Meet the 2022 Rosary Day scholarship recipients!

Photo Credit: Rosary Academy

Gathyuh Garcia ’24 (left), Cali Gomez ’23 (middle), and Nia Delacruz ’24 (right) on Rosary Day 2022.

Layla Valenzuela, Copy Editor

This past Friday, the Royal community celebrated our beloved tradition, Rosary Day. After the beautiful mass, Mrs. O’Campo ’02 and a member of the Faley family took to the stage and announced the two scholarships: the Lauri Chiaretta Memorial Scholarship and the Kathleen Faley Memorial Scholarship.

Mrs. O’Campo named the Lauri Chiaretta Scholarship recipient as Senior Cali Gomez, and the Faley family named the two Kathleen Faley Scholarship recipients as Juniors Gathyah Garcia and Nia Delacruz.

I asked all three scholarship recipients the following three questions:

What does receiving this scholarship mean to you?

What are your plans for the future (college and beyond)?

What was your favorite memory from Rosary Day?

Cali Gomez ’23 posing with her mother after receiving the Lauri Chiaretta scholarship. (Photo Provided by: Engelynne Gomez)

Here are their answers!

Cali Gomez ’23:

I am just so thankful for this scholarship. I’m honored that the Chiaretta family feels that I am deserving of such an amazing gift. This scholarship will help me and my family put money towards my college tuition, especially because I have two younger siblings who also plan on attending college.

My plan is to go to college in Boston and from there go into something design-based, preferably engineering or architecture. I’ve always been very interested in both science and art, and with these two majors, I am able to explore both sides of me. My favorite memory from Rosary Day was hanging out at Disneyland with my friends! Rosary Day has always been special to me and receiving this scholarship made my last one truly special!

 

Gathyah Garcia ’24:

Gathyah Garcia (left) smiling with fellow Junior Julia Watson after their Rosary Day ceremony. (Photo Provided by: Gathyuh Garcia ’24)

Receiving this scholarship meant a lot not only to me but to my family as well. Growing up in such a big family, my parents sacrificed so much for my siblings and I to have the opportunity to receive an education they did not get to receive. My parents are two of the most hard-working people I know. So finally being able to give back to them and make them proud has made me happy.

My plans for the future are to attend college. I have not decided yet where I’d like to attend, but I would like to possibly start a career in the fashion industry or become a physical therapist. Yes, these are two completely different things but these are two things that I truly enjoy since I adore being surrounded by kids and love expressing how I feel through my outfits.

I have always been the little sister in my family so finally becoming an older sister and upper-class woman is a big deal to me. I was glad that my sister Luz Garcia ’22 was able to present me with my ring because I will follow in her footsteps so that I can help guide our underclasswomen with patience and leadership.

 

Nia Delacruz ’24:

Nia Delacruz ’24 receiving her scholarship on Rosary Day. (Photo Provided by: Nia Delacruz ’24)

Receiving this scholarship really means a lot to me and my family, because it ensures that I will be able to continue my education at Rosary Academy until I graduate. It is also a tremendous help for my parents since they pay for my tuition and the tuition of my two other siblings.

I want to begin my path to becoming a doctor so that I can help other people and continue to touch lives in a positive way.

Rosary Day is super special to me because it is one of the most important and memorable milestones of my life and my fellow junior sisters’ lives. It felt really special to walk up with my sister, Trinity Delacruz ’22, and have her present my ring to me. I don’t get to see my sister as often since she’s in college now, so it meant a lot to have her as my presenter. I was also happy to see my friends from the Class of 2022 that I have not been able to see for a while. Overall, I made so many memories with my family and friends on Rosary Day that I will remember and cherish forever.

 

We, as the Rosary community, are so excited to see what the future holds for these intelligent young ladies! Be sure to send your congratulations when you see them in the halls!