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June 2026

Rosary Academy Celebrate First Third-Generation Graduates
By: Jennifer (Kanne) Seaton ‘97

Rosary Academy’s first third-generation students graduated in 2026, marking a special milestone for families and spotlighting the loyalty the school inspires. The intergenerational families point to the traditions like Red and Gold and the connection with the brotherhood of Servite that have anchored the Rosary experience for decades. The campus has also largely remained the same through the generations but all of the alumnae are eager for the upcoming new building that will grow the campus in many ways. Rosary links these families, with girls growing up hearing stories from their mothers, aunts and grandmothers and then arriving on campus feeling like they have always belonged there. 

Alicia Vallejo graduated in 1999 and her mom Edna Chavez graduated in 1981. Her daughter Isabella is part of the class of 2026. Alicia says Rosary gave each of them a strong sense of sisterhood and was instrumental in setting the stage for developing her voice and confidence while on campus. She says the all-girls atmosphere was key for her because she entered as a shy freshman who would have been quiet and reserved in class with boys. “With a classroom that was only girls, I felt much more confident to be vocal; it definitely shaped who I am,” Alicia says. “I decided I wanted to go into business management and lead other people. The foundation was started for me at Rosary.”

Alicia’s daughter Isabella entered Rosary already confident and grew into a self-assured leader unafraid of new challenges. Isabella honed her leadership skills in ASB, clubs and by being part of Rosary’s inaugural flag football team. “I know she’s definitely developed relationships and friends she’ll have for a lifetime,” Alicia says. Red and Gold is an experience that all three generations share and Alicia and her mom Edna enjoyed going to see Isabella’s performances. 

Head of School Dr. Shawna Pautsch also links the two most recent generations. Alicia recalls touring Rosary before Isabella enrolled. “I saw her (Dr. Pautsch) and she gave me a big hug and knew exactly who I was.”  Alicia remembers being a student on ASB and working with Dr. Pautsch, who was then Activities Director. Alicia recalls Dr. Pautsch as a positive role model and says it was a full circle moment to realize that her daughter would also have Dr. Pautsch as a school leader. 

Alicia says the teachers and their relationships with students have always separated Rosary from other high schools. She remembers Mrs. Woodward bringing history to life and her French teacher Madame Pearce staying in touch even after retirement and sending Alicia a silk scarf from France for her graduation. 

Alicia’s mother Edna sent her children to Servite and Rosary even though it was a significant financial sacrifice because she and her husband valued Catholic education. “I had a good experience at Rosary myself and I feel like a Catholic education in high school is especially important. It was a great education with close-knit relationships.” Both sides of her family had historically sent students to Rosary and she was glad to continue to do the same.

Being part of the traditions of Red and Gold and Rosary Day are what makes Rosary stand out among other Catholic schools, Edna says. Those fun, unique events have been a constant through the years. While being on campus with her granddaughter, Edna noticed the same lockers from years ago and also the student friendships that seemed as strong as she remembered them. 

Mary Walswick Murphy graduated in 2000, her mom was part of the first full four-year graduating class in 1976, and her daughter graduated this year. Mary grew up going to St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Placentia and went to a summer school class at the local co-ed public high school. After the first day of class, Mary went to her mom and said she did not want to go there for high school. She had walked into her class and taken a seat and a boy had come up to her and said she was in his seat. Obviously, no one had a claim to a seat since it was the first day of classes so she said no, she was not moving and went home and told her mom that she was going to go to Rosary. Even though Mary was already destined for Rosary, that incident solidified her desire to go. 

Mary describes the social scene while she was at Rosary as very healthy. She entered with many friends from her Catholic elementary school but was a shy and quiet student. She expanded her social circle once she got to Rosary. She would eat lunch with one group of friends one day and another group the next day.  “Anytime I tell people about Rosary, I tell them that Red and Gold is the thing that changes everything,” Mary says. Red and Gold is an opportunity to try new things and develop camaraderie among new groups of girls.

By the time she graduated, Mary was assertive and ready for college. Her father was in a car accident and diagnosed with cancer before she started college, so Murphy adjusted her plan to stay close to home and help her mother with her eight younger siblings. “I was able to navigate a lot of things most of my classmates didn’t have to think about. I was working and going to school and had to figure out financial aid on my own. I really do think Rosary set me up to able to do all of that.” Mary credits a Rosary counselor who reached out to her after her dad’s diagnosis and invited her to come in and talk, even though she had already graduated. Mary says having that outlet was incredibly valuable. 

Mary Murphy’s daughter Claire Murphy is part of the class of 2026. She grew up hearing about Rosary as a place to develop strong friendships and that proved true for her. She met friends her freshman year and they soon promised to have each other as bridesmaids in their future weddings. Her close friend from Rosary will be her college roommate in the fall at Cal State San Marcos. Claire thinks that Rosary students are more close-knit than ever now. “You could just walk down the hall and say hi to anyone,” she says. 

Even though Claire had a large extended family precede her at Rosary, she says she never thought much about being a third-generation Royal until close to graduation. She sat next to Isabella Vallejo in oceanography class and they realized in chatting that they were both third-generation students. 

Claire always knew she was going to go to Rosary. When she was younger, she visited her uncle, who was teaching at Rosary, in his classroom and loved the environment and seeing the older girls who appeared cool and confident. This year, Red and Gold and everyday lunchtime were her favorite experiences. Red and Gold was sentimental because it was her last year and lunch was fun because there were so many laughs with friends. “I think it shows how good of an experience it is actually to have it go through several generations.”

May 2026

Rosary Academy Receives $5,000 FMB Foundation Grant to Expand Student Service Initiatives

Rosary Academy is proud to share that the school has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Farmers and Merchant Bank (FMB) Foundation’s 2026 Education Grant Program—a recognition of Rosary’s ongoing commitment to forming young women of faith, purpose, and service.

The FMB Foundation, honoring the legacy of founder C.J. Walker, continues its mission to uplift Southern California communities through meaningful investment in education. This year’s program highlights organizations that are shaping tomorrow’s leaders by placing learning and service at the core of their work.

Rosary will dedicate the unrestricted grant to the freshman and sophomore service projects, expanding opportunities for students to live out the school’s charism of serving “the dear neighbor without distinction.”

The heart of Rosary’s impact is best expressed by its students. In her reflection for the Foundation’s grant program, student Bella Ramirez ‘26 wrote:

“As a part of Rosary’s Campus Ministry program, I have been able to experience retreats, lead younger students, and walk with my classmates through transformative moments… Rosary has shaped me into the servant leader I am today.”

Rosary Academy is grateful for the Foundation’s continued partnership and its belief in the power of faith filled education.

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April 2026

The Next Chapter: Rosary Academy’s Bold Step Toward a Stronger, Brighter Future
By: Jennifer Kanne Seaton, Rosary Academy ‘97

Rosary Academy, Orange County’s only Catholic all-girls high school, has launched a landmark fundraising campaign. The school hosted a kickoff event for the campaign on campus April 19. The Empower Rosary campaign will grow the campus and strengthen the school’s financial future. It will fund a new two-story building, establish a new endowment in the new Rosary Royals Foundation, and power the Rosary Fund, annual support, to keep Rosary thriving. Pledges and donations of over $9.1 million have already been secured. The goal is to raise $15 million by 2029.

“The timing couldn’t be better,” says Dr. Shawna Putsch, head of school. “It’s about strengthening who we are. We’ve been here for 60 years and I want to make sure we are here for 60 more.”

One of the primary goals of Rosary’s strategic plan is to make campus improvements to give students the spaces they need for today’s collaborative learning. The Empower Rosary campaign is designed to fulfill that mission. The new 12,405 square foot building will be built next to the Karcher Center and form a T with the existing main classroom building. The first floor will house an Innovation & Robotics center, varsity locker room and athletic support spaces and a dance room for performance, wellness and team practices. The second floor will include four classrooms ringed by spaces for faith formation, campus ministry and student leadership. The classrooms will align with Rosary’s Pathways program and include space to launch the eighth Pathway, Culinary Arts. With more dedicated permanent space, programs like robotics will have more flexibility for ongoing projects and dance and cheer teams will have rehearsal spaces.

With the construction of the new building, the modular classrooms currently on campus will be removed. The fourteen-month project is set to begin in June. The last major construction project on campus was the Karcher Center, which opened in 1991.

Although student Bella Ramirez ’26 will graduate long before the new building opens, she is excited about the project and lists details that will be enjoyed by future students. A lacrosse player, Bella points to the locker room as a much-needed upgrade from the outdoor racks where student athletes currently store their bags and gear during the school day. The new building will have an elevator, which will be helpful for students who are injured and currently have to navigate the stairs while on crutches.

“The fundraising campaign is expansion of the opportunities that girls have to grow,” Bella says. “It’s a sign that we are supporting the next generation.”

Another goal of the 2020 strategic plan was to build a strong financial future for Rosary by establishing a new endowment. The Rosary Royals Foundation, approved by the Diocese of Orange, will be administered by a new board and held solely by Rosary. The endowment will grow over time and will fund tuition assistance, and provide stability to protect Rosary during economic shifts. The goal in the Empower Rosary campaign is to secure $3 million in planned gifts. Dr. Pautsch says, “The endowment will allow Rosary to manage its future independently and represents a promise of a secure future to the students.”

The Empower Rosary campaign will also support the Rosary Fund, annual giving, which supports current campus life including academic programs, student support services, tuition assistance, and professional development for faculty.

“Rosary is the only all girls Catholic school in Orange County right now, says Tracey Irving, a campaign committee member and parent of 2012 and 2015 Rosary graduates. “Now’s a critical time - we’re meeting the needs of future Royals. I don’t think Rosary has asked a lot of the community over the years. I know so many people who are very happy with their daughters’ experiences at Rosary and I want it to be available to more girls.”

Student Valerie Palomino ’26 says the campaign is meant to give girls more opportunities to grow different life skills at Rosary. She is thrilled that the endowment will expand tuition assistance for future Royals. Valerie is part of the Leadership Pathway and says she has continually been pushed to try new things and practice leadership during her time at Rosary. “I know Rosary has had a big impact on my confidence and leadership skills,” Palomino says. “The tuition assistance will allow more girls to experience sisterhood and growth at Rosary.”

Alumna and campaign committee member Annie Bertocchini Grand ’02 plans to send her three daughters to Rosary. She is excited about the increased opportunities to serve girls with a broader spectrum of interests after the new building is complete. “It’s such a daunting task to know what you’re going to do when you’re 18. The Pathways allow students to explore and see what they like,” Annie says. “For me Rosary is about developing the whole person. I want my girls to have the faith, the academic piece, all of it. For girls ages 14 to 18, confidence is a big deal and Rosary gives them confidence going out in the world.”

The Empower Rosary campaign is the critical next step for the school and benefactors are hoping as many community members as possible join the effort. “The girls need to know that they deserve to be in an environment that is transformative,” Dr. Pautsch says. “By investing in our campus, we’re investing in our students and the next 60 years.”

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