ALUMNI Class Notes

We are excited to feature the following RCS alums as part of our Alumni Class Notes feature section! To share your story with us, email alumni@rcsmn.org.

Olivia Steinmetz ‘18 - With a goal of traveling to all 50 states by the time she is 25 and pursuing a degree related to health and wellness, Olivia Steinmetz finished her years with RCS and headed to the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. She credits her desire to be an informed global citizen to her experiences in music, world studies, psychology, and the sciences.

“Music is a universal language and my years with the LHS Concert Choir, Center Street Singers, SE MN Honors Choirs, along with the UST Concert and Chamber Choirs, enriched my understanding of culture and diversity,” she shared. “As I traveled with Semester at Sea in 2020, the stories of the people, the beauty of the countries, the perspectives of Eastern and Western medicines, and the challenges of the pandemic opened new opportunities for me.”

As she completed her voyage, Steinmetz knew she was being called to support people on their own health and wellness journeys.

Upon acceptance at the University of Western States in Portland, Oregon, Steinmetz furthered her education earning degrees in Biology, Sports Medicine and in December of 2023, will become a Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine. Passionate about education, a positive growth mindset, and a balanced approach to wellness, she created her own Instagram tagline “Wellness for Every Body.” To connect with Olivia, visit her on Instagram at @livv.with.liv.

Rebekah Crowley ‘17 - We caught up with Rebekah Crowley in Big Sandy, Texas at The Pines Catholic Camp, where she lives each day sharing her love for God, relationships, and music! She smiled to include, all of which are made better if shared with a good cup of coffee! Following graduation from LHS, she attended the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN earning degrees in both Catholic Studies and Liturgical Music.

A love for music was instilled in Crowley during her time at RCS, beginning with “Try-It Night,” an evening for students to try out different instruments, weekly band lessons, as well as her experiences in LHS Concert Band, Marching Band, Hi-Lighters Jazz Band, and Liturgical Choir.

“I owe a lot to the RCS Music Department; time and time again, I am reminded of how much of a gift music is in my life,” she said.

In her roles with the Catholic camp, Crowley has served as a missionary, leading retreats for parish and school groups that come to the camp throughout the year. She is also excited about her new role as Associate Director of Formation! She is passionate about youth ministry and journeying with young people as they figure out who God is calling them to be.

She attributes her deep desire to connect with others to her time at RCS. “Catholic schools gave me the gift of relationships,” she said.

From the piney woods of Texas, Crowley sends her greetings! “I’m excited to be living in the present, experiencing the wonders of God’s creation, and looking forward to seeing where He leads me next!” To connect with Rebekah, email rebekah@thepines.org.

Emily Welhaven ‘07

- Peeking into Emily Welhaven’s first grade classroom at St. Francis of Assisi School, you are met with smiles and inspirational messages.

“This classroom is better because you are in it,” is the friendly greeting her students see each day as they laugh, learn, and listen.

Now in her ninth year of teaching, Welhaven is one of RCS’s many alumni educators that have returned home to their foundational roots. She reflects, “Ever since I was a kindergartener at St. John the Evangelist Middle School, RCS has felt like home to me. I don’t remember everything my kindergarten teacher said and did, but I always remember the way she made me feel. She loved each of her students like they were her own children.” Following in the footsteps of her own dedicated teachers, Welhaven hopes to inspire our youngest learners to share their Godgiven gifts in service of others.

“As an eighth grader, I stood in Mr. Carroll’s classroom and watched the Lourdes High School students walk into church for Mass. I said to my friend, ‘I’m going to work for Rochester Catholic Schools someday,” Welhaven shared. Following graduation, she earned degrees in both Elementary Education and Literacy Education, taught in Kasson and Albert Lea, and then decided it was the right time to return home.

And home is exactly what Emily’s classroom is - a place to practice, play, pray, and praise. She encourages all of us to follow the wisdom of the words on her classroom wall: “Be the reason someone smiles today!”

Francis “Fitz” Fitzgerald ‘69 - “One Stormy Night” was the title of Francis “Fitz” Fitzgerald’s autobiography, written in sixth grade, while a student at St. Pius X School. He still has this autobiography at his home in northern Minnesota which became an inspiration in the writing of his first book, Combat to Conservation, and the title of the first chapter!

Conservation of resources and service to his country are part of his journey. As a keynote speaker at the MN Department of Natural Resources in June, and a featured author with the Vietnam Veterans of America, Fitz is honored to share his story with the hope of leaving a legacy for his family and allowing others to heal through the words of his book.

While visiting with Fitz, it became clear that the love of his family, his foundation in the Catholic faith, and his experiences growing up in the woods and fields around Southeast Minnesota, shaped who he is today. “Dad and Mom were great parents and role models. Growing up, we didn’t even think about where we would go to school; our family’s moral character was fully rooted in the faith,” he shared. “I held the record for going to Mass the most consecutive days in a row!”

As he reflects on the impact RCS had on his life, the gift of a Catholic education, being immersed in academic excellence, and growing up with a brother who served as a priest in the Winona-Rochester Diocese, he is grateful for these blessings. While serving as a Marine in Vietnam, he could turn to his faith, family, and friends as sources of comfort, healing and hope.

Retired and loving the outdoors, Fitz continues to advocate for the conservation of resources, enjoy the beauty of nature, and is working to further his legacy for his four children and six grandchildren. To learn more about this RCS Eagle, visit Fitzgerald’s website at www.fjfitzgerald.com.