BRAVESBROADCAST

BRAVES BROADCAST

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Dean Ruggiero ’76 is a leading local freelance photographer whose work has been shown in the Napa Valley Register and even in this issue of Avanti! Steve Maloney ’80 has spent over 25 years selling analytics software. He was awarded Seller of the Year at Salesforce/HLS, IBM Analytics, Oracle Analytics, HPE, and Hyperion. He attributes his success to being educated in a small liberal arts environment where debate, collaboration, and thoughtful consideration are tenants. Fondly recalling JSHS, he hopes to be involved in alumni engagement with students, especially in the area of career development and living with purpose. Rich Salvestrin ’82 - Salvestrin Winery’s Cabernet Sauvignon, Dr. Crane Vineyards was listed as the #9 wine in the world by Wine Spectator. Vince D’Adamo ’91 covered football games throughout the valley during the 2021 High School season for the Napa Valley Register. Vince no longer works full time as a sports writer, but does periodic work for the Register and other local papers. Kevin Kress ’91 was recently featured in the Sonoma Valley Sun magazine in an article about his restaurant, Reel & Brand in Sonoma. Kevin bought the restaurant in 2018 and has worked to slowly turn it into his own. Olivia O’Brien (A) performed at the most recent Bottlerock Music Festival in Napa. Jaret Paulson ’92, a California Highway Patrol Officer, continues to give back to the community as a central part of our “Smart Start” parent and teen driving program. His son Wyatt is in the class of 2024. Diego Garcia ’94 has returned to the Napa Valley and is now working for the law firm of Dickenson, Peatman, and Fogarty as an attorney. Diego specializes in General Business Litigation, Bad Faith and Insurance Coverage, and Property Insurance. Diego has stayed in contact with Justin-Siena as a member of the Alumni Council. Ian MacMillan ’97 led the St. Helena Saints varsity football team to an NCL-I Championship and the #2 seed in the Division VII section playoffs. The team made it all the way to the championship game. Also coaching with MacMillan is fellow alum Steve Shifflett ’75. Brandon LaRocco ’98, Head Coach of the Braves Varsity Football team, led the team to a 7-6 record this past season, including a trip to the Division VI NCS Championship game, which the Braves lost 28-26. Coaching with Brandon are fellow alumni Tyler Streblow ’04, Spencer Joske ’10, Diano Pachote ’14, and Tyler Brazil ’19. LaRocco is married to Miranda (Welsh) LaRocco ’01, and they live in Vacaville with their 3 children, Payton, Jordyn, and Anthony. Jeff Dodd ’00 was named in the North Bay Business Journal’s top Forty Under 40. Jeff is a partner at Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass LLP.

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Aspegren ’02 (B) are both coaching baseball at the collegiate level and recently competed against each other. Aspegren coaches at Appalachian State and Stromdahl is currently coaching at Georgia State. Ryan Harrison ’02 was honored as the “Attorney of the Year” by the Wiley Manuel Bar Association of Sacramento County. Ryan works for Jackson Lewis P.C. in the Sacramento area in Labor and Employment Law. As a member of our Alumni Council, Ryan stays connected with his alma mater. He participated in our Social Justice alumni panel this past spring.

Tim ’03 and Raquel ’03 (Paniagua)

Gatto expanded their branding studio to a Downtown Napa location in 2021. They run Gatto Rivera Branding with their business partner, Antonio Rivera. Specializing in package design for the wine, beer, and spirits industries, they work collaboratively with their clients to develop meaningful brand stories that resonate and sell. Aileen Savage ’04 (C) was voted Best of the North Bay for Photo Services (2020), and runner up for Napa Valley’s Finest Photographer (2021) for her work capturing the precious moments of newborns within their first nine days. She has had the pleasure of doing this for many alums! Kyle Dunkle ’07 is living in New Zealand where he is the owner and inspiration for “Uncle Dunkle’s” wood-fired chili and chili bbq sauces.

Kyleigh (McAhren) Greely ’08 and

Becky Lohwasser ’07 returned to Justin-Siena as the junior varsity volleyball coaches.

Alison (Bassett) Nitzsche ’09,

(D) was married to Craig Nitzsche on August 14, 2021, in a private ceremony held in the Napa Valley.

Shea Boles ’10 is a captain in the US Air Force while completing her residency after receiving her medical degree from the Stritch School of Medicine at Loyola University. Ivan Colin ’11 is curating six paintings at Cafe Velo in Bellingham, Washington, while working as a graphic designer and marketing associate for Signs Plus, Inc. His vibrant work “draws inspiration from movement, fluidity, and nature.” Evan Roscoe ’11, (E) photographer and documentarian has built an impressive resumé working with wineries and other local brands. His most recent work includes, “The Barber,” which documents the life of Salvador Renteria. He is currently working on a yet-to-be-named film about Rogelio Garcia’s rise from dishwasher to chef at The French Laundry. Marc Castellucci ’13 is a firefighter with the St. Helena Fire Department where he was on the front lines of the Glass Fire and an essential worker during the pandemic. Nathan Krill ’14 has continued his basketball career overseas. After a season in Switzerland that saw him help lead his team to the championship series, he is now playing for Omonia, located in Nicosia, Cyprus, and the team is off to a 4-4 start. Nathan is averaging a double-double, scoring 13 points and grabbing 13 rebounds per game. Haley Cremen ’14 is the program assistant for the Golden State Warriors Basketball Academy where she works in an administrative and coaching role. Haley also volunteers for the Varsity Girls Basketball team at Justin-Siena. Anne Marie Medonsa ’12 (F) started two wine labels, Camrose Wines and Calazor Wines. Camrose donates $1 from every bottle sold to the pediatric brain tumor and cancer community Diano Pachote ’15, (G) an accomplished two-sport star for the Braves now works at Justin-Siena as a Student Support Associate, and also coaches football and baseball. Nick Troppy ’15 received his associates degree from Napa Valley College and is currently managing vineyards. Jordan Dunkley ’16 graduated from Point University in Georgia where he also pitched for two years for the Hawks. Dunkley is now a recreation aid in the United States Air Force, stationed in Arizona. Nik Dodson ’16 had a successful pitching career at NAIA Waldorf University and is now pursuing a career as a firefighter. Dodson will also be serving as a part time coach for the Braves this spring.

Christian Maldonado-Bon ’16

graduated from the University of Portland and is now working for Nike in their marketing and social media departments. Yesenia Villasenor ’16 is working as a fashion designer in Mexico City after graduating from California College of the Arts. Tyler Bertani ’17 is working as a singer/songwriter in the greater Bay Area as a part of Honey Co. Music.

Allyssa Mick-McKinzie ’17

graduated from UC Berkeley in 2021, with a BA in Sociology. She is working at the US Forest Service Regional Office on the Public Service Staff focusing on Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. She just finished a draft report on barriers to people of color in visiting National Forests. Sean Prasad ’17 graduated in 2021 from St. Mary’s College with a degree in Political Science. Having moved to our nation’s Capitol, Sean hopes to make his mark on the political scene. Mathieu Sanders ’17 (H) graduated from the Military Academy at West Point. Sanders received the Superintendent’s Award which signifies that he was in the top 15 percent of his class across all fields of achievement. Aidan Willard ’17 - After coaching with the Braves for a season, Willard resumed his football career at Division II Black Hill State University where he finished second in passing as a dual threat quarterback. Nick Lenz ’17 has assumed a leadership position in his family’s business, Civic Center Towing, Transport and Road Service. Dawson Del Dotto ’17 (I) is currently working for Larry’s Produce in Fairfield as a farmer. Dawson is growing many different vegetables, including sweet corn, pumpkins, peppers, tomatoes, and many varieties of squash. Dawson said about his work, “I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Alejandra Alvarado-Basulto ’18

was recently hired at Justin-Siena as Student Life Assistant while she is finishing her degree in Business Administration at Sonoma State. Caitlin Mayo ’18 recently left for her deployment on the Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier out of Norfolk, VA, and will be gone for up to 6 months. Caitlin is a petty officer 2nd class, E5 in the Navy. Rebecca Reynolds ’18 competed for the UC Davis Women’s Water Polo team this past season as a utility player. Hannah Chau ’18, the 2017-18 Napa Valley Register Athlete of the Year, continues her highly decorated

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career as a sophomore at UC Irvine. In 2021, she earned Big West AllAcademic Honors and the Big West Championship in the 10000m. Cole Cummings ’18 - After a successful JUCO stint as a forward at San Diego Miramar, Cummings transferred to Sonoma State where he will be coached by former Braves Head Coach Dave Granucci. Kendall Martin ’18 will be a redshirt sophomore in the javelin for the Gauchos. Martin is majoring in Communications and looks to build off her 11th place Big West showing as a freshman. John Nessman ’18 (J) is currently a senior Anthropology major at UC Berkeley. This past summer he participated in an eight week field study program at an archaeological dig site on the island of Menorca, Spain. Luigi Albano-Dito ’19 transferred to Cuesta College after two years at College of Marin where he saw significant action as a two-way player on the mound and at the plate. Maxx Castellucci ’19 is pitching at Sacramento CIty College for the perennial powerhouse Panthers. Michael Fitzgerald ’19 earned second team honors for a 7-3 Monterey Peninsula College team that earned a berth in the American Championship Bowl Landon Mispagel ’19 is majoring in Pre-Biology at UCSB where he will be competing in his redshirt freshman season in 110m hurdles. Juan Carlos Mora ’19 (K) After interning for Cornerstone Government Affairs over the summer, Mora recently spoke at the California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s annual statewide convention as a CAPS Fellow and advocate for the implementation of a Small Business Living Wage grant. Mora attends George Washington University. Julia Sangiacomo ’19 passed the 1,000 kill mark while leading Santa Clara University volleyball as one of the best players in the West Coast Conference. After a slow start, the Broncos finished the season winning 4 of their last 5 matches. Conrad Say ’19 (L) continues to run circles around the competition. A junior at Johns Hopkins University studying Cellular and Molecular Biology, Conrad is a Division I Track & Field athlete who is finding time to fit in MCAT prep. Mikaela Zeiter ’19 is currently a cheerleader at Northeastern University while studying Cell and Molecular Biology with a minor in Business Administration. Her brother, Nick ’21, also attends the prestigious school. Gianna Troppy ’19 was named to Biola University’s Dean’s List for academic excellence. Gianna is a Business Administration major. Eva Cleary ’20 earned first team honors for the Bay Valley Conference as the leading outside hitter for the Napa Valley College Storm (led by former Braves Head Coach Chelsea Reilley) who enjoyed their best season in several years Gabe Cornejo ’20 After spending a season as a pitcher and catcher for the Solano Community College Falcons, Cornejo is preparing to enter the United States Air Force.

Marcus Nunes ’20 and Blake

Hoban ’20 were both members of the football team at Diablo Valley College this past season. Nunes finished the season with 22 tackles. The team finished 6-4 overall. Miles Williams ’20 is in the midst of his second season on the 7-5 Marshall University football team. Josiah Gutierrez ’21, the former Napa County Offensive Player of the Year (soccer) earned second team All Bay Valley Conference honors for the Storm, who after starting the season 0-8, surged back to earn a postseason berth. Megan Hanson ’21, the 2021 Napa County Player of the Year is currently a freshman at UC Irvine where the Anteaters are enjoying a great turnaround season with a record of 17-13, their best record since 2017. Connor Machado ’21 (M) After a standout lacrosse career at JS, Machado is majoring in Computer Science while suiting up as a midfielder for Vassar College.

Chantelle Mendoza ’21 (N)

is enjoying her first year as a Biomedical Engineering student at Johns Hopkins University. She spent this Thanksgiving on the East Coast with her parents, brother Ramiro ’15 and sister Rochelle ’13. Seth Morrison ’21 has 16 tackles as a defensive back for the Division III Whittier Poets. Casey Potrebic ’21 is preparing to compete in the decathlon while studying at Carnegie Melon. Noah Young ’21, the offensive force for the Braves is currently playing outfield for Division II Cal State East Bay.