, with a revised configuration to allow for social distancing.

An event that typically sees close to 1,000 people in attendance, graduates were limited to only their parents as in-person guests this year, but the school provided a livestream of the ceremony for other family members and friends to experience.

There were 76 graduates who participated in the July 17 celebration, not including a few Royals who had returned to their home countries or had already left the area due to United States military commissioning.

Each attendee was screened prior to entry, and all guests were required to wear face coverings, including the graduates, who donned matching Rosary-themed masks. Photos were not allowed pre- or post-ceremony, but the school staff set up decorations in the week preceding the event, allowing the seniors and their families to take photos at three different backdrop areas during prearranged time slots.

The ceremony itself was limited in length but did feature three of the Class of 2020’s top graduates as speakers. Valedictorian Kloey Reyes, along with salutatorians Bryn Boznanski and Julia Toth, addressed their fellow classmates, with sanitization of the podium taking place in between speeches.

In lieu of the traditional handshake and diploma presentation, each senior walked across the stage to pick up her diploma from a designated table.

“We’re basically trying to get the students in and out, as quickly and with the least amount of contact as possible,” said Rosary Academy Director of Activities Nicola Huerta.

Despite all of the revisions and accommodations made to meet local safety requirements, the ceremony did feature one of the most memorable traditions of a Rosary Academy graduation – the procession of the graduates from the second story of the campus down to the lawn, clad in all white caps and gowns, each carrying a single red rose.

Additionally, the night prior to the event featured the Baccalaureate Mass, where Bishop Vann was in attendance. The Mass, which was also available through a livestream, concluded with Senior Awards, where students received recognition for outstanding achievement in a variety of areas.

“It’s a special way where they can all come together, as a class, one last time, to celebrate one another,” said Huerta.

While graduation in 2020 may not have looked like years past, this ceremony took on special meaning for the graduates and their families. Grateful for the chance to gather in person to celebrate, the Rosary community was patient and supportive as the school worked tirelessly to give the seniors the memorable send-off they deserved.

“I think our community is so ecstatic that we are having this for them,” says Huerta. “They feel blessed that we are still having an actual in-person event. There’s been so many disappointments for this year, so for them to be able to at least have this ceremony, it’s kind of a sense of closure for them. It’s a tradition for every school, but for Rosary, it’s a very special moment.”

ROSARY ACADEMY SENIOR HONORED AT RICHARD NIXON LIBRARY

KeQin Chen, a Rosary Academy senior, took a key part at a private art exhibit held at the Richard Nixon Library in Yorba Linda earlier this fall.

When creating the art, Chen hoped that her work would raise public awareness on animal welfare and environmental protection. Chen’s art collection was entitled “The Sound of Nature” because she said, “animals are part of nature and all living creatures are deserved to be respected and loved.”

Chen was recognized by community leaders for her work. In attendance were Rosary Academy principal, Sean Basford. Chen raised money from the sale of her work and donated it to nonprofits she supports, including a $2,000 check and two original paintings to her high school.

“We are most grateful to KeQin for sharing her talent for the benefit of so many. She is the embodiment of ‘serving the dear neighbor without distinction,’” stated the school.

A LOCAL ABROAD

When Rosary Academy graduate Louise Kooiman (’17) heard about “Coach for College” – a program where athletes from United States universities spend three weeks coaching sports and teaching in rural Vietnam – she was all in. That doesn’t surprise her high school volleyball coach Filip Tomicic, who still recalls Kooiman as one of the best leaders they ever had in the volleyball program. 

In June of this year, Kooiman spent three weeks of her summer vacation from the University of South Carolina coaching volleyball and teaching math in Hau Giang Provence, Vietnam, a rural area in the Mekong Delta south of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Teaming up with Vietnamese college students who also translated, Kooiman and her colleagues from universities across the U.S. coached Vietnamese middle school students. 

According to its website, Coach for College is an international service-learning program that brings together U.S. student-athletes and Vietnamese university students. Together they teach academics, sports and life skills at summer camps to disadvantaged children in rural Vietnam. Founded in 2008, the program includes U.S. college athletes from 40 universities participating in 26 sports. Vietnamese college students hail from 30 universities in Vietnam. The program is currently only in Vietnam, but plans to expand to other countries.

Kooiman coached beach volleyball, something she has excelled at since high school where she was Rosary’s volleyball team captain. She continues to be a part of the University of South Carolina beach volleyball team, which, in her freshman year, placed sixth in the national beach volleyball competition. 

 The eighth and ninth graders she met in Southeast Asia had little experience with the sport. “We worked with them on both the technique and the rules of the game,” recalls Kooiman. Some of them had played informally before, but there are no volleyball leagues in Vietnam, so we were really teaching the basics. “They all loved the game, even though learning could be frustrating at times. All in all, they had a blast,” Kooiman said. She hopes that the camp will encourage the sport to grow and that eventually leagues will develop.

Every Friday the various teams met for a friendly tournament for competition experience, but it was all for fun. In addition to coaching, Kooiman also taught mathematics as the student coaches are required to teach an academic course as well as a sport.

A big part of Coach for College is encouraging middle-school teens to continue their academics. This is a time when many of them drop out, so the program is geared to establish strong role models from not only the foreign students but also the Vietnamese college students to encourage the youth to pursue education and athletics. The children gain motivation to stay in school, knowledge and tools to succeed in both the classroom and life, as well as a strong, new confidence in their individual value and personal potential.

The thirteen- and fourteen-year-olds come from schools throughout the region, giving them an opportunity to form bonds with their peers.

Coach for College was founded by student athletes at Duke University and the University of North Carolina to give athletes the opportunity to share their athletic and academic skills in a powerful program that enriches all the participants’ lives. While study abroad programs are a common part of the college experience, there are very few programs that provide college athletes to share their athletic skill as a cross-cultural experience. 

Soccer, volleyball, field hockey, diving and tennis are the most popular sports but the program includes a wide variety of sports, including Nordic skiing.  

Kooiman, a Fullerton resident, says that Rosary prepared her by giving her the confidence to speak up, collaborate with others and the courage to work out of her comfort zone. Coach Filip would second that opinion. “Louise is a leader on many levels, she was captain of the volleyball team – but she has a much bigger purpose for her life. She goes above and beyond in everything she takes on and I know she will continue to lead with great energy and heart.”

Kooiman is about to enter her junior year at the University of South Carolina, majoring in mid-level education with an emphasis on math and science. She chose to travel 2,400 miles from home to the Palmetto state for her college years, “because I was looking to experience something new and the university gave me that opportunity along with so much more. I felt at home with the campus, my team, coaches, and a school that is filled with pride.”

ATHLETE PROFILE: NATALIE TINKLER

Not unlike most young children in Orange County, Natalie Tinkler began playing soccer through AYSO at the age of four. 

“I tried softball and t-ball, but I was not good at that,” says Tinkler. “So my parents had me play soccer, because all little kids play soccer. I fell in love with it. The competition and being on the team… I was just having a good time.”

The Rosary Academy senior plays defender for the Royals and enjoys being in the role of backing up her team when they need her. Playing soccer alongside her classmates brings a unique level of camaraderie that adds to her love for the game.

“At Rosary…you’re playing with a family that is more than just your team,” says Tinkler. “There is so much more bonding with friends who are family.”

The rush that comes with being competitive is a large part of what Tinkler looks forward to in each match. As a captain, the 17-year-old is a motivator and encourager, and she aims to keep her teammates working together as a unit towards the common goal of a CIF championship.

“Natalie is an absolute warrior,” says Rosary soccer head coach, Sean Melendez. “She is as tough as they come. She loves her teammates and would do anything for them. Natalie leads by example, and she is a great example of Rosary on and off the field.”

Over her years competing, Tinkler has struggled with nerves while she plays, but working with her coaches and the supportive environment at Rosary has been influential in helping her build more confidence.

“I think soccer has helped me be more tenacious in my work, and to never give up and keep fighting,” says Tinkler. “You’re going to hit bumps in the road in your life…but you have to get up and keep moving forward.”

Outside of athletics, Tinkler serves as a volunteer at St. Jude Medical Center in their PACU department. Additionally, she enjoys being a part of Rosary’s Campus Ministry, where she is integral in the behind-the-scenes aspects of the school’s mass. The intersection of faith and sports allows for the team to support each other in all areas of student life.

“Faith can help calm you down when you get into those intense moments,” says Tinkler. “Within the team, the faith that you share together…can be used to help each other. Overall, it helps the team because if one of us is playing better, we all play better.”

The La Habra resident hopes to continue playing soccer in college and has future plans to become an OBGYN. She draws inspiration from her older sister, Cassandra, as well as Melendez and the coaching staff.

“They’re my role models because they never give up on me,” says Tinkler. “They never give up on the team. It helps me and reminds me that I have to believe too.”

ATHLETE PROFILE: ISABELLA TEJEDA

Isabella Tejeda began her youth sports journey as a soccer player, but when she was six years old, she found a love for tennis and transitioned from the pitch to the court.

“It was because of my dad,” says Tejeda of her start in tennis. “He loved to watch tennis. He never played, but he wanted to be a coach. I started playing when I was six…and I’ve been playing ever since. It’s been an amazing journey so far.”

The three-year varsity player and rising senior at Rosary Academy is a singles player for the Royals and finds joy in the community of a mostly individual sport.

“We are always on a team, and you get to know your opponent,” says the 17-year-old. “The love for the sport comes from how long you’ve been playing, and since I’ve been playing for more than half my life, it’s been a great experience.”

Tejeda knows that players from a smaller all-girls school such as Rosary can sometimes be underestimated, so she loves to step out onto the court and prove the doubters wrong. With that, comes the challenge of managing the emotional ups and downs of competition.

“When you’re playing singles and you’re alone, if you make one mistake, depending on who you are, it can crush you,” says Tejeda. “I’ve had to deal with that, and it can be hard. But praying before, it really helps me get through a match.”

As the Yorba Linda resident approaches her final high school season this fall, Rosary head tennis coach Debbie Simonton continues to be impressed with Tejeda’s performance, not only on the court, but also in the classroom and the community.

“Isabella has evolved into a tenacious powerful singles player that attacks every match with confidence and a will to win,” says Simonton. “I never count her out of any set, as she has the ability to dig deep and come back, even if she is late into a match. She has grown both as a player and a young lady, and she has been a pleasure to coach. Her senior leadership and positive energy will be key to our team’s success this season.”

Her commitment to the community is seen through her Girl Scout Gold Award project called “Read a Story, Change a Life.” In partnership with Higher Ground Youth & Family Services, the literacy program inspires elementary students to become lifelong readers.

Tejeda’s future plans include becoming a pediatrician alongside continuing to play the sport she loves. She is grateful for her parents and the support of the many coaches along her tennis journey. Her faith has provided a foundation for growth and confidence.

“Before each match, I know that I have God with me,” says Tejeda. “It’s helped me get through everything that we’ve done, because even in the tough times, I’ve always had him with me.”

ROSARY ACADEMY SENIOR RECEIVES DISNEYLAND DREAMERS & DOERS LUMINARY AWARD

Rosary Academy senior Nicole Garcia received the Disneyland Dreamers & Doers Luminary award. Representatives from Disney Resort presented Nicole with a $1,000 grant for Rosary, a $3,000 grant for a nonprofit of her choice, and an $11,000 college scholarship.

Garcia’s mother, Florlin, was secretly invited to the assembly to watch her daughter receive the top prize of the Dreamers & Doers program. More than 250 students were recognized by the program for their impact on their communities, with prizes ranging from theme park tickets to college scholarships. Only five students received the top “Luminary” status.

Garcia volunteers once a week in the Surgical Playroom of Children’s Hospital of Orange County, introducing fun, laughter, and excitement into the lives of young patients. She has also been named as the valedictorian for the Class of 2019.

Garcia is a graduate of St. Justin Martyr School in Anaheim. She plans to attend the UCLA School of Nursing in the fall. 

EPISODE#5
CATHEDRAL SQUARE: TODAY’S GUEST IS TRUDY MAZZARELLA, DIRECTOR OF TOUR MINISTRY AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL

On today’s podcast, Fr. Christopher Smith welcomes one of the first people you’re likely to see when you walk onto the campus of Christ Cathedral, Trudy Mazzarella.

In addition to being the former president of Rosary Academy in Fullerton, Trudy serves today as the Director of Tour Ministry at Christ Cathedral.

Listen in to this very engaging discussion; and, share it with a friend!

Originally broadcast on 5/18/19

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A NIGHT TO SHINE

Rosary Academy hosted its first-ever dance for people with special needs, ages 14 and older. “A Night to Shine” was held on Friday, April 26, from 6-8 pm in at the Karcher Center. The event was hosted in collaboration with Rising Against Disabilities (RAD) Camp and Down Syndrome Association of Orange County (DSAOC). 

We are hoping this will be an annual event and the start of a larger partnership, since many of our current students and alumnae get involved with the organization outside of the prom,” said Kristie Rueff O’Campo, Rosary’s director of advancement.

The Down Syndrome Association of Orange County is an organization based in Costa Mesa. It creates a place for families where they can find connection, information, hope, and empowerment. DSAOC believes in community collaboration as they seek to increase awareness surrounding Down syndrome, change perceptions, and ultimately change lives.

RAD Camp is a volunteer-run nonprofit organization for children and adults with developmental disabilities. Founded by Katie Webb Brundige, a Rosary Academy alumna, and Meghan Clem, a Santa Margarita Catholic High School alumna, RAD camp is now one of the largest overnight camps for individuals with disabilities in California.

 Webb Brundige shared, “Rosary stepping up to put on a dance for our campers is so RAD, literally. Our campers love to dance and be with their friends, and Rosary giving them an opportunity to party with their peers, and their caregivers a ‘night off,’ is a blessing to these families. This dance will be a highlight of their year and something we are excited to implement into the RAD Camp family.  We know the smiles on their faces are going to be huge walking into this night.”

 RAD Camp volunteers focus on each person’s ability, not disability. Activities and programs encourage fun, independence, and growth from its participants.  

“Meghan’s dedicated service to others through RAD Camp is a remarkable illustration of our charism of Caritas Christi – the love of Christ – in action. Her example as an alumna is a profound statement to our current students about how you can make a positive social impact in our local community while also being a successful businesswoman and a loving mother,” said Ian Rangel, director of alumni relations at Santa Margarita Catholic High School.

Pope Francis encouraged the faithful to foster a welcoming place for differently abled individuals. Greater awareness, he said, leads to “the espousal of courageous positions for the inclusion of those who live with various forms of handicap, so that no one should feel like a stranger.”

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