As Rosary is celebrating its 60th anniversary, the Royals should get to know those who came before them. Alumna Kasia Givenrod ’02 told me about her experience at Rosary and the impact it has had on her life.
What was your experience at Rosary like?
“I had a wonderful high school experience! I was involved in sports (I played soccer and tennis), I got involved in groups/activities on campus like Campus Ministry and becoming a Kairos leader, I went to lots of dances and did tons of social activities, but the main lasting memories were, of course, what I learned. I learned academics that were so challenging and thorough that when I entered college, the courses felt too easy. I learned the kinds of women I wanted to surround myself with – many of whom are still my close friends today. I learned the confidence to command a room, how to start and finish a project, and how to work as a team and lead a team through Red & Gold. I think when I was a student at Rosary, I just thought I was having a great time and a ton of fun in high school. But really, I was experiencing things, both big and small, that would shape me into the woman I am today in very subtle ways. If I had to experience high school again, I would absolutely choose to do it at Rosary again.”
What are you doing now, and how can to Rosary contribute to it?
“Now, I am an Adapted Physical Education Specialist – I teach PE to students with gross motor delays in special education programs. I first learned to love the body and how it works in the Human Biology class I took my senior year. I also learned to love all different kinds of people when I took my intro to psychology class. I had my first experience volunteering for children with special needs because of Rosary. The meaningful service/volunteer opportunities paired with the content I had learned in my classes really created the foundation for the love of what I do now. I am also a public speaker, where I have the opportunity to speak at conferences and workshops and run training for future teachers. The confidence I have speaking in front of large groups is directly related to my experiences at Rosary. The all-girls environment did wonders for me in terms of providing an atmosphere where I could let down my guard, put myself out there, and really build my confidence in how I relate to people and speak to them – whether it’s 1 on 1, or in front of hundreds of strangers.”
Did you have a favorite year at Rosary? Why?
“I think my favorite year at Rosary was junior year. It was a year when I received my ring on Rosary Day, took my intro to psych class, which led to me being a psychology major, I became a Red & Gold captain, and I played 2 sports. It was a fantastic year filled with memories I still carry with me to this day.”
How many years did you win/lose Red & Gold?
“I was on the winning team all four years! I was on Red dance my freshman year, Gold drill my sophomore year, Gold historian captain my junior year, and Red props captain my senior year.”
Were you ever a captain for Red & Gold? If so, which captain were you?
“Yes, I was! In my junior year, I was a Gold Historian Captain – my job was to take photos of all the Gold team and then create a scrapbook that would then be on display in the lobby at the Servite theater for everyone to see. My senior year, I was a Red Props Captain, where, as part of our storyline, I created the Great Wall of China, Big Ben, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and made an airplane move across the stage. It was an amazing experience both times I was a captain!”
Did you have a favorite subject at Rosary? Why?
“I honestly don’t know if I had a consistent favorite subject. I think my enjoyment of my classes was directly related to the teacher. I loved various classes from all subject areas, mainly due to the teacher and the way they connected with me and the way they connected me to the content.”
Did you have a favorite teacher during your time at Rosary? Why?
“I definitely did, although she was never my teacher. Dr. Pautsch was the activities director even before I was a student at Rosary. When I was in 2nd grade at St. Juliana’s, my mom started working at Rosary as the assistant librarian, and so every day after school, I would walk up to Rosary, but instead of waiting in the library for my mom to get off work, I would go to “Miss Pautsch”‘s room. She was always so kind to me and helped me feel like a part of the Rosary community even when I was 7 years old. Then, when I became a freshman, I felt so lucky because Miss Pautsch was the cool/fun person on campus, and she already knew me. I was able to see her at dances, football games, and Red & Gold – all of the things that I have core memories about at Rosary have Miss Pautsch– sorry, Dr Pautsch– as a part of it. She’s pretty amazing!”
What college did you go to, and what did you get a degree in?
“I attended Cal Poly Pomona for all of my degrees. I have a Bachelor of Arts in psychology. I have an Adapted Physical Education Specialist credential. I have a physical education single-subject teaching credential. Finally, I have a Master of Science in kinesiology with an emphasis in adapted physical education.”
Rosary truly is an influential place and can make a major mark on your life. Here is a Royal reminder not to take these years for granted and take as much from them as you can because they go by very quickly.
