The 2010 Lifetime Achievement Award was presented in January to Catherine “Rosie” Rosenthal, who has for many years been the mainstay of St.Charles (MO) Parks & Recreation.
The award was presented at the 2010 International Aquatic Safety School in Tempe, Arizona. In a phone call in late January, Rosie said she was still in shock; amazed that E&A thought that much of her. She was so very pleased that Jeff had come and made the award himself. “Jeff is the “top of the world”: The company has become so big, but he stays the same: a regular, really nice man”. Rosie has promised to “write up” her experiences in aquatics, and particularly her long, continuing battle with skin cancer. In discussing the cancer, she said “I blame only myself”. She discussed her daily sessions in her tanning bed, in her home., and her frequent trips to the skin specialist with new cancer spots. “I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have good insurance: I know that each trip will be at least $1,000.00”. All lifeguards should hear her story.
Our congratulations and best wishes to Catherine “Rosie” Rosenthal, upon receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from Jeff Ellis & Associates. Rosie’s long career, her dedication to safety, and her mentoring of new, young staff have earned her a place in the hearts of aquatic staff in Missouri, and of E&A staff everywhere.