Dear Rosati-Kain,

I would like to thank you for all of the great times that I was able to experience throughout my four years. I learned a lot and I also laughed a lot with amazing friends that I will never forget. I was taught how to always believe in myself and how to never give up on my dreams. You taught me how to work hard and how to achieve my goals.

Thank you for helping me meet all of the amazing people that I did and for making those people my friends. Thank you for giving me friends that will last a lifetime. When I walked through the halls, I felt like I was home. I knew I was able to be myself and that people would always support me and stand beside me. Even on my worst days, I still called Rosati home and even when school was getting too hard, I was excited to go each day. I would like to say thank you to all of the teachers and students that helped make my time at Rosati wonderful. It was an experience that I will never forget, with friends that I will cherish for a lifetime.

Thank you for teaching me to work hard. It took a couple of years for me to understand what was expected of me, but no one gave up on me and no one told me that I wasn't good enough. Through every step of the way, from day one, someone was always there guiding me and helping me continue to reach my full potential. I came into high school as an underachiever, who strived for better, but just couldn't seem to get it. But when I left, I left as a person who knew what she is capable of and who never settled for less. Even though I really struggled my first two years, it helped me to put my life into perspective. I am more than just C's on a report card and I knew I could do better. I finally got that "push" I needed because I actually felt like the teachers cared and that they knew that I could do better for myself.

When I look back at who I was when I entered, who I was when I graduated, and who I am now, I'm the same person, but just a better version of myself. I truly feel like I would not have been able to grow if I did not have that constant support group that Rosati provided for me. High school was hard, but having that "push" and knowing the teachers wanted more for me made it more bearable. It really prepared me for what college was going to throw at me. Of course, you can never be fully prepared for any situation, but you helped me to understand that anything worth having is not going to come easy.

Thank you for giving me a sense of confidence that I wouldn't have otherwise found. I entered high school as a narrow-minded, nervous ninth grader. I was scared that people would talk about me and make fun of me. I left as an open-minded, confident young woman.

During my time at Rosati, I learned not to care what people thought of me and I learned to put my opinion of myself in front of other people's opinions of me. I learned that I am more than what people say behind my back. I learned that even if you are the nicest person in the world, at least one person is not going to like you. And I think that when I finally realized I can't please everyone, I stopped pleasing everyone but myself. But you always made sure that I was considerate of others. You might not be able to please everyone but that doesn't mean that you have to be a jerk in the process.

But anyways, thank you. Thank you for everything that you have helped me learn and for the ways that you have helped me grow. You have shaped me into this person who has flaws but who wants to continue to grow. You helped me realize what I am passionate about and you always told me to believe in myself, even when it is hard and especially when others don't. All of the thank yous in the world wouldn't be enough to show you how grateful and appreciative I am for everything you have taught me. When I think of Rosati-Kain, a smile comes to my face and memories that I will have for the rest of my life run through my mind. So thank you, Rosati-Kain. Go Kougs!

Sincerely,

A Rosati Graduate