We asked alumnae to reflect on their experience at Prep and the paths they’ve taken since. This week, we feature Louise DeFelice `88—a dentist, clinical instructor with the EWU Department of Dental Hygiene, and founder of The Rachel Project. Her story shows how opportunities opened to women at Prep continue to ripple outward in service and leadership.
Q. How did it feel to be a young woman at Gonzaga Prep during your time there?
A. “Academically and spiritually, it felt as though women had been at Prep the whole time, even though the school had only been co-ed for just a decade. I was fortunate to watch my three older sisters attend Prep before me, with one sister in the first graduating class of women. I felt supported by teachers and coaches who believed in my potential and nourished my personal development. Girls' sports programs were just gaining traction, largely supported by volunteer coaches. Volleyball as a team sport was new to the school. We walked halls filled with traditions and trophies built by boys, yet it felt electric to be there at times. We were wearing not only cheer uniforms, but letter jackets of our own. The school and its reputation were formed by boys, then we helped redefine it.”
Q. Was there a moment when you realized that being at Prep was changing the way you saw yourself or your future?
A. "I remember sitting in class discussing vocations, not just as a religious calling, but as a way of living with purpose. That life isn’t all about what you accomplish, but who you serve along the way. That concept shifted something in me. It made me realize that my future wasn’t just about a job or a title, but also about how I would show up in the world. Prep challenged me to think deeply, to connect my faith with action, and to believe that I could pursue excellence while still being rooted in compassion. That mindset shaped how I chose dentistry as a career that heals and serves, founded The RACHEL Project which supports individuals and their families touched by autism and intellectual disabilities, and how I teach the next generation of healthcare providers at Eastern Washington University. Prep planted the idea that my life could make a difference through service to others."
Q. Is there a teacher, coach, or classmate who made a lasting impression on you?
A. "Coach Denise Schlepp left a lasting imprint on my life with something she wrote to me that I’ve carried with me ever since. She wrote, 'Nothing is as strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength.' I was a student-athlete at the time, and like many young women, I was learning to balance confidence with compassion, ambition with humility. Coach Schlepp saw something in me and that spoke to both my spirit and my drive. Her words helped me understand that strengths don’t have to be loud or aggressive. They can be quiet, steady, and deeply kind. That perspective shaped how I practiced dentistry, how I parent, how I lead The RACHEL Project, and how I teach future dental professionals. She helped me define what it means to lead with heart, and that’s a gift for which I’ll always be grateful."
Q. Were there challenges you faced specifically because you were a young woman at Prep?
A. "As a young woman, I faced additional scrutiny regarding my choices, whether in leadership roles or academic pursuits that were not traditional gender roles. There were few female role models in leadership positions at the school. Many traditions, as well as the facilities, were rooted in the all-boys legacy. Girls sports did not always have the same resources, recognition, or support as the boys’ teams. There was a sense that we were still earning our place, not just in athletics, but also in leadership and school cultures. Sometimes, it felt like we had to work twice as hard to be taken seriously. However, being a part of that shift laid the groundwork for future generations of girls to step in fully."
Q. Did you feel like you belonged at Prep?
A. "Yes, the sense of belonging was powerful. I never felt like I had to prove I deserved to be there. I found community in the classroom, on the court, and in the values that tied us all together. I felt challenged and supported, where my faith and intelligence were both nurtured. That experience gave me confidence to walk into college, dental school, and eventually other leadership roles knowing that I had a voice and that it mattered."
Q. How did your Prep education help prepare you for what came next in life?
A. "My education at Prep laid the foundation for every chapter of my life. Professionally, it gave me the discipline and confidence to pursue a demanding career in dentistry. I learned how to think critically and lead with integrity. Personally, Prep helped shape my values. It helped me to care deeply about others, to stand up for what matters, and to be intentional and responsible. Spiritually, it grounded me. The Jesuit focus on reflection, service and finding God in all things gave me a lens through which I view every role I play."
Q. What does it mean to you now, looking back, to have been part of the coed legacy at Prep?
A. "It means being part of a turning point. A moment when the school widened its doors and said, 'You belong here too.' Being part of that coed legacy means I helped pave the way for young women to come through Prep knowing they belong in every classroom, on every team, and in every leadership role. That legacy is about equity, excellence, and the quiet strength of progress. I’m honored to have been a part of it, and proud to see how far it's come."
Q. If you could speak to the girls at Prep today, what would you want them to know?
A. "If I could speak to girls at Prep today, I’d want them to know that they can build a life that reflects both their strength and compassion. I’d say don’t be afraid to take up space, speak with purpose, and lead with heart. When the world tells you to be quieter, smaller and sweeter, just smile politely, and then do the exact opposite. Prep girls are built for more than just blending in. You’re more than selfies on Instagram. Look outward to how you can be of service to others while reaching your own goals. You’re part of a legacy of smart, brave, faith-filled women who aren’t afraid to take up space in rooms where women have only recently been invited. Don’t wait for someone to invite you to lead. Prep girls have always been trailblazers, even when the trails weren’t paved for us. This is a sisterhood that started with young bullpup women filling rooms with a lot of polyester and Aqua Net and look at us now.
Your path might not look like anyone else’s, and that’s a good thing. Mine has taken me through nearly 3 decades of dentistry, into nonprofit work as the founder of The RACHEL Project, and now into teaching the next generation of dental professionals. Along the way, I’ve faced many challenges, raised a family, and kept showing up. You are more resilient and powerful than you know. Trust that your voice and your presence matter. And most importantly, never underestimate the power of lasting friendships you’ll form from your years at Prep."
Q. What’s one lesson or value from your time at Prep that you still carry with you?
A. "One lesson I carry from my time at Prep is the deep value of living in service to others. Prep taught me that much of success is measured by how you show up for other people—in your work, your faith, and in your friendships. The friendships I formed at Prep remind me that we’re meant to walk through life together, lifting each other up. That foundation continues to shape who I am today.
Q. Do you have a "defining moment" from your time at Prep that still shapes who you are?
A. "My defining moment at Prep came during my senior year when I was honored with the Father Curtis Sharp Award. At the time, I don’t think I fully grasped the depth of what it meant. I simply felt surprised, grateful, and humbled. But looking back, I realize that this award, recognizing academic achievement, high moral character, leadership, athletics and a spirit of service, reflected the values which had quietly shaped me throughout my years at Prep.
More than just an individual honor, the award affirmed a way of being which was to strive for excellence with integrity, to serve others without expectation, and to lead with compassion and humility. Rooted in Ignatian spirituality, it challenged me then, and continues to challenge me now, to live not just for myself, but for a greater good. It remains a touchstone that I return to when I ask myself who I am and how I hope to move through this world."
Q. Was there a time when your Prep experience helped you through a hard season in life?
A. "When my daughter was diagnosed with autism and intellectual disability, it was one of the most challenging times of my life. I had to navigate grief, the healthcare system, caring for a newborn and her sister, my career, advocacy and a future that looked very different from what I’d imagined. But the foundation I received at Prep, especially the values of faith and perseverance, carried me. I remembered what we’re called to be people for others, and that gave me purpose. It’s what led me to eventually create The RACHEL Project, a nonprofit that supports adults with autism and intellectual disability and their families. In many ways, Prep gave me the spiritual grit and sense of mission I needed to turn hardship into hope."
Q. What would your life look like if Prep hadn’t gone co-ed?
A. "Honestly, I don’t think I would have become the same version of myself. Along with my parents, Prep shaped not just my education, but my character. It gave me more than academic preparation—it gave me a moral compass, a sense of purpose, and the belief that faith and service are meant to guide our choices. Without Prep, I still likely would have become a dentist, but I don’t know if I would have approached my career, motherhood, or advocacy with the same heart. Prep taught me to lead with compassion and humility, to serve with conviction, and to trust that making a difference just requires presence and love."