7 minute read
Class Notes
ALUMNI Class Notes
We are excited to feature the following RCS alums as part of “Alumni Class Notes!” Have a great story to share? E-mail us at alumni@rcsmn.org.
Grace Bigler '17’s designs are
in stores and being worn all over the world! As a computer- aided designer (CAD) of print and pattern for Abercrombie & Fitch on the Hollister and Social Tourist brands, she is immersed in her love of textiles, fibers, and art! And, her Christmas pajamas, inspired by her time in Minnesota at Lake Vermilion, are on the shelves today.
As a textile designer, she credits the small environment of St. Pius X School, Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist Middle School, and LHS as providing her with great opportunities to participate in many activities and gain useful leadership skills. “I interacted with a diverse group of people which has helped me in the highly collaborative environment of design. Attending the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia, along with international studies in Hong Kong and France not only supported my global Fine Arts degree in Fibers, but also enabled me to bring my Rochester spiritual life to different Catholic communities around the world,” wrote Bigler.
Snuggle up in her Christmas pajamas now available at Hollister!
Timothy Vassallo '14 is
currently living in Brooklyn, New York and freelancing on the production management team at TIME Studios. Following his graduation from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California, this CoCathedral of St. John the Evangelist and LHS alum was open to wherever his path was to take him. The path took him across the country where he continues to share his talents as a filmmaker, photographer, and public speaker. Of recent, he served as a production coordinator on TIME’s “Kid of the Year” and a Netflix doc series entitled “Countdown: Inspiration4 Mission to Space.”
Tim shares, “My time at RCS was tremendously formative and taught me the values of teamwork and friendship. The academic rigor, especially through AP Literature, has allowed me to meet challenges with vision.” This vision is fulfilled in his media and television career. Vassallo’s work can be found on his website: timothyvassallo.com.
Abigail (Salz) Bauernfeind '14 has
experienced two life-changing events! Most recently, she married her best friend, Chase, and secondly, she was invited to partner with Amazon to produce social media content, specifically for TikTok and Instagram, and become one of their Livestream creators.
The University of Minnesota grad majored in Business and Marketing and shares her expertise as the Director of Marketing for Twigs Tavern & Grille and Centerstone Plaza Hotel in Rochester, MN. She works alongside her parents, Myron and Michelle, in their familyowned business. In addition, she creates marketing campaigns for lifestyle brands such as Steve Madden, Abercrombie & Fitch, Express, Banana Republic, Petal and Pup, and Walmart.
“Sharing my love for accessible-affordable fashion and decor through social media has brought me into the public eye. To maintain positive mental wellness, I lean on my friendships and spirituality. I listen to the voice of God and trust I am following His way in this ever-changing world,” explained Abigail.
The gift of family, friendship and faith were noted in Abigail’s communication with us.
“LHS taught me to be honest and true to myself; in life, when I am real with people, I find that is when I make the strongest connections.”
To connect with Abigail, follow her on TikTok and Instagram at @absalz.
Jahi Moore '11’s days are filled with the beating of drums, directing, and composing! We were able to catch up with him after the 2022 Wisconsin School Music Association’s State Championships. Under the program creation and composition of Jahi, we’d like to give a shout out to the Mukwonago High School Percussion ensemble for being awarded the 2022 State Championship for Best Percussion!
While attending Norfolk State University and majoring in Music Education, Jahi competed as a member of both North Carolina and Virginia indoor drumlines. He founded and directed a tenor drum ensemble and after receiving his undergrad, is now teaching percussion at two high schools while simultaneously directing two professional sports drumlines. He serves as the Assistant Director of the Tundraline, the official Drumline of the Green Bay Packers and Director of Bucks Beats, the official Drumline of the Milwaukee Bucks.
Jahi is grateful for the discipline instilled as an RCS student and attributes his organization, ability to focus, work collaboratively, and build lasting friendships as foundations built in Catholic education. This Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist Middle School and LHS alum says his next beats include founding and directing a World Guard International (WGI) Indoor Percussion ensemble in Wisconsin, opening his own lesson studio, and composing for multiple marching bands. More information on The Sport of the Arts, competitive marching band and indoor drumlines, can be found at wgi.org.
Linda O’Connell '09
is the fifth generation of O’Connells to raise her right hand and swear to protect our Constitution. As we honor her service to our country while serving as a cadet in the Fighting Saints Battalion Army ROTC program, we also honor her work at the College of Saint Benedict’s where she is pursuing her nursing degree and set to graduate in May 2023.
Following graduation, she will be receiving her commission for four years of active duty in the US Army Nurse Corps with the hopes of returning to school to further her education in becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner. A Catholic school student since age four, Linda was part of the St. Francis of Assisi School community and went on to excel in volleyball and softball while gaining valuable leadership skills in campus ministry, the W.H.O. Club, and SADD at LHS.
“RCS has instilled a sense of community, care, and compassion in my everyday life,” said Linda. “Catholic education has given me ongoing confidence in understanding God is leading me exactly where He needs me to be. As a future nurse and Army officer, I strive to model the same level of care and commitment to my patients and fellow soldiers every single day.” We salute you, Linda!
ALUMNI Class Notes continued
Will Newkirk '08 spends his day as the Director of the American Indian Catholic Schools Network on the campus of University of Notre Dame. Coming from a family of educators, Will studied at St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN and journeyed to Tulsa, Oklahoma to teach in his own third grade classroom at St. Catherine School while earning a M.Ed. through Notre Dame’s ACE Teaching Fellows program.
“My time teaching at St. Catherine was a deeply formative experience in my life. I learned so much from the teachers and families about creating authentic communities and the spirit of inclusion,” reflected Newkirk.
Presently working on his Doctorate of Education at Loyola Marymount University, Will shared education is a gateway which brings about kinship and reminds all of us that we belong to each other. The encouragement of service at both St. Francis of Assisi School and LHS continues to impact me spiritually, personally, and professionally. I have no doubt my vocation to serve students on the margins is rooted in experiences these schools provided. I am deeply grateful to my RCS educators for their dedication as role models of faith, social justice, and commitment to community. To learn more Will’s work, visit the American Indian Catholic Schools Network website.
Barbara R. Gores, DVM, DACVS '78 recently
received the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Distinguished Veterinary Alumni Award for Excellence in Practice. As a student at St. Francis of Assisi School, Dr. Gores shares her passion for God’s creation, especially our animals, along with this patron saint. She has dedicated her professional career to the exploration and development of new and improved techniques in small animal veterinary surgery, particularly in the areas of surgical and therapeutic lasers, wound reconstruction and care, oral/ maxillofacial surgery, and elective orthopedics.
After graduating from Gonzaga University (1983) and WSU College of Veterinary Medicine (1989) and completing an internship and surgical residency (1989–1993) with Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston, she became a board-certified Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1996, receiving the Mary Mitchell Humane Award for feline kidney transplantation that same year. In 1999, she and her husband established the Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson, a 24-hour emergency, multispecialty veterinary hospital which has received several design and practice management awards.
St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals, pray for us!
Chuck Sibley '72 recently celebrated 50 years at KTTC-TV! Chuck currently serves as Chief Photographer at KTTC. From a recent KTTC social media post: “KTTC wouldn’t be the station it is without him!”
We invite you to join us in giving Chuck an RCS round of applause!
