Since graduation from EMHS seven years ago, Vincent Morra ’09 and Rose Jantzi ’09 have pursued different career tracks, but each has given their time and energy to serve others in the midst of rigorous academic accomplishments. Their list of high school awards and accolades is almost endless. Vincent was class Valedictorian while the student body elected Rose as Student Council President. Rose performed in the musicals “Quilters” and “Cotton Patch Gospel” and sang in Touring Choir and Chamber Choir, and she earned the Rotary Code of Ethics Award. Vincent starred in Tennis, was Senior Class Co-President, and earned the Mathematics and Science Department Honors Scholar Awards. Rose was into the arts and music, while Vincent maximized his time in the Science Department.
After graduation, Rose spent a year serving and living at a daycare with Mennonite Mission Network in Asuncion, Paraguay. Upon returning to the states, Rose earned an Elementary Education degree at Eastern Mennonite University, with a minor in Spanish. She is now in her second year working at W. H. Keister Elementary School, Harrisonburg, where she teaches second grade in the dual language program.
After high school Vincent completed a major in Economics at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, with a minor in Foreign Affairs. Vincent then earned a Masters in Biomedicine at EMU. Throughout his undergraduate and graduate studies, Vincent worked at Sentara RMH, Harrisonburg, as a Patient Care Technician in the operating room. He transported patients, turned over operating rooms between surgical cases, and worked with and shadowed physicians and nurses. Vincent has been accepted to begin studies in the fall of 2016 at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in Lewisburg, WV.
Both Rose and Vincent speak highly of their years studying, learning, and building relationships at EMHS. They remember teachers who cared for them and they value friendships that were formed. In their respective career pursuits each has continued to serve others. Rose is involved in a local church, and Vincent works long hours at the Center for Christian Study, an outreach ministry to students that is located in the shadow of Thomas Jefferson’s famous Rotunda on the UVA campus.
