Last year, the three recipients of the Sister Joanmarie McDonnell Financial Award received a combined $2,000 toward their senior year fees at Red Bank Catholic (RBC). The application for the award asks students why they chose to attend RBC and what they have gotten out of the experience so far; it’s an award for Caseys by Caseys. The people donating the money and reading the applications are the very same teachers and staff who spent so many years guiding RBC students.
In retirement, they want to continue to help. Even if it means reading a few more essays.
The idea started small; a casual way for friends to stay in touch. In 2023, Debbie Hemschoot and Pat Hendricks, both long-time members of Red Bank Catholic’s guidance department, were retiring and discussed setting up a regular breakfast date to stay in touch. They invited Pat Rooney, a long-time guidance secretary who had retired in 2012, and Ann Gonzalez, a former tuition supervisor…