EDISON, NJ, September 14, 2017 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Rosemary Joan Kijowski is a celebrated Marquis Who's Who biographee. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Marquis Who's Who, the world's premier publisher of biographical profiles, is proud to name Ms. Kijowski a Lifetime Achiever. An accomplished listee, Ms. Kijowski celebrates many years' experience in her professional network, and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes she has accrued in her field.
About Rosemary Joan Kijowski
Born with musical DNA on Friday, February 13, 1948, Rosemary was blessed with two loving parents, John and Rosaria Kijowski. From the onset, Rosemary displayed a remarkable musical talent, moving and dancing whenever music was heard in the house. The Kijowskis lived across from Most Holy Rosary School, Rosemary's future educational institution. There the principal of the school saw an interest in the three year old girl as she watched with a sense of curiosity the children entering the building. So sister invited Rosemary to come to school and work in the kindergarten class. This was the beginning of a star pupil.
The family moved the summer before Rosemary started kindergarten forcing her to ride the public bus. At five years of age, it was more nerve wracking for her mother. But the bus driver was great. He had her sitting right in front and knew her stop. It was reassuring for her mother, also knowing that Babchi, (grandmom) would be waiting for the bus when it arrived. At the end of the day, Rosemary had the pleasure of Babchi's company until her father arrived.
Kindergarten was an exciting time for Rosemary, as she was blessed with a teacher who sensed the talent of this young child. Sr. Domenica immediately encouraged Rosemary to sing and had her performing whenever the kindergarten class was on stage. Perth Amboy now had its very own "Shirley Temple", complete with dimples and curly blonde hair.
School was a breeze for Rosemary, as she loved going and even played teacher when the chance arose. This translated to home life with her mother- teaching her to read and write and how to pronounce the difficult American words. Rosaria was a World War II war bride, meeting John while he was stationed in Naples, Italy. The language naturally was a challenge.
When Rosemary was in Fifth Grade, something magical happened. An area music studio was offering a scholarship to one student from the local Catholic schools. Six students were chosen to participate, (one from each school), in a ten week program. Knowing what the Kijowski finances were and the love of music Rosemary had, she was chosen to represent Most Holy Rosary School. After the ten weeks of accordion lessons and a written test, a performance before the teachers, principals and parents was scheduled. Rosemary awed everyone, playing her song from memory and acing the written test. She won three years of accordion lessons along with a brand new accordion. Thusly her formal music studies began. She was intense on learning, continually being promoted year after year to a more challenging heights. But on accordion? Talented as she was, she would not be prepared for college with merely a background in accordion. It was not even part of the curriculum in High School.
When Rosemary began High School she started singing lessons and joined the choirs. Pay off came when she, along with several other girls, auditioned and was chosen to be in the selective choir, the best in the high school. She auditioned and was also chosen for All County Choir and All State Choir.
Since accordion was not part of any college curriculum, another avenue had to be found. That's when piano lessons entered her life along with a new Janssen upright. The Kijowskis didn't win the lottery, but when it came to the needs of their children, sacrifices needed to be made. And in order for Rosemary to pursue her musical future and become a music teacher those sacrifices were made. Rosaria always seemed to know how to make that dollar stretch. To this day that Janssen upright still sits in Rosemary's home, bringing joy and fond memories whenever it is played.
Graduating high school in the top 10% of her class, Rosemary went on to attend The College of New Jersey, (then Trenton State College), renowned for it's music education program. She received a scholarship which paid her tuition. Rosemary came home every weekend and taught piano as she had done her senior year of high school. She graduated in 1970 with a B.A. in Music. The summer after graduation was spent as an exchange student in Germany and Austria, learning the culture and studying the music. Upon her return, Ms. Kijowski began teaching K-6 music and choir in the Edison Township School District. It was during this time that Rosemary received her M.A., teaching her special needs class how to play the piano and having a recital for parents and faculty. At the request of her supervisor, she transferred to the junior high school, teaching grades 7-9, later becoming a middle school of grades 6-8.
Rosemary's love of music and children was apparent to everyone as she worked with her classes, stressing that the ability to accomplish a task, whatever it may be, is determined by the will of a person and not the I.Q. During her days at Woodrow Wilson Middle School, Rosemary coached the Odyssey of the Mind program and was fortunate to have many of her teams compete at the World Finals. Nominated as Teacher of the Year on several occasions, she also worked as a Peer Leadership Advisor and Talent Show Advisor. Rosemary was honored as District Teacher of the Year in 1998. However great as these accomplishments were, they paled in comparison to her greatest one: the adoptions of her sons, Robert and Edward. The joy they bring to each other and to her simply cannot be expressed in words. Robert has chosen the literary field and is pursuing a career in television writing and Edward specializes in the culinary arts, creating masterpieces which are enjoyed by the family.
Retiring after 35 years as a successful music educator Rosemary took on the job of owner and general manager of a fitness center for women. From 2003-2012, she owned and operated The Body Shoppe for Women, exemplifying her skills as a savvy small business owner and as a compassionate fitness nutritionist. With a zest for providing care, Rosemary helped others advance themselves in both body and mind. With her entrepreneurial and leadership skills, she was able to instruct and instill passion in others on their journey to health and wellness.
At the present time, Ms. Kijowski is heavily involved with her volunteer work. She serves as a Eucharistic Minister and Lector at St. Mary of Mount Virgin Church. She also drives one of the sisters to the homebound parishioners who cannot attend Mass for the distribution of Holy Communion. . She is an active member of the St. Mary Choir and St. Peter's University Hospital Choir. Rosemary additionally volunteers at the hospital, working in the I.C.U., visiting with patients and their families in seeing to their needs.
For most of her adult life, Ms Kijowski has rescued dogs. As a big lover of animals, she enjoys taking care of puppies and helping them find good homes. She is currently training her lab mix to be a therapy dog with the future possibility of becoming a service dog. Her hobbies also include vegetable gardening which she incorporates in her cooking.
Rosemary's affiliations include the N.J. Education Association, the Edison Township Education Association, the Middlesex County Education Association, the Music Educators National Conference, the N.J. Association of Women Business Owners and the N. J. Retired Educators Association. Rosemary has modeled her life and inspires those that she works with by the Derek Clark quote: "It's not about your I.Q. It's about your I will!"
Ms. Kijowski has been a featured listee in Who's Who in Finance and Business, Who's Who in America, Who's Who in the World and Who's Who of American Women.
About Marquis Who's Who :
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America , Marquis Who's Who has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Today, Who's Who in America remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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