Stepping into the Coral Gables Senior High auditorium on Oct. 24, Rosanna Hoff Karpiak earned herself a spot as a Gables Hall of Fame Inductee. Celebrating this monumental milestone, Karpiak feels a sense of pride returning to Gables years later to honor her achievements as a noteworthy alumni. Throughout the years since her Gables graduation, Karpiak has not only contributed to her alma mater, but to the entire community.
“I think the hard work and my love for the school is what is being honored. Even [as] a teacher, because a lot of times we put other jobs ahead of teaching, when actually teachers are the ones who inspire those children to go out and be great. I’m very honored that they saw that and that they are recognizing this profession as ‘Hall of Fame’ worthy,” Karpiak said.
Amidst her time at Gables, she became known for her infectious Cavalier spirit. Being one of the first officers of the Gablettes, crimson and gray have always flown through her veins. As a proud Cavalier of the Class of 1985, Karpiak carries the lessons she learned within the Gables halls, shaping her lifetime of service.
Graduating from Florida State University with a Bachelors in Health and Physical Education, Karpiak has built a successful career in teaching and business. But she never truly ended ties with Gables, as she has served as a board member with the Friends of Gables since 2019. As part of her commitment to helping her community, she has mentored students from Gables and Miami Palmetto Senior High School.
But one of her most impactful creations, aside from her transformative coaching at Gables is the Kelsie Karpiak Scholarship Foundation, founded to transform the passing of her daughter into a guiding light for the newest generation of students.
Kelsie Karpiak, an aspiring dancer, attended Palmetto while her mother taught there. Following in her footsteps, Kelsie Karpiak constantly found joy and connection through performance. Tragically, Kelsie Karpiak passed away at 24 in a boating accident. This sudden loss left a void in the community, but Karpiak found a way to fill that void with a purpose.
“I think it was other people that told me ‘Don’t let your grief just shut you down. Do something in her name.’ So, Kelsie loved dance. She was on the dance team at Palmetto, she followed me around for all her life. So, she always wanted girls to have scholarships so they could afford to go to dance camp or college because she knew how hard it was. So, we put dance and scholarships together and began raising money,” Karpiak said.
In the wake of her loss, Karpiak faced a choice: drown in grief or repurpose her daughters’ vibrant spirit into something that could change another persons’ life. Choosing the latter and establishing the scholarship foundation in Sept. 2017, Karpiak made it her mission to support dance students who embody discipline, creativity and commitment to this art. The foundations’ existence stands as a powerful statement of her resilience and selflessness.
Providing four annual scholarships with a focus on students graduating from Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Karpiaks’ awards prioritize dedication and excellence in dance. By highlighting areas in which Karpiaks’ daughter stood out in, the foundation values character over traditional qualifications such as GPA.
Hosting the annual Dinner-Dance Showcase for Scholarships every October, the highly anticipated show is the foundations’ primary fundraising event, celebrating Kelsie Karpiaks’ enthusiasm for dance. Th event brings together a community, as former Gablettes, professional dancers and high school dancers perform at this showcase, creating an unforgettable evening.
Through the tireless effort surrounding these performances, the foundation has provided over $44,000 in scholarships in only eight years and directly assisted 22 highly deserving students in pursuing higher education.
“It started as a healing process, but it has become a blessing. So to try to find a white, silver lining to a tragedy, this was it. This was the best way to honor her. In this community, people are just so supportive of our family and of the foundation. It’s been growing every year so we are hoping to give out even more scholarships of a higher monetary value to really make a dent in their college fees. It’s felt so good to speak her name, to keep her memory alive. I think it’s healing for our whole family,” Karpiak said.
Going beyond offering financial aid, Karpiaks’ commitment to her alma mater is solidified through her role on the Friends of Gables board. Supporting major school projects and providing long-term resources that benefit every student, Karpiak is dedicated in preserving Gables’ rich history. Karpiak acts as a strong preserver of the Cavalier legacy, as she is involved in everything from funding to selecting honorees.
As this years Hall of Fame induction coincides with Gables’ 75th anniversary, this serves as an incredible moment for Karpiak, who sees the honor as a symbol of her hard work and determination in mentoring.
“I just want students to know to take a step of courage, talk to wise people and just know that if you don’t take a leap of faith in something, then you’re missing out on a lot. I would’ve missed out on this life if I didn’t take that leap. I would say to stay involved in the community, don’t forget your family and always remember that even outside of this school; you’re always going to represent your school so be the best you can be. Be proud when people ask you where you went to high school,” Karpiak said.
Balancing the demands of her career while committing to running a non-profit organization, Karpiak represents the fulfillment of a Cavalier promise to succeed and give back to the community that has shaped her. Taking her place among Gables’ most distinguished alumni, Karpiaks’ journey is a testament that legacy is measured through the lives changed and staying in touch with Cavalier roots.
