Each year, we recognize graduates of Holy Rosary School who exemplify the values that underlie Catholic education. Holy Rosary School goes beyond rigorous academics to educate the whole child, imparting the social and moral ethics required to be successful in life.

On Saturday, January 26, 2014 during the opening mass for Catholic School’s Week, we had the honor to award Virginia Hoyt Usher (class of 1941) and Father Jerry McCloskey (class of 1938) as the Holy Rosary Distinguished Alumni for the Centennial Year 2013-2014.

Virginia Hoyt, High School Class of 1941

Virginia Hoyt was born and raised in West Seattle and was a Holy Rosary parish member from an early age. She graduated in 1941 in the second graduating class of Holy Rosary’s all girl high school. She was a senior class officer and a member of the yearbook staff. After graduating, she married, raised four sons, and worked as a secretary in the labor union industry. After retirement and some years of travel, she returned back to West Seattle and lived just a few blocks away from Holy Rosary. Her granddaughter, Aimee Wickler, currently attends Holy Rosary and her grandson, Adam Wickler, graduated from Holy Rosary last year and currently attends Kennedy Catholic High School. Virginia is so proud that her grandchildren have had the opportunity to share in the same Catholic school education at Holy Rosary as she did so many years ago.

Fr. Jerry McCloskey, Class of 1952

Father Jerry McCloskey was born in Seattle, WA, on April 25, 1938 and lived in West Seattle until the age of fifteen. He was baptized at Holy Rosary Church on May 15, 1938 and attended Holy Rosary Grade School from 1944 until his graduation in 1952. After graduating from O’Dea High School, Father McCloskey entered the seminary, attending both St. Edward’s and St. Thomas Seminaries. He was ordained a priest in the Archdiocese of Seattle in 1964.

Father McCloskey has served in many parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Seattle including St. Patrick’s Seattle, Sacred Heart Bellevue, St. Francis of Assisi in Burien, Our Lady of Sorrows in Snoqualmie, Mt. Virgin and St. Paul in Seattle and St. Gabriel in Port Orchard. He has been “retired” since 2003.

Father McCloskey’s blog offers wonderful evidence of his life in West Seattle and Holy Rosary: families, images, stories, teachers, report cards, and celebrations. This blog reminds us of the expression “the more things change, the more they remain the same”. Visit www.jerrymc.com.

Each year, we recognize a graduate of Holy Rosary School who exemplifies the values that underlie Catholic education. Holy Rosary School goes beyond rigorous academics to educate the whole child, imparting the social and moral ethics required to be successful in life.

Rose Egge, though only 27, is a tremendous example of what it means to live with grace and to serve others. After graduating from Holy Rosary in 2000, she completed her education at education at Bishop Blanchet High School and Seattle University, where she received her BA in Journalism in 2008. She earned a Masters degree from the University of Washington in Digital Media in 2011.

At only 25 years old, doctors discovered a cancerous tumor on her spine. Faced with this scary diagnosis and aggressive chemotherapy, Rose started a blog . Her open and honest writing about her experience has served as a deep comfort to others battling cancer and as a deep inspiration to us all. In addition to using her journalism skills to reach out and share her story, she also started a non-profit organization, Thrive Through Cancer, while undergoing treatment. Thrive Through Cancer’s mission is “Helping young adults fight cancer today and live amazing lives tomorrow.” Learn more at thrivethroughcancer.org.

Read more about Rose’s experiences at www.komonews.com/news/health/rose.

On Sunday, January 18, 2009, as part of our Catholic School’s Week celebration, we honored alumni from Holy Rosary School with the NCEA Distinguished Graduate Award. This award is intended to honor graduates of Catholic Elementary schools who have made a contribution to the Catholic Church. The recipient must have graduated from our school at least ten years prior to receiving the award. This year, our previous Distinguished Alumni winners came together to nominate the 2009 recipients.

The 2009 Distinguished Alumni awards were given to and Maxine “Dolly” Hass. Jim Farris graduated from Holy Rosary Elementary School in 1944. Jim has been a lifelong member of our parish, supporting our mass services as a Lector and Eucharistic Minister. He has 5 children who attended Holy Rosary School. Jim was actively involved at the school during the time his children attended. Jim believes that Catholic education cultivates values that serve as the foundation for the mind and spirit. We are grateful for his commitment to our parish and school.

Mrs. Jan Ittes (HRS Elementary 1966) and Mrs. Marie Miller (HRS Elementary 1943) each received a Distinguished Graduate Award on Sunday, January 27, 2008. Presented by the National Catholic Educational Association, the annual awards are given to Catholic school alumni whose personal and professional lives reflect the values and ideals of a Catholic education.

Jan Ittes

Chairperson and CEO of Atlas Supply, Inc., Jan Ittes remains an active volunteer at Holy Rosary. She chaired Holy Rosary’s Endowment Fund, which has grown to over $1 million in scholarship assistance. She served on the parish and school’s Capital Campaign Committee, and is currently an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist and a member of the Renovation Committee for the former convent building. All three of her children graduated from Holy Rosary and Catholic high schools.

Marie Miller

Owner and co-founder of the popular Husky Deli, Marie Miller and her husband have sacrificed to send all nine of their children through Holy Rosary School and on to Catholic high schools. One is now a priest and another returned to teach at Holy Rosary School. Miller has remained active in the parish and school and has served on many commissions. Today, many of her grandchildren attend the school.

Tacoma Dominican Sisters with Fr. John
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On Sunday, October 7, Holy Rosary School honored its 50 year graduates from the Class of 1957 and awarded Steve Antush (Class of ‘74) its Distinguished Alumni award. Special recognition was also given to the classes of 1947, ‘67, ‘77, ‘87, ‘97 and 2007! Members of the Tacoma Domicans who used to teach at the school were also on hand as distinguished guests.