A Light for Others: A Look Back at the 2018-19 academic year

A LIGHT for OTHERS

NAPA, CA w EST. 1966

2018-19

2018-19: Our Students A LIGHT for OTHERS The following month-by-month highlights are just a glimpse of our year at Justin-Siena.

Read more about these and other stories online at www.justin-siena.org.

AUGUST

JUSTIN-SIENA Class of 2019 • 154 graduates; Justin-Siena’s 50th Commencement • 199 universities/colleges issued acceptance to Braves • 98% attending college (84% to 4 yr./15% to 2 yr.)

• 39 grads attending Forbes “Top 100” 2018 Best Colleges • $8.5M awarded in college scholarships

CONGRATULATIONS! MEMBERS of the CLASS OF 2019 were ACCEPTED at the following Colleges and Universities Adelphi University The University of Alabama American University American University of Paris Arizona State University The University of Arizona ArtCenter College of Design Auburn University Bangkok University Baylor University Belmont University Beloit College Berklee College of Music Biola University Boise State University Boston College Boston University Brigham Young University Bryant University Bucknell University Butte College California Lutheran University California State Polytechnic University - Pomona California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo California State University, Channel Islands, Chico, Fresno, Fullerton, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Monterey Bay, Northridge, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Marcos, Stanislaus University of California, Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Merced, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz Case Western Reserve University Catholic University of America Chapman University Clemson University Colgate University University of Colorado at Boulder Colorado Christian University Colorado College Colorado State University Colorado State University Pueblo Columbia College Chicago Concordia University - Irvine Connecticut College University of Connecticut Cornell University Creighton University University of Denver DePaul University

Dickinson College Dominican University of California Drexel University Duke University Elon University Emerson College Fairfield University Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, San Diego Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, Los Angeles Fordham University Franklin University Switzerland George Fox University The George Washington University Georgia Institute of Technology Gettysburg College Gonzaga University Grand Canyon University University of Hawaii at Manoa Hillsdale College Hofstra University Howard University Humboldt State University University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Instituto Tecnologico y de EstudiosSuperioresdeMonterrey, Campus Guadalajara Ithaca College John Cabot University Johns Hopkins University University of Kansas Lafayette College Laguna College of Art and Design Lane Community College Lawrence University Lehigh University Lewis & Clark College Linfield College Louisiana State University Loyola Marymount University Loyola University New Orleans College of Marin Maryland Institute College of Art Marymount Manhattan College University of Massachusetts Dartmouth University of Massachusetts, Amherst Miami University, Oxford Michigan State University

Mission College Montana State University, Bozeman Monterey Peninsula College Napa Valley College University of Nevada, Reno University of New Mexico New York University The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill North Carolina State University Northeast Texas Community College Northeastern University Northern Arizona University Northwestern University Notre Dame de Namur University University of Notre Dame Occidental College Orange Coast College Oregon State University University of Oregon Otis College of Art and Design Pace University, New York City Pacific Union College University of the Pacific Pennsylvania State University Pepperdine University Pitzer College Point Loma Nazarene University University of Portland Princeton University Providence College University of Puget Sound Purdue University University of Redlands Regis University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rhode Island School of Design Rhodes College University of Richmond Rochester Institute of Technology Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Rutgers University-New Brunswick Sacred Heart University Saint Joseph’s University Saint Martin’s University Saint Mary’s College of California San Diego State University University of San Diego

WE BELIEVE, WE LOVE, WE WILL | WE ARE ALL HEART

San Francisco State University University of San Francisco San Jose State University Santa Barbara City College Santa Clara University Santa Rosa Junior College Seattle Pacific University Seattle University Seton Hall University Skidmore College Solano Community College Sonoma State University University of Southern California Southern Methodist University Southern Oregon University St. John’s University Susquehanna University Syracuse University The University of Tampa Temple University University of Tennessee, Knoxville Texas A&M University Texas Christian University Trinity College Tufts University Tulane University United States Army United States Naval Academy Universidad Panamericana University of British Columbia Okanagan Campus The University of Queensland Utah State University University of Utah Vassar College Villanova University University of Virginia Wake Forest University Washington and Jefferson College Washington College Washington State University University of Washington Wellesley College Wesleyan University Westmont College Whitworth University Willamette University William Woods University University of Wisconsin, Madison University of Wyoming Bold indicates at least one member of the Class of 2019 will attend this college in the Fall.

•

Welcome to the Class of 2022: 137 students join the Braves from 34 different schools, 15 different cities, and 3 local counties.

•

Faculty/staff retreat and ropes course challenge sets a tone of collaboration and problem solving to start a new year.

SEPTEMBER •

From creative arts to accounting, from social work to public service, and from medicine to law, and more—our students heard from alumni working throughout many industries at Vocation Day.

•

“Road Trip” themed Homecoming brought out school spirit and Braves pride; Sumaia Khoury ’19 and Feras Halabi ’19 were voted the 2018 Homecoming Queen & King.

• Braves Robotics opens 4th year of competition by adding a 3rd team— making it their biggest year yet.

•

Football home opener was a 61-0 win over Healdsburg, and a Kickoff Pasta Dinner for Braves fans set just the right tone. Join us on Aug. 23 to kick-off the 2019 season.

•

The annual Club Fair encourages all students to get involved in the rich co-curricular life of the school, and there is literally something for everyone.

•

Student leaders outline the All Heart theme for the year: We believe in the power of effort, standing together, something greater, and the Holy Presence of God.

•

Julia Sangiacomo ’19 makes 1,000 career kill early in the volleyball season in the new Vine Valley Athletic league. She went on to commit to play for Santa Clara for this fall.

•

The Admissions Office hosts the first of 14, well attended Brave for a Day shadow events for prospective families. Thank you to our student ambassadors for modeling service for these future Braves through their leadership and spirit.

•

Two JS seniors are selected as the only two Napa-area National Merit Scholar semi-finalists (one advances to be a finalist), and another seven are commended.

OCTOBER

•

Braves volunteers get a front row seat to some of golf’s greats like John Daly and Phil Mickelson while staffing a concession booth at the 18th hole of The Safeway Open. Funds raised go to Braves Alliance which supports Justin-Siena programs like athletics, arts, robotics, and mock trial!

•

From Middle School Nights to “PinkOuts” at Dodd Stadium, Friday nights bring out a great display of JS pride for current and future Braves.

•

Justin-Siena Theatre kicks off its 50th Anniversary with the stage classic, Our Town. Students also had the opportunity to work with Tappan Wilder, nephew of Thornton Wilder and literary executor of the Wilder estate.

•

The Students for Change Club get out the vote and host John Tuteur, the Napa County Registrar of Voters and County Clerk to discuss the importance of the voice of the youth in our communities and pre-register voters.

NOVEMBER •

ACCESS 707 online wine auction features some of the most sought-after and hard-to-get wines from our Sonoma and Napa Valleys.

•

Student leaders attend a luncheon with Bishop Vasa at the Diocesan Chancery in Santa Rosa. They joined student leaders from other area Catholic schools to engage in conversation about the practice of faith.

•

Admissions efforts go global as Alicia Valdivia takes part in a panel discussion with Amerigo Education CEO, Mr. Craig Pines, as they introduced Amerigo Education and Justin-Siena to major media representatives in Beijing, China.

•

Digital Leanring Days to advance student learning are debuted as an answer to days of poor air quality due to California wildfires.

•

Braves fall sports highlights: girls volleyball, water polo, and tennis earned VVAL championships.

VVAL and Co-Napa County Player of the Year, Julia Sangiacomo ‘19, led the volleyball team—advancing to the NCS semi-finals of NCS, while water polo was led by a group of up-andcoming players including Sarah Reynolds ’22, Meghan Hansen ’20, and Angelina Phinney ’21, among others. As captain, Jenna Curtola ‘19 led the tennis team along with Parvathi ‘20 and Priyanka Shanker ‘22, sisters faced each other for the VVAL Singles Championship. Football saw a thrilling home win over Napa and the 1st playoff win of Brandon LaRocco’s ’98 head coaching career, upsetting Piedmont in the 1st round of the NCS Playoffs followed by a road trip to Crescent City.

DECEMBER

JANUARY

FEBRUARY •

MARCH

APRIL

34th Annual Crab Fest is a big success that to all who attended, served at, volunteered for, and made it possible. It was a wonderful evening celebrating the community, and we are grateful for the support. See you 02.01.20

MAY •

Advanced Choir records an album produced by Mr. Graham Terry ’03 featuring 12 of the students’ favorite songs performed this year along with never-before-heard, original acapella arrangements arranged by the students.

• 225 students took 499 AP exams in 17 subjects..

•

The Lasallian Jubilee Year begins!

The Holy See declared the jubilee year to recognize the 300th anniversary of De La Salle’s entry into eternal life.

•

Season of Giving! Advisories adopt local families in need for Christmas and the Junior Leadership Class organizes a coat drive with the One Warm Coat organization. Students write thank you notes to all 900 veterans living in our neighboring Vets Home in Yountville in appreciation for their service to our country, and our Advanced Choral Class visits the Vets Home and to share their gift of song in a choral performance.

•

“Three Yellow Balloons in a Row,” a photo by Sean Flaherty ‘21, is selected out of 200+ entries in the Bank of Marin calendar competition for the cover photo.

•

• Inspired by the Tim Tebow Foundation’s Night To Shine event, JS students help host the Better Together Prom.

• Wonderful evening of gratitude and appreciation was had at the President’s Circle Reception.

First semester finishes with concerts, a Mass for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe followed by a tamale lunch for all, and a visit from St. Nick.

The spring musical production of Encore! is met with rave reviews as it honors the JS Theatre 50 year history with hit songs and stunning choreography from past, present, and future! Many alums were also part of the production and Mr. Tom Durante ’93 was a special Anniversary Honoree at the Gala Dinner on opening weekend.

•

Braves Mock Trial earns county champ status for 6th straight year, and artist Lauren Yung ’19 wins state award for courtroom artist.

•

Brand new softball field is blessed and ready for action. Thanks to Deacon Bruce Mirolglio ‘75 for offering a blessing.

•

During Easter break, 11 Justin-Siena students travel to France to meet up with the students they had hosted back in February to complete the circle of year-two of our Lasallian exchange program, LasalleGo. Their visit included Paris and an auspicious photo in front of Notre Dame Cathedral just hours before the devasting fire.

• It is “Mayhem on Maher Street” at the 8th season opening of ComedySportz.

•

•

Napa’s first ever Science Bowl teams took 3rd and 4th in the Department of Energy National Science Bowl regional competition hosted by Sandia National Laboratory.

•

•

Inspired by the Tim Tebow Foundation’s Night To Shine event, JS students help host the Better Together Prom with the full red carpet treatment and dancing to Wonderbread 5.

•

Justin-Siena Golf hosted its inaugural High School Classic sponsored by the Johnny Miller CHAMP Foundation. Andy Miller ‘96 (Johnny Miller’s son) golfed for the Braves and was on hand to greet the young golfers.

Mary Cate Hyde ‘19 and Satya Green-Cardona ‘19 earn 5th straight county win for the Braves in national Poetry Out Loud competition after taking 1st and 2nd at home.

•

Feeling the love! “Love and Tacos” on Valentine’s Day for the freshmen thanks to the high bidder at Crab Fest. Students enjoyed tasty treats from the taco truck and the sweets table.

•

One of three VENAVER service immersion trips this year, El Paso, Texas provides the perfect back drop to explore border issues and serve the community and a visit to Sierra de Cristo Rey.

•

Thanks to the success of the 2019 Fund A Need, much needed AC is installed in the 400 Wing, just in time for the end of the year warm up!

•

Braves winter sports highlights: wrestling earned an NCS Academic Championship. VVAL First Team All-League player Ashlee Whittemore ’19 led girls basketball to the VVAL tournament and NCS Playoff berth. Boys and girls soccer both made great strides forward in the new league and are primed for success next season, as is the boys basketball team, which finished strong with a win to keep rival Vintage out of the playoffs.

JUNE •

Students and staff select the following as being recipients of these annual distinguished awards—Br. Lawrence Award: Megan Alexander-Short ’07, LSL, Admissions; Holy Spirit Award: Marissa Bartalotti, Director of Guidance; Lasallian Educator of the Year Award: Emily Ciabatarri, Instructor in English.

More on our Grads . . .

We wish we had the space to talk about every one of them, but these snapshots should serve to illustrate their breadth of talent, passion, and heart.

• One student earned just one of only 50 full scholarships to BYU, where he will enroll after completing his 2-year mission to the Philippines.

• After Justin-Siena, 10 students will be continuing their Lasallian journeys in colleges operated by the Brothers.

• One student is following the call to serve as an EMT and will spend his time training in Utah.

• 11 graduates will continue their success as NCAA student-athletes in football, volleyball, soccer, tennis, and track & field.

•

Alumni parents of graduating seniors join us for a special Legacy Reception in advance of the Senior Awards Ceremony.

•

Senior Advisories cover Life Skills including self defense, healthy cooking on a budget with Mr. Bob Bailey, personal finance with Econ instructor Mr. Brandon LaRocco ’98, basic car care, safety, and maintenance led by Mr. Jake Spears.

•

Founders Day festivities from the talent show and the faculty vs. student basketball game to the tail-gating and games on the North Lawn is a favorite tradition for students and faculty alike—the ultimate celebration of community.

• Additionally, 7 graduates will go on to play baseball, softball, and football at California Community Colleges.

• Yet another student will be playing baseball in a post-graduate year at Deerfield Academy, a premier prep school in New England.

• 6 grads will pursue higher ed all over the world: France, Mexico, New Zealand, Switzerland, and Thailand.

• Braves spring sports highlights: boys lacrosse finished 2nd overall in the VVAL earning 2 NCS playoff wins to make the NCS semifinals. VVAL Player of the Year Allison Clark ’19 led girls lacrosse to finish 2nd in the VVAL and make the NCS playoffs. Qualifying for the State Meet, Gianna Troppy ’19 headlined a strong Track and Field team, while many runners set school and personal records. Softball played into the postseason with a strong Division 4 record. Baseball finished with a win over rival Sonoma, keeping the Dragons from an outright league championship. Boys tennis finished 3rd with a NCS playoff berth. Doubles team, Jose Antonio Chopitea ’19 and Jakob Schultz ’19, were VVAL Champions.

• 9 students are following their passions in the performing arts to Berklee College of Music, CSU Chico, Chapman University, Loyola University New Orleans, Napa Valley College, Northwestern University, and UC Santa Barbara • 2 young men will be serving our nation in the armed services.

• True to the heritage of our wine country locale, several graduates will be studying every element of the wine industry at Cal Poly, Davis, and Cornell.

• While 14 graduates will pursue degrees in engineering, nearly 30 students are headed off to college undecided but eager to explore their options.

Please pray for the Class of 2019 as they begin the next chapter in their lives. If you run into them, please congratulate them and continue to encourage them. As you are out and about in Napa, Solano, and Sonoma— or in places far away­­—please take time to brag about them. And if you live in one of their new communities, please contact us so that we can connect you—it would mean the world to have family close-by if they are far from home.

JUSTIN-SIENA is a Lasallian Catholic high school offering

MARK YOUR | CALENDAR

a college preparatory program that serves approximately 545 young men and women in grades 9–12. Founded in 1966 by the De La Salle Christian Brothers and the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael, the school is located on forty acres in the City of Napa and is in the Diocese of Santa Rosa. Justin-Siena serves a variety of students from Napa, Sonoma, Solano counties, and around the world.

First Day of School Thursday, August 15, 2019 Kick-Off Pasta Dinner Friday, August 23, 2019 Adjacent to Dodd Stadium Mass of the Holy Spirit Thursday, September 5, 2019 Patrons Plaza Safeway Open—Concessions October 25-29, 2019 Volunteer-based fundraiser for Braves Alliance Homecoming Rally Thursday, October 3, 2019 Clark Gym Homecoming/ Pre-Game Alumni Reception Braves vs. Sonoma Friday, October 4, 2019 Dodd Stadium Fall Theatre Production October 24-27, 2019 Location TBA Winter Instrumental Concert Saturday, November 16, 2019 Siena Hall

ACCESS 707 Online Wine Auction November 27-December 3, 2019 Online

Brave Art Show Sunday, April 26, 2020 Gasser Center Gallery

Christmas Choral Concert Saturday, December 7, 2019 The Chapel at Mont La Salle

Legacy Family Senior Send-off Tuesday, April 28, 2020 Christian Brothers Center

President’s Circle Reception Thursday, January 9, 2020 Location TBA

Founders Day Friday, May 1, 2020

ComedySportz High School League January 23-26, 2020 Siena Hall 35th Annual Crab Fest Saturday, February 1, 2020 Clark Gym Alumni Hall of Honor Tuesday, March 3, 2020 Spring Musical March 20-29, 2020 Lincoln Theater Class of 2024 Welcome Night Thursday, April 2, 2020 Alumni/Senior Luncheon Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Spring Music Concert Saturday, May 2, 2020 Siena Hall A Taste of Justin-Siena Friday, May 15, 2020 Baccalaureate Mass Wednesday, May 27, 2020 Patrons Plaza Graduation Thursday, May 28, 2020 North Lawn Alumni Reunion Classes of ’10, ’05,’00, ’95, ’90, ’85, ’80, ’75, ’70 Saturday, July 18, 2020 On Campus

JUSTIN-SIENA ANNUAL FUND: Transforming Lives As we celebrate the Class of 2019 and reflect on the 2018-19 school year, we recognize and are especially grateful for the many blessings that we share as a school community. We remain steadfast in our ongoing commitment to excellence in education and the opportunity to enrich the lives of the students entrusted to our care.

THEATRE STUDIES CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY, CLASS OF ’23

EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY & ECOLOGY PRINCETON UNIVERSITY, CLASS OF ’23

BIOLOGY UC SANTA BARBARA, CLASS OF ’23

Make your gift online today at www.justin-siena.org/support