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EXPANDING ON AN EYE-OPENING EXPERIENCE
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IT’S PERSONAL “Fulfill your ministry with all the affection of your heart.” St. John Baptist de La Salle teaches us that to reach the mind of a child, we must first touch their heart. Justin-Siena is proud to continue our mission of shaping the lives of our young people by leading with love. The environment, the education, the energy, all create a place where an ALLHEART experience happens.
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AVANTI • FALL 2023 A RISING TIDE.....................................................1
PERFORMANCE ART.....................................39
HOMECOMING 2023..................................... 3
BRAVES ALLIANCE........................................43
HITTING THE GROUND RUNNING.......5
A BRAVE LEGACY...........................................45
TAKING A BOW................................................. 8
BRAVES RE-UNITED.....................................47
BRAVES THESE DAYS............................ 11
EATING AND EQUITY....................................53
PEACE WITHIN OUR REACH. . .............19
MAJOR IMPACT................................................57
COME AND SEE...............................................21
FAMILY VALUES...............................................58
JUMP FOR JOY................................................25
GIFTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS.. ............59
WE KEEP ACE-ING IT.. .......................... 27
IN MEMORIAM .........................................61
ANOTHER SIDE OF US..........................31
LEGACY CIRCLE......................................62
TAKING THE HELM .....................................35
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Mike Soldati - Chair Patrick Gleeson ’85 Vice Chair Erica Alfaro-Lopez ’06 Sr. Susan Allbritton, OP Diego Garcia ’94 Eric Gonzales Dianne Harris, M.D. Elaine John Cathy Molinelli Br. Robert Wickman, FSC
FOUNDATION BOARD Tim Malloy ’87-Chair Manbin Monteverdi Eric Gonzales Brendan Kelly Michael Holman JUSTIN-SIENA LEADERSHIP TEAM Matthew D. Powell, President Joe Welling, Principal Kate Bock, Director of Human Resources Andrea Flores, Vice President for Advancement
Alma Gallegos, Assistant Principal and Director of LEAP Khiely Jackson, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Nick Roberts, Vice President for Finance Alicia Valdivia Vice President for Enrollment Management PUBLISHING CREDITS Justin-Siena Communications Team: Michele Farver, Beth Fenton, Andrea Flores, and Jeremy Tayson
CONTRIBUTORS Samantha Ayvar ’17, Dominic Contini, Lauren Ervin ’23, Jonas Gonzales ’20, Kathy Kellebrew, Nic Meerholz: SeaTimber Media, Thom McDermott, Diano Pachote ’14, Shelby CramerPadgett ’24, Eric Thompson: Shamboolzed Media, Bohao Zhang ’27 GRAPHIC DESIGN/CONSULTING Marsha Sanchez AVANTI is a Justin-Siena magazine for alumni, families, and friends. Comments and/or editorial contributions can be sent to Jeremy Tayson at jtayson@justin-siena.org. The school reserves the right to publish and/or edit material to reflect the values of our mission.
Justin-Siena is a Catholic high school in the Lasallian tradition called to provide educational excellence in a loving, Christ-centered community that prepares students to serve and to lead in an ever-changing world.
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RISING A TIDE What has allowed Justin-Siena to strengthen our place in the communities we serve?
Aspirations Bringing their eager minds to campus, our 650+ students set the tone
New Energy Justin-Siena steadfastly invests in our educators by creating several new positions that underscore our values
Commitment The generosity of our community continues to reach never-before-seen heights while shining a spotlight on our signature hospitality
Excellence In and out of the classroom, our students simply shine
Milestones Our alumni are celebrating the increasing opportunities to reunite AVA N T I M AG A Z I N E 2
Homecoming 2023
DON’T STOP US NOW...
WE’RE HAVING SUCH A
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GOOD TIME!
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Hitting the Ground Running
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Principal Joe Welling—A welcome addition to our expanding community What do Lasallians do really well? They say “yes.” It was this mantra that new Justin-Siena principal (and avid runner), Joe Welling practiced when discerning whether to take on the role. When your next professional move is to leave a comfortable and accepting school community to relocate your family to an unfamiliar city, there is much to consider. “There are two things that push me to accept an opportunity: joy and challenge,” shares Welling. With that in mind, Joe responded “yes,” and hit the ground running! For him, education invokes both of these key components. In a profession that is experiencing a mass exodus, joy and challenge invigorated his desire to serve. “Joy for joy’s sake is great, but mixed with rigorous tasks–that to me, is the perfect balance in life. That is why I run. It is equally as joyful as it is difficult.”
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“I had incredible teachers growing up and both my parents were educators,” says Welling. Although he initially fought the call to teach, after just one year of volunteering in the classroom, he experienced the joy and felt the pull to accept the challenges. Digging into the chaos of curriculum and academics, and working with educators were additional steps in deepening his commitment to serving our Lasallian schools. Each time he was presented with an opportunity to serve, he sensed being aligned with his calling. “I felt more like myself. And the more we feel like ourselves, the more we can serve authentically. This belief is what brought me to Justin-Siena,” affirmed Welling. Having never had a vocational transition as large as his move to Napa, Welling appreciates that Lasallian schools are built on hospitality and quickly become family. For him, the most difficult part of his discernment process was questioning, “Do I have the courage to be vulnerable to a completely new community after being fully accepted at my previous one?” Any natural intimidation quickly disappeared when he arrived at JustinSiena. Conversations with students led the way. “These students have a great sense of humor. They are authentic and confident, and this being familiar to me, provided the reinforcement I needed to go forward confidently.” Welling strives for consistency and balance in all realms of his life. “My demeanor and my value system are the same at seven in the morning and seven at night,” he notes. He believes that educators should blend their personal and professional values–especially at a community-based school like Justin-Siena. He maintains that when teachers stand in front of students, they are trusted to bring their whole selves to that role, not just their expertise. One of the responsibilities he takes on as principal is to develop structures and supports that enhance the professional capabilities of each educator with hopes of them discovering their own joy. For Welling, although doing something new comes with challenges, it also comes with opportunities for personal growth and betterment. Welling said “yes” to Justin-Siena and then put one foot in front of the other. Much like while running, he is reaping the benefits and rewards of commitment and feeling joyful doing so.
Joy for joy’s sake is great, but mixed with rigorous tasks–that to me, is the perfect balance in life.
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Lasallian Educator Retirement
Taking a Bow Mr. Day as a student with Br. Conrad Kearney
Jim Day ’72, taught for 22 years
Like the venerable Mr. Chips of fictional fame, The very real Mr. Day left his mark on every Brave. We’ll remember Every fiery lecture on ancient civilizations, brought to vivid life with poetic verve. The way he encouraged us to learn, and was the very model of what it meant to serve. Every conversation, between colleague, student, guest, alum, He made us feel known, and seen, and truly, very truly loved. In kind words, and thoughtful truths, in gentle jokes and pithy barbs, Every person left feeling better, happier, enriched, enlarged. Every lecture, every song, every dramatic part, A testament to his talent, to his nature, to his heart. We’ll remember Every class, every show, every meeting, every day Kairos tears and antique toaster fires, Hearty guffaws and manifestly genuine smiles, The old storyteller, and old Saint Nick, He was our exemplar of both emotion and logic. He was our Stage Manager, our Colonel Pickering, Our Charlamagne He made us proud but critical of all those amber waves of grain. He said what needed to be said, and loved those who needed love, Regardless of race or creed, being oneself was enough. Goodbye, Mr. Day and thank you for every memory, etched in our minds as if in wood Goodbye, Mr. Day and thank you. Goodbye for now, though not for good. By Alex Hesser, Jim Day’s colleague for 14 years AVA N T I M AG A Z I N E
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Lasallian Educator Retirement
Taking a Bow
Georgine Clarke (36 years) was an influential part of our school while guiding our students through their religious studies. She always kept our Lasallian Core Principles forefront when teaching, and lived them daily; those who learned from her are better people because of it. We wish her well in retirement!
Leanne Iund (23 years) is noted for her thorough and reliable work done “behind the scenes” for the Business Office. Loyal to the Justin-Siena community, Leanne is an alumni parent (Jon ’08) who steadfastly served the school. 9
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Adopt a Family Christmas
Ending the Year with Cheer
Led by our Student Ambassadors, the third annual Advisory Adopt a Family project checked everything off of Santa’s list for forty families in need! The effects of this campus-wide contribution of care is felt across our entire community. A special thank you to our partners: Abode Services, Agape, Catholic Charities, NVUSD, and Puertas Abiertas. AVA N T I M AG A Z I N E 1 0
Braves These Days
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Every day there is an undeniable energy on Justin-Siena’s campus—an energy that comes with a youthful presence that is moving toward something exciting and important. Like generations before them, today’s adolescents spend time with peers, study, compete, celebrate, and navigate toward the next phase of their lives. We spoke to a few students from different walks of life, with unique goals, flipping the script on what it is to be a typical teenager today and how their individual experiences as Braves assist in redefining that conventional wisdom.
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Braves These Days
Jason ’24 How has your time here informed your future? Coming to Justin-Siena from a public middle school, I realized my ability to adapt to new environments helped me through unexpected challenges. Learning to adapt is like learning a new language; it takes practice and fortitude. This translated across both academics and athletics. Those aspects of my life are profoundly important to me; I channeled that resilience when I needed to make sacrifices for my education, and I continue to channel it as I look to my future.
“I value my education over my sports. But I do love my sports -I want to be great at both, which takes time.”
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I want to do my best at every stage of the journey. My dad says, “What you know will get you through the door, but your determination and motivation will allow those doors to stay open.” I am never guaranteed success, but I can take what I’ve learned and apply it to the real world. His guidance and example encouraged my passion for entrepreneurship, and my time in high school, particularly taking AP Macroeconomics, provided the preparation I need to reach my goals. Entrepreneurship is risky, but my resilience comes with me. It’s like when it’s the bottom of the 7th, you’re at bat, and in baseball it is nine defenders against one batter. When the odds are stacked against me, I’ll accept the risk and tackle it with confidence.
Olivia ’24 What are your hopes for yourself moving forward? As we walk through our daily lives, it can be difficult to see the bigger picture that allows us to empathize with others and their experiences. Comfortable in our own situations and concerned only with issues at hand, we naturally look to history books to acknowledge where mistakes were made, condemning past behaviors. However, it is my hope for myself and my generation that we recognize where change and justice are needed today and act now. We have the power to unite and take action together. I’ve always been an independent person and I approach most tasks with discipline, motivated by my desire to succeed. I believe there is a lot of value in showing dedication to a task or project as it presents itself–instead of committing to a lifelong passion that may fizzle along the way. If I invest in each problem with verve and determination, I expect it to lead to long term change, but I can’t do anything alone. As much as I trust my drive, I always will seek out and nurture relationships with a wide range of people and perspectives to help me along the way. While I want to make change, it takes teaming up with many people different from me to start a movement.
“The more knowledge I gain, the more my views change, and I take pride in my ability to adapt to those changes.”
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Harper ’24 Opportunity opens doors. How have you walked through them? I’ve had a number of passions throughout my life, but the ones that demanded a steeper learning curve or better understanding kept my interest and ultimately led to my professional passion within the sports industry–specifically sports management. Without saying “yes” to unexpected opportunities, I would not have discovered this career path. Simply wanting a better vantage point at a football game led to my spontaneously accepting an invitation to be the team’s water girl. Finding that experience so enjoyable, I wanted to try it again with another team, which ultimately led to being named team manager for girls basketball and baseball. Both sports were new to me and I was excited by the challenge of learning new things. I believe that asking questions helps build relationships with people, which in turn opens doors. My strategy was to make connections with a lot of people, in hopes of developing symbiotic relationships, and it worked well for me.
“Talking with and getting to know Justin-Siena staff and coaches opened up a new sports industry world to me.”
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I think I’ve opened doors for others, too. While I wasn’t aware of other student managers when I began this process, I now know other students who want to try team management. I’m leaving a little legacy.
Sebastian ’25 What stimulates your curiosity? I think a lot about what I don’t know. I believe if we really put effort into learning just basic things, and investing the time to really delve into learning all about them, there is more understanding–perhaps leading to acceptance of other things. I invest much of my time to studying math, physics, and computer science. Those are really fun. These courses force me to think critically and really expand my viewpoints. Christian Living is one such course. The concepts can be difficult to understand, but I believe they challenge my horizons in ways that STEM courses do not. It is like anything in life, whether it’s dedication to exercise or just trying a new skill–if I push myself to learn it and get better at it, I will. I like being better. When I apply that approach to my Christian Living course, I can find joy seeing things through new lenses. It seems like people don’t always push themselves to understand new things, and even I certainly try to take the easier road sometimes. However, I would gently encourage everyone, including my peers, to learn a little about a lot of different things. Be proactive in diversifying your viewpoint. Maybe care a little bit more. I know right now we are busy being teenagers and planning for the future, but it is always good, at any stage of life, to be curious and to start caring more.
“I want to learn 50% for my own satisfaction. The other 50% is for other people.”
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Braves These Days
Adam ’24 You are at an expectant age. From where do you source your confidence and empowerment? It is easy to be confident when everyone wants you to succeed and helps you to achieve that success. The bar is set high for us, but because realistic expectations are set, it never feels out of reach. The demands placed on us during this integral time in our lives contribute to choices we make each day; when we reach our daily goals, we find more motivation and courage. I’m ready to be thrown into the deep end of the pool. Each life stage has a beginning, middle, and an end and I am ready to start again. When you’ve had a hand on your back as I have, you are prepared for the times it is not there–like next year when I will be on my own. You cannot control change and the clock doesn’t stop. Most people might consider that to be scary, but I don’t. I know through lessons learned and guidance from family, faculty, and friends, I have the tools needed to move forward with confidence.
“It’s difficult to fail when everyone around you wants you to succeed and is also lifting each other up.”
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Pamela ’24 In your experience, is there a difference between changing and evolving? Yes. Change is moving from one thing to another and can be positive or negative. Evolving is taking your past self, and shedding the struggles and negativity to become a better version of yourself. Being authentic and learning from mistakes moves us forward in a positive way, helping us tackle other areas demanding change. There are tense topics in the world that need attention with regards to crucial changes. As a community we cannot just ignore them. We have to come face to face with changing things, even if it makes us uncomfortable or scared. It is our generation’s responsibility to try to make things better. Theatre has helped me gain perspective and confidence, and provided me with a great opportunity to be brave. When I am on stage, I don’t have time to worry–I just go out there and hopefully nail it. Being put in someone else’s shoes, I become more empathetic and that can be where evolution begins. There is always room to grow and as a society we want to do it. Big, positive changes are possible! I think my generation’s best asset is that any time we don’t like something, we try to do something about it. I have much faith in our ability to succeed. “I think there’s hope. There’s always
“There is always room to grow. As a society we want to grow. That is possible. That is our thing. I have a lot of faith in our community as a whole.” AVA N T I M AG A Z I N E
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LEAVE TO SERVE PEACE WITHIN OUR REACH
As a part of the International Lasallian Days for Peace (ILDP) we are called to live out this year’s theme, “Peace Within Our Reach.” Let us simply begin with living peace through our words, actions, and deeds. This invitation began here in our Justin-Siena community at a September prayer service that signified the start of our ILDP celebration. The impetus for the prayer service came from nine of our students who attended the Lasallian Youth Assembly, “Migration at the Crossroads–Leaven for Justice,” in San Diego. Having been moved by their experience living, learning, and serving with ten other Lasallian high schools, they wanted to educate and share their learnings here at home. To set the stage, Grayson Cushing ’25, Adelyn McDevitt ’26, Carolina Neeb ’24, and Diego Bon ’24 summarized the group’s time, led a prayer for peace, and read a symbolic bilingual poem, by Zakarias Zafra. The highlight of the service came from the powerful testimonies of Jesus Arechiga ’24 and Caliana Hoffmann ’25. Arechiga reflected, “It became obvious to me that immigration is not just an abstract issue but a deeply personal and multifaceted journey for those striving for a better life. This transformative experience ignited a fire within me to make a positive change in my community wherever I can. I now understand the importance of advocating for more informed discussions.” Hoffman shared how the experience left a lasting impression. “Serving at the migrant shelter in Tijuana made me realize how little I knew going into this experience. We met people who were coming with hopes for better and safer lives–young adults and kids our age traveling by themselves, not knowing their futures. I feel a responsibility to play a role in spreading awareness about the realities of the process people face as they try to seek a better life.”
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VENAVER
COME AND SEE
On every VENAVER excursion
(Arizona, Texas, Montana), participants explore their faith and the lived reality of others who yearn for justice and strive with hope. Through the lens of experiential learning and Catholic Social Thought, students deeply immerse themselves in a new community to explore current social issues in a safe environment.
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“Our experience on VENAVER El Paso was amazing. Learning that all humans are connected, regardless of the borders that separate us, was empowering. When we served migrants at a shelter, I learned that while borders and languages may separate us, we all come from the same God, who has put us on this earth with a plan. This is an experience that I would recommend for all students; it really helped me to grow as a person.” Hayden Hodges ’24
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JUMP FOR JOY (22-23 RESULTS)
7 VVAL CHAMPIONS
6 NCS SCHOLASTIC PENNANTS 2 NCS INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONS 4 NCS TOP THREE TEAM FINISHES 5 VVAL MVPS 62 ALL-LEAGUE AWARD WINNERS 77 TOTAL MEDALS 2 5 FA L L 2 0 2 3
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6 Straight VVAL Titles. 71 Straight Wins.
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ING IT
Since the inception of the VVAL in 2018, no team has better represented excellence than girls tennis.
What makes these teams winners?
The culture of the tennis program is rooted in the application of Lasallian core values which is reflected at the beginning and end of each practice and match through team prayer. Players are expected to respect the game, each other, and the school they represent. Students coming out for the tennis team are intelligent and eager to learn situational tennis. Captains are called to look after the new freshmen on and off the courts. Longtime coaches Jim Reilly and Jack Ring engage with the players, understanding each student’s interests and goals. These athletes enter the program as freshmen, having only recently graduated from middle school, and leave as young women prepared to face their college careers.
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ORDER ON THE COU VVAL MVPS PARVATHI SHANKER ’21 (2018) PARVATHI SHANKER ’21 (2019) PRIYANKA SHANKER ’22 (2020) BRYN HOGAN ’25 (2022)
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RT NCS SINGLES CHAMPION PRIYANKA SHANKER ’22 (2020)
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ANOTHER SIDE OF US
To “Go D1” is quite the accomplishment in today’s world. It does not come without immense personal costs. There is, however, far more to these student-athletes than labels, accolades, and accomplishments might tell us. 3 1 FA L L 2 0 2 3
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Winner Competitive Smart Athletic Hard-working Kind Focused Passionate Team player Consistent Coachable Phenom Mature Star Lucky Overachiever Skilled Strong Tough Disciplined Gifted Bold Decisive BRAVE AVA N T I M AG A Z I N E
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Everet Johnson ’24, UC Davis • VVAL Playoff Champion ’22 •V VAL Offensive Player of the Year All-VVAL; Napa County Player of the Year ’23 •N apa County Offensive Player of the Year ’22 • Napa County Newcomer of the Year ’21 People may not see that while I am funny, laugh a lot, and try to have a good time, I am also shy. Others often see me on the field as focused and competitive, but I am also a person who cares and wants the best for everyone.
Lila Heffernan ’24, Stanford
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• 2023 NCS Champion • CIF State Qualifier ’22, ’23 • Scholastic All-American •H olds the school record in every individual event and two relays
Anna Hanson ’24, St. Mary’s College • 2 x VVAL Champion ’21, ’23 • VVAL MVP ’23 • 3x All-VVAL ’21-23
When I care about something as I do about volleyball, I take it to heart and put 100% of my effort into it. People do not realize that though I might appear like I’m confident or tough, I can actually be sensitive and vulnerable, especially about things that truly matter to me.
I seem pretty serious, but I actually have a funny side. You have to have balance. You have to make sure you are having fun with anything. If you have humor, you are an actual person, not just a robot. It makes you human. I even had lots of fun with Justin-Siena’s improv comedy! While my schedules no longer allow my participation, I always had a blast.
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TAKING THE HELM
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Technical Theatre Students Learn How to Bring Productions to Life Justin-Siena’s fall production, Treasure Island, started even before the lights went down. With the audience surrounding three sides of the performance space and the bow of the ship representing the elevated portion of the stage, the work was multiplied for the theatre technicians responsible for scenery, lighting, and sound, as well as for the actors themselves. Choreography and blocking needed to be carefully designed to provide the optimal experience for the audience, no matter where they were seated. With viewers so close to the action, great attention to detail was required. Although double the work, it was worth it! Both cast and crew were challenged by being introduced to unique staging techniques that helped them grow as individuals, performers, and creators. In an effort to engage students across all facets of our productions, Justin-Siena offers a Technical Theatre course, now taught for two years by Mr. Jeff Sharp. Shows such as Treasure Island, with intricate, laborintensive sets, present students with opportunities to learn firsthand what is encompassed in making a live production. Students in the course participate in the building and running of all school productions; this type
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of experiential learning is fun and rewarding. For Treasure Island, students built platforms, assembled and painted scenery, set up technical gear, and essentially ran the show! Sharp shared, “We are excited to see how the course grows and look forward to expanding the level of student participation in the performing arts both on and off stage.”
“Working with Mr. Sharp has been an incredible experience. He’s taught us about every aspect of technical theatre and has really shown me that a theatrical production cannot work without the tech crew. The process of bringing the show to life gives everyone a chance to creatively contribute.” Andrea Gates ’25, Stage Manager of Treasure Island.
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Enrolling students with diverse skill sets, elective courses like Technical Theatre engage the senses and demand new ways to think critically. Creativity and problem solving are used beyond the traditional classroom environment in practical, hands-on ways with real-world applications. Zoe Bolger ’24 explains the impact of the course: “Working back stage the past three years has provided me with the practical knowledge needed to help run a production, as well as allowing me to be part of a community of driven, hardworking, and kind people. Though perhaps not what most people think of as an ’arts elective,’ Technical Theatre is essential to teaching our dedicated tech crew skills that are highly transferable to other areas of life. Teamwork, communication, and organization are all important for success.”
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PERFORMANCE
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E ART
WHAT’S BEHIND MY BRAVE FACE Over the winter, 26 Graphic Design students had their self-portraits accepted into the “Youth Art Show” at the Steve Rogers Gallery in the Yountville Community Center.
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Thank you for helping us grow! 20-21 $53,000+
22-23 $128,000+
21-22 $99,000+
ALLHEART PLATINUM The Gonzales Group/ Merrill Lynch Sangiacomo Family Wines ALLHEART Fontanella Family Winery Keller Family Real Estate Coldwell Banker Malloy, Imrie & Vasconi Insurance Services 3 Badge Bev Corp and Don and Sons Inc.
GOLD Jenny Gass Coldwell Banker Shanahan Orthodontics Union Square Advisors Sonoma Harvest Olive Oil and Winery SILVER Black Stallion Estate Winery Cheveto Window Tint Manfred & Hunt, LLP Quinlan’s Tires Robert Pursell Compass Real Estate The Legacy Group Scott Whitlock and Thomas Coakley
To learn more about Braves Alliance, contact Andrew Bettencourt, abettencourt@justin-siena.org.
MUSIC
VISUAL ARTS
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23-24 $145,000+
BRONZE Abbey Carpets Amine Khoury, DDS BottleRock Napa Valley DA Due Compliance and Logistics Olives Unlimited Quintessential Wines Highway 12 Winery Mary’s Pizza Shack NapaSport SteakHouse Roy’s Landscaping Inc. Sally Vaziri Real Estate Savage & Cooke The Donum Estate Valley of the Moon Flooring Vincent Arroyo Winery
SPORTS
RED AND BLUE Classic Car Wash Erica Conway, DDS CTS Fitness & Performance Dickenson, Peatman & Fogarty Law Edge PT - Eric Ewig Hello Ortho Le Reve Designs Modus Operandi Napa Electric 707 Premier Sports Ranch Market Sasha Craig Photography State Farm Mark Coleman Silva Plumbing VinoEZ
ROBOTICS
MOCK TRIAL
BRAVES ALLIANCE SPOTLIGHT
Keller Family Real Estate
2021-22 - CRAB FEST Sponsors 2022-23 - Braves Alliance ALLHEART Sponsors 2023-24 - Braves Alliance ALLHEART Sponsors For more than fifty years, Dottie Black Keller and Bill Keller have been synonymous with real estate in the Napa Valley. And though they are best known as the owners/brokers of Coldwell Banker, Brokers of the Napa Valley, the genesis of Keller Family Real Estate actually began in 1970, with Dottie’s father, Lowell Black. Dottie Black was working for her father’s real estate business when she met and married Bill Keller. Eventually, Bill and Dottie purchased Lowell Black Realtors and became independent brokers, later merging with Coldwell Banker in 1994. Bill shares, “When we had our first son (Bill Jr.), we decided to name him Bill hoping that he would someday go into the family business.” They were spot on. Their oldest child, Stacy ‘83, has successfully spent the better part of three decades in real estate while Bill Jr. ‘91 and later Jim ‘94, carry on their family legacy at Keller Family Real Estate - Bill Jr. specializing in residential real estate and Jim focusing on commercial and vineyard properties. Like the generational ties with real estate, the Kellers have a deep connection with the Justin-Siena community. When their son Bill Jr. started high school at Justin-Siena, Bill Sr. began coaching boys golf. It was a path to share and teach all the great life lessons, dedication and teamwork to Justin-Siena athletes. Dottie explains, “One of the reasons we’ve always supported Justin-Siena is because we love this community. It’s a great school and we want to help as much as we can.” Dottie emphasized Justin-Siena’s commitment to accessibility, noting how the administration continues to prioritize tuition assistance for students who desire a Catholic, college preparatory education. Jim continues, “Justin-Siena has supported us in return. It feels like a partnership. So many of our business relationships and clients date back to our time at Justin-Siena and the families we encountered there.” While Keller Family Real Estate began as a residential brokerage, the Kellers have evolved and adapted to the changing needs of the Napa Valley. Today, Keller Family Real Estate serves families and businesses all across the county. In addition to the main office in Napa, the firm has offices in St. Helena and Sonoma. Whether it’s golfing in the JS Classic Golf Tournament or cheering on their children and grandchildren in Clark Gym, Bill, Dottie, Bill Jr. and his wife Meredith (Jack ‘26 and Alex ‘29), and Lindsay ‘95 and Jim ‘94 (Charlie ‘24, Lauren ‘26, James ‘28, and Andrew ‘30) embrace an “all in” mentality that continues to make an impact on academics, athletics, and accessibility at Justin-Siena. Thank you to Keller Family Real Estate for their participation as Braves Alliance ALLHEART Sponsors. AVA N T I M AG A Z I N E
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A Brave Legacy In May, Charles Keller ’24 will process alongside his classmates at Commencement, entering the ranks of over 5,000 Justin-Siena High School alumni. He will also be starting a much smaller club: a Justin-Siena family that is three generations strong. 4 5 FA L L 2 0 2 3
Meet the Hoff/Kellers: A Justin-Siena Family for Three Generations The First Brave: Kathryn Shifflett Hoff ’70 Kathryn’s relationship with JustinSiena began in 1965 as an eighth grader at Saint Apollinaris School in Napa. With the construction of the town’s first catholic high school underway, all of Kathryn’s friends were excited to enter Siena High School’s first class. Folks from all over, Catholics and non-Catholics alike, rallied behind the creation of Justin (for boys) and Siena (for girls) High Schools, putting their own financial resources and energy into the school’s development. So new was it, that work was still in progress as the school opened for students. She playfully cites memories of desks still being assembled on the first day and the cafeteria not being finished for their first dance. Kathryn laughed, “The students had to clean it up in order for the space to be usable.” For Kathryn, Justin-Siena reinforced two very important values: hard work and service. She recalls, “It was really, really hard to get good grades here.” Because of that high academic bar, students challenged each other to do better. In terms of service, her religious and lay teachers served as role models for her and her fellow classmates. Even more so, it was the service that parents and community members engaged in to make Justin-Siena happen in the first place.
The Second Generation: Lindsay Hoff Keller ’95 and James Keller ’94 and When it came to Kathryn’s daughter, Lindsay Hoff Keller ’95, attending Justin-Siena was inevitable. The family connection was already well established, having had her mother, aunt, and uncles (Michael ’71, Steven ’75, and Mary ’76) attend before her. In addition, Lindsay shared that her father, Paul Hoff, and grandfather, Wade Shifflett, served on school leadership boards, helping to establish and grow the institution. Lindsay shared three reasons why Justin-Siena, like the JustinSiena we know and love today, was the right fit for her, “academics, community, and athletics.” The school has grown to have even more significance in Lindsay’s story; Lindsay and her husband Jim Keller ’94 are both alumni. Many of Jim’s St. Apollinaris classmates were heading to Justin-Siena and with strong relationships already forged through his older brother Bill Keller’s ’91 class, it was the obvious choice.
Jim shares, “Basketball and golf were a big part of my life back then, so naturally, athletics also played into my decision to come.” Becoming Justin-Siena parents soon reintroduced Jim and Lindsay to the school. Jim enjoys the opportunity to reconnect with other alums who are current parents like the Sebastianis and Grimshaws, noting, “Rooting for my kids in their sports and talking academics with other alumni happens all the time. Even though we may not have been in the same grades while we were students here, there is still a bond and connection to people who enjoy this same unique experience of being alumni and now parents.” Lindsay recognizes that being a parent feels like a “full circle” moment. She shares, “There is a lot that has changed, but there is so much that hasn’t, such as the very strong sense of community. Every year, the school makes improvements, strengthening the foundation of what has always been a great school. It’s pretty incredible to come back to something that feels familiar and yet is, stronger, better, and so much more elevated.”
The Third Generation: Charles Keller ’24, Lauren Keller ’26 Now, as a grandmother, it is special for Kathryn to be able to speak to her grandchildren Charlie ’24 and Lauren ’26 about their same love and appreciation for the school that she once attended. Though he had the option to consider other high schools, Charlie ’24 chose Justin-Siena because of the close family ties to the school. Charlie laughs, “That and the athletics programs.” Once on campus, Charlie quickly developed a deeper sense of what it means to be a Brave. “I think the culture is my favorite part about this school. Being around caring faculty and staff and making great friends has shaped my experience. I appreciate so much about Justin-Siena and the impact it has had on me.” Lauren ’26 recalls, “I always knew I was going to come here.” Whether it was the enthusiasm Charlie had for his experience here or the fact that their parents were alumni, Lauren recognized early on that JustinSiena offered strong academics and quality teachers. Lauren affirms, “The teachers here really care about you.” With our school nearing 60 years, there are more three-generation families to come! We look forward to welcoming the third generation of Daws, Dodds, Gutierrezes, Schmitzes, Streblows and, Tolberts, in just a few short years!
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BRAVES RE-UNITED Class of 1983 Reunion
When alumni return
When you have alumni at our events it enriches our experiences and deepens our values. Alumni then become Alumni Ambassadors who spread the word of our community. There is a lot of pride being created in our alumni spaces, lifting up the legacy.
2023 Alumni Events Class of ’73, ’83, ’03 Football Champions Mixers Class of ’73 Golden Diploma Class of ’98 Silver Reunion Class of ’83 Reunion Class of ’91-’95 Alumni Mixers Class of ’02-’03 Reunions
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Upcoming Class of ’74 Golden Diploma Class of ’99 Silver Reunion Class of ’04 Reunion Contact Jennifer Rasler ’86 at jrasler@ justin-siena.org to plan your alumni event.
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BRAVES RE-UNITED Golden Diploma
Our 4th Annual Golden Diploma ceremony was a warm welcome to our All Saints Day Mass. It has been a treasure to reconnect with these aureate alumni!
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BRAVES RE-UNITED Football Alumni Event
It felt like Homecoming started a week early when members of the ’73, ’83, and ’03 championship football teams showed up in full force to reminisce and revel in the good ole days! We were proud to celebrate them in a halftime ceremony and with a gritty VVAL victory over Napa!
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Eating and Equity
Ka-In Napa Valley: A new culinary event shining a spotlight on diversity, access, and community Adapted from the phrase “kain na” which in Tagalog, means “let’s eat,” Ka-In Napa Valley is a celebration of Filipino culture, food, and wine. This first-of-its-kind event christened “The Commons” outdoor recreation space, and showcased wine and cuisine from local Filipino winemakers and chefs including Le Paris Artisan & Gourmet Cafe, Napa de Oro Vineyard & Estate Winery, Roline’s Uniquely Filipino (owned by alumni parent Roline Caspar), and Winston’s Cafe & Bakery (co-owned by alumnus Alex Macaraig ’05). Ka-In Napa Valley is one of several opportunities throughout the year for Justin-Siena to recognize the rich cultural diversity and heritage of our students, families, alumni, and staff. A convivial community gathering, Ka-In Napa Valley is a fundraising event supporting Justin-Siena’s Diversity & Inclusion Scholarship Program (DISP). More than three years ago, Eric Gonzales, alumni parent (Jonas ’20 and Nina ’23) and current Board of Trustee and JS Foundation Board member, and Andrea Flores, Vice President of Advancement, dreamt of 5 3 FA L L 2 0 2 3
a way to expand diversity among the student body. Those thoughts evolved into the Diversity & Inclusion Scholarship Program. Now in its third year, DISP provides scholarship support to eleven scholars and also provides insight into different career pathways by engaging program sponsors with scholars through job shadow opportunities and site visits. Eric and his wife Amparo, the Program’s founding sponsors, meet with the LEAP students annually to track their progress and success. DISP’s first graduate, Ma’El Blunt ’23, now attends Howard University; following in his footsteps, five scholars are set to graduate in 2025. With Ka-In Napa Valley’s spotlight on access and diversity, two DISP scholars spoke to the crowd of 170 guests and volunteers. Pamela Delgado Salazar ’25 shared how scholarship support has helped her gain access to a Lasallian Catholic education. “DISP gives students like me an opportunity to progress in
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their academic career and the scholarship relieves our families of some of the financial burden of attending a private Catholic school.” Skylar Williams ’25 recounted how influential the Gonzaleses have been on her education and future goals. She stated, “When meeting with Mr. and Mrs. Gonzales for the first time last year, we talked about all of the things that we wanted to accomplish. Ironically, my list was the same list that I shared with Mr. and Mrs. Gonzales at that meeting. With their encouragement, I was able to hold myself accountable to step up into those leadership roles and activities.” We look forward to another evening of enjoying delicious food and wine for a cause on May 4, 2024, when Ka-In Napa Valley will once again fill The Commons with tantalizing flavors for your palate.
Ka-In Napa Valley would not be possible without the vision and support of the Gonzales Family Fund and Merrill Lynch Wealth Management.
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Andrea Flores, Vice President for Advancement Over the last ten years, Justin-Siena has experienced a profound shift in student and staff diversity while making a significant investment on being an inclusive educational community. Aligning with our school’s mission to prepare our students for the diverse world they will enter as adults, this commitment is a source of pride. Three years ago, Justin-Siena developed its first ever Diversity Statement. Part of that statement reads: We seek to build on our Lasallian commitments of inclusive community and social justice to be a school where students and adults are welcomed and supported, and where their faces, voices, and experiences are equally reflected and valued. We believe that the work of inclusion is a responsibility held by all, and that we have the power to be the change the world needs. This vision of inclusion drives our Justin-Siena community; it is an essential component to our Lasallian core principles. Ka-In Napa Valley is one way for our community to experience that inclusive, global, ALLHEART spirit.
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MAJOR LOOKING AHEAD:
THE BIG PICTURE
IMPACT
Read a digital copy of our 2022-2023 Impact Report to learn more about the school’s finances, the success of our Signature Events, and the people who believe in our And, with so many backgrounds, our diverse student body continues to grow. Mission. 2022-23 IMPACT REPORT The class of 2027 highlights a 34% increase over the last six years. Incoming Freshman Classes Since 2018-19 2018-19
2019-20
2020-21
2021-22
2022-23
2023-24
136
146
140
160
156
182
Thanks toHappen. Senator Bill aking the Big Projects Dodd ’74, we had the
opportunity to raise $528,000 for JustinSiena, at his 23rd Annual Holiday Party. This helped fully fund major capital improvement projects while also contributing to tuition assistance.
$2,093,683 Total Fundraising
Making the Best Future Happen
$216,320 Justin-Siena Fund
$841,490 Restricted Fundraising
$1,252,193
General Fundraising
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GROWTH. SUCCESS. THE FUTURE. 12
Read the full report here. 5 7 FA L L 2 0 2 3
Abbey Carpets and the Washingtons
Family Values: Investing in Quality Education By Janice Clifton Our entire family is committed to being involved in a variety of ways. My son-in-law, Albert Washington, has enjoyed volunteering both as a football coach and for the Parents Association. These experiences have left a great impression on him and allowed him to give back while also seeing the tremendous work that is done for this school by so many people. He has been impressed with how smoothly the school runs and notes how other parents, teachers, and the administration support the success of students. Since I am a grandma working full time, I have not had the chance to volunteer at the school, but have been more than willing to help out financially by having our business, Abbey Carpets, join the Braves Alliance. We also enjoy donating each year to the BravesUnited campaigns that support Jaden and Jordan’s sports teams. Perhaps most fun for our family is sitting courtside for sporting events! Because of my grandchildren’s quality education, I want others to have this tremendous experience. We will continue to give to JustinSiena long after Jaden and Jordan have graduated. And oh yes, we do have a 10-year old on her way up. She already feels quite comfortable at Justin-Siena! Personally, I have been impressed by how Jaden and Jordan have been taught by their coaches that being on the team isn’t just about the game, but also about the person you are becoming. We have been so delighted with the experience our grandkids have had in this amazing school!
When we attend a sporting event or other school function, it feels like we are going to a happy place. AVA N T I M AG A Z I N E
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2022 — 2023
GIFTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS Endowed & Restricted Scholarships Diversity & Inclusion Scholarship Program Bank of America Employee Giving Campaign Bank of America Foundation Amparo and Eric Gonzales Ohana Bradfield Dan Cocilova Pamela and Patrick Gleeson ’85 Marcel Goldberg Jason and Kristen Guiducci, CPA ’93 Catherine Hoomes Dianna and Scott Messenger Cynthia and Simon Rebullida Terrence Wooten Owen Euser Memorial Endowed Scholarship Mary Bettencourt♰ Gail Zeller and Jack Zeller William Hardy & Alan Charles Dell’Ario Endowed Scholarship Berman & Simmons, P.A. Deborah Buccina A. Charles Dell’Ario Susann Evans Hardy Wolf & Downing, P.A. Joan Marci Helen and Thomas McDermott Brother Kevin Slate, FSC Kanyawee Thitiprayoonwongse ’24 Richard Janese Scholarship Fund Cindy and Ronnie Gray Bonnie Karrigan Enaid Jones Scholarship Sisters of St. Dominic, Congregation of the Most Holy Name Br. Conrad Kearney Memorial Scholarship Ellen Frediani ’75 Rosemarie Quinlan Shannon Lemieux Memorial Endowed Scholarship Marlene ♰ and Darrel Howatt Lori and Daniel Lemieux ’73
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Minigan Family Endowed Scholarship Fund Elizabeth and Michael Minigan Robert C. Morrish Memorial Scholarship Fund Han-Fen and Edward Allen Claire and Kevin Daw ’75 Ellen Frediani ’75 Br. Daniel O’Connor Scholarship De La Salle Institute Brother George Van Grieken, FSC, PhD ’70 Louis Pierotti ’72 Memorial Scholarship Kim and Audrey Blackseth ’72 Donald and Janet Botill ’72 Anna Cardwell ’72 and Chris Cardwell ’72 Trevor DelBondio Roberta and Stephen Dodd ’72 Katherine and Nathan George ’72 Nancy Gifford ’72 Enrico Poort ’72 Jean and Mark Rappaport ’72 William Smith Ana and Bruce Streblow ’72 Jess Romero Scholarship Robert Romero, Esq. ’81 Robert (Bob) Rota ’70 Memorial Endowed Scholarship Frank Gentile Patrick Savage ’00 Memorial Scholarship Jill Sinclair ’99 and David Sinclair ’99 Alex Urban Memorial Scholarship The Madden Family Charitable Fund Damian Vela Candle of Knowledge Scholarship Kathryn Holder, MD and David Danzeisen, MD Tricia Vela Eric Wolfe ’75 Memorial Scholarship Antonie Wolfe
Veronica Zimmermann ’09 Memorial Scholarship Susan Gavinski Amy Geiger Donna and Michael Hein Bianca and John Zimmermann, MD
Community Scholarships Alaina’s Voice Foundation Scholarship John Biale ’77 Memorial Scholarship California Scholarship Federation (5) California School Employees Association Community Projects, Inc. Scholarship (3) Horn Heart Foundation (2) Richard Janese Memorial Scholarship The JLD Ag Land Preservation Fund Kiwanis Club of Greater Napa Scholarship (2) Kiwanis Club of Napa Scholarship (3) Shannon Nicole Lemieux Memorial Aquatic Scholarship (2) Shannon Nicole Lemieux Memorial Arts Scholarship Napa County Bar Association Scholarship (2) Napa County Farm Bureau Aldo Delfino Scholarship Napa County Landmarks Scholarship Napa Valley College Foundation Scholarship (4) Napa Valley Community Foundation (2) Napa Valley Horsemen’s Association Scholarship Napa Valley Marathon Scholarship (2) National Honor Society Scholarship (2) Brother Daniel O’Connor Memorial Scholarship The Presentation School Scholarship Rotary Club of Napa Scholarship (Napa Noontime Rotary) Patrick Savage ’00 Memorial Scholarship August Sebastiani Scholarship (2) Paul Frederick Sheffer Memorial Scholarship Soroptimist International of Vallejo Kathleen Frances Springer Memorial Scholarship Eric Wolfe ’75 Memorial Scholarship Yountville FOCUS Scholarship
GIFT IN KIND
3 Badge Beverage Corporation Aileron Estates Alpha Omega Winery AMPL Wine Anheuser-Busch Aonair Wines Erica Aronson, MD Vincent Arroyo Family Winery Artesa Vineyards and Winery Aston Estate Atlas Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Auberge Resorts Collection B Wise Vineyards Agnes and Bob Bailey Balletto Vineyards Bardessono Hotel & Spa Barnett Vineyards Marisa and Chris Bartalotti Ann and Tom Bassett Bee Co Bags - Megan Howell Bell Wine Cellars Margarita and Kevin Belton Bistro Don Giovanni Black Stallion Estate Winery Bodega Bay Sailing Boeschen Vineyards Yili Bon BottleRock Napa Valley Brockmeyer Family Wines Brown Estate Vineyards Thomas Rivers Brown BSN Sports Buoncristiani Family Winery Campus Kitchens/The Truffle Ladies Caterwaul Wines Caymus Vineyards Anthony Celaya Celaya Law Chappellet Vineyard & Winery Chardonnay Golf Club Charles Krug Winery Chimney Rock Winery Christian Brothers Retreat & Conference Center Chuck’s Flavor Train Cliff Lede Vineyards James Cole Winery Cole’s Chop House Tom Collins Copper Cane Wine & Provisions Cordeiro’s Steakhouse Crisp Kitchen & Juice Chris Curnutt Dahl Restaurant Group Dalla Valle Vineyards De Fina Family Cellars Denise and Matt De Fina Della Santina’s Trattoria Eduardo Dingler
Jason and Megan Dominici ’92 Debra and Mark Dommen The Donum Estate The Dougherty Family Alison and Justin Dragoo Jeffrey Durham ’85 and Joey Wolosz Angela and Doug Due El Dorado Kitchen Fairmont San Francisco Far Niente Winery Favela’s Mexican Grill Christi and Dave Ficeli Flora Springs Winery Flybird Cocktails Fontanella Family Winery Karen and Jeff Fontanella Fortunati Vineyards Freedom Estate Wine Frog’s Leap Winery Fumé Bistro and Bar Krista and Michael Galyen Garaventa’s Florist Gemstone Vineyard Gentleman Farmer Wines Gabrielle George ’23 & Knitters for a Cause Club Giles Chiropractic Golden State Warriors Basketball Camp Goosecross Cellars Gray Whale Gin Grgich Hills Estate Groth Vineyards and Winery Grove 45 Olive Oil Jason and Kristen Guiducci, CPA ’93 Gundlach Bundschu Winery Connie and Shawn Guttersen Sarah Hansen ’92 Harbison Wines Harlan Estate Mark Herold Wines Hess Persson Estates Highway 12 Vineyards & Winery Hudson Vineyards Mr. and Mrs. Lee Hudson Hudson Ranch George Ibrahim Nahia and Peter Ibrahim Chris and Maché Indelicato Jackson Family Wines Jaeger Vineyards JaM Cellars John Anthony Vineyards Justin-Siena Girls Golf Team Justin-Siena Mothers and Fathers in the Arts K. Laz Wine Collection Kamen Estate Kapcsandy Family Winery Keenan Winery
Keever Vineyards & Winery Amine George Khoury, DDS Maria and Gregory Kopra Paula Kornell ’77 Paula Kornell Sparkling Wine Amanda and Dennis Kreps La Toque Ladera Vineyards Lasseter Family Wines Lawler’s Liquors Le Reve Design & Associates Lede Family Wines The Lodge at Sonoma Los Agaves Napa Mad Fritz Beer Madonna Estate Winery Mamas Sweet Retreat Markham Vineyards The Meritage and Vista Collina Mi Sueño Winery Paulina and Libor Michalek Miracle Hill Vineyards Model Bakery Michael Mondavi Family Estate Melody and Gary Morisoli Napa Electric Napa Valley Olive Oil Manufacturing Co. Napa Valley 1839 FC Napa Valley Country Club NapaSport Steakhouse Nickel & Nickel Marissa Nokes and Paul Villegas Shannon O’Shaughnessy One Market Restaurant Scott Oosthuizen Opus One Winery Orin Swift Cellars Paint Nail Bar Napa Valley Palmaz Vineyards Panevino Pangloss Cellars Papalote Salsa Pasote Tequila Perata Vineyards Pestoni Family Estate Winery Kimberly and David Phinney Pink Jeep Tours Brett Pinkin Pott Wines Claire and Aaron Pott Pride Mountain Vineyards Pure Luxury Transportation Quintessential Wines Ranch Market Redmon Wines Repris Winery Reynolds Family Winery Riva Cucina Rivers-Marie Wines AVA N T I M AG A Z I N E
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Roche Sonoma Winery Roy’s Landscaping, Inc. Rutherford Ranch Winery Saintsbury Winery Sake Drinker Salvestrin Winery San Francisco Giants SF Giants Baseball Camps Sangiacomo Family Vineyards Sangiacomo Family Wines V. Sattui Winery, Inc. Savage & Cooke Scala Osteria Matt Schiefferly School House Vineyard Schramsberg Vineyards Allison and August Sebastiani Shafer Vineyards Silver Oak Winery Silver Oak Cellars
Silverado Resort & Spa Kate and Edward Smith Sojourn Cellars Solano Dermatology Associates Martha and Jesus Solis Sonoma Harvest Olive Oil & Winery Sonoma Golf Club Southwest Airlines Spicee Tee’s Catering Spring Mountain Vineyard Stanly Ranch Starbucks Redwood Plaza Suppertime The Swing Doctor - Ray Graziani Sheila Tabilon, MD and Christopher Schultz, MD Tannery Bend Beerworks Texas Roadhouse The Edge Restaurant The Q Restaurant & Bar
The Waterfront Seafood Grill The Wine Thief Trade Brewing Treasury Wine Estates Trinchero Family Estates Trinitas†Cellars U Wellness Medspa Jimmy Vasser Chevrolet Toyota VGS Chateau Potelle Vineyard 7 & 8 Golden State Warriors Don Weaver Ashlynn Webber ’15 The Westin Verasa Napa Amanda Wright Pottery Amanda and David Wright ZD Wines Chef Juan Zavala
IN HONOR OF
Deceased Members of the Class of 1979 Mike and Patricia Ashauer ’79
Richard Joseph Janese Cindy and Ronnie Gray
Classes of 1975 & 1976 Elaine Gilbert ’76 and Allyn Gilbert ’75 Anthony Ginesi ’00 and Christopher Ginesi ’02 Claire and Larry Ginesi
Brian Daw ’79 Claire and Kevin Daw ’75 John Dumars Marian Partridge
Brother Kevin Slate, FSC Pilar and Dwight Meier
Gina Freskan ’89 Sarah and Daniel Frank ’89
IN MEMORY OF
Marlene Howatt Michael Chouinard ’06 Daria and Bernard Henri
George Bernardo Anna Cardwell ’72 and Chris Cardwell ’72 Nelson and Mary Bettencourt The Bettencourt Family Mary Bettencourt Gail Zeller and Jack Zeller
Daniel Janese Cindy and Ronnie Gray Mary Ann Janese Cindy and Ronnie Gray
Richard Patrick Janese Cindy and Ronnie Gray Thomas H. Lowenstein Nancy and Richard Brignolo Geri and Edmond Brovelli, Jr. Carolyn and James Cassayre Linda and Thomas Malloy Lorraine Negri Chad Meyer ’93 Nancy and Andrew Nicks, MD Tim Peterson ’75 Claire and Kevin Daw ’75 Craig White Helen and Thomas McDermott
In Memory Our thoughts and prayers are with these members of our Braves family.
Paul Cassayre, preceded in death by wife Fran♰, father of Mary ’75, Anne, and Diane Cassayre ’78, October 21, 2023 Carrie Sellers Foley, mother of Ryan ’09, Davis ’11, Matthew ’13, and Tana ’16, June 5, 2023 Gina Freskan ’89, October 22, 2022 Mijenko “Mike” Grgich, preceded in death by wife Tatjana♰, father of Violet Grgich ’83, and grandfather of Noelle GrgichShipman ’23, December 13, 2023 Marlene Howatt, wife of Darrel, and grandmother of Shannon Lemieux ’06♰ and Kevin Lemieux ’03, February 25, 2023 Don Kiser, husband of Jan, father of Jeffrey ’86 and Timothy ’89, July 28, 2023 Chadwick Meyer ’93, husband of Aimee, brother of Matthew ’95 and Holly ’99, December 7, 2022 Ingrid Paltrineri, preceded in death by husband Bruce♰, mother of Monique ’84, Nicole ’85, and Stephen ’89, 6 1 FA L L 2 0 2 3
grandmother of Gabriella ’20 and Cassandra ’22, August 4, 2023 Captain Robert F. Roche, husband of Joan, father of Ellen and Ruth Anne ’82, Rod, Terry, Steve, and Tim♰, May 9, 2023 Catherine “Kitty” Scholl, mother of John ’79, Martha ’80, Frank ’82, Cathy ’83, and Vince ’84, Dennis, Bill, and Brendan, and grandmother of Ryan ’03, October 12, 2023 Ted Treleven ’79, husband of Donna, and brother of Kathy ’74 and Claudia ’77, December 2, 2023 Peter Van Winden, husband of Joanna, father of Marie ’78, Anne ’80, Theresa ’82, Catherine, Dorothy ’87, and Petra ’87, and grandfather of Peter Staggs ’07, Mark Marden ’09, Andrew Marden ’11, and Anna Staggs ’17, July 21, 2023 Craig Perry White ’02, husband of Kendric, April 22, 2023 William “Bill” Kevan Wilcoxson, father of William ’06 and Justine ’08, September 5, 2023 ♰ Deceased
Impact the Future of Justin-Siena with a Planned Gift Our administrators, faculty, staff, board, volunteers, and donors recognize that Justin-Siena is an essential educational ministry and an asset to Napa, Solano, and Sonoma county families that should be sustained for generations to come. This is why we are proud to announce the relaunch of our planned giving program: Justin-Siena High School Legacy Circle. The premise is simple; supporters who pledge to include a gift to Justin-Siena in their wills or trusts are automatically enrolled in our Legacy Circle. Members receive special recognition throughout the year, as well as invitations to exclusive Justin-Siena activities and events. Leaving a planned gift through a charitable bequest is an excellent way to combine a desire to support our mission of accessible, quality, college prep, Lasallian Catholic education with financial, tax, and estate planning goals. To understand the impact that a planned gift can make, consider the story of Lydia and Bob Rufran. While the Rufrans did not have children, they recognized and valued the importance of Catholic education. A native of Chicago, Bob Rufran moved to California when he was ten years old. A veteran of both World War II and the Korean War, he eventually settled in Vallejo and worked on Mare Island for 34 years. Lydia was a native of Crockett and also worked on Mare Island. The Rufrans were married for 55 years, with Lydia preceding Bob in death. Both were active in the Italian Catholic Federation and the Moose Lodge, and Bob was a past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus. In 2008, Justin-Siena received a bequest from the estate of Robert and Lydia Rufran totaling more than $500,000. This generous gift was made to establish an endowment to fund annual scholarships for deserving students. For the last 15 years, Robert and Lydia’s planned gift has provided essential funding to our students and families, ensuring that Justin-Siena remains accessible today and long into the future. Through the Legacy Circle, JustinSiena can ensure financial accessibility, state of the art facilities, and high quality faculty, counseling and student support services, and co-curricular programs. As we relaunch our Legacy Circle this year, we thank our 20 members for including Justin-Siena in their will or estate plan. Every Legacy Circle bequest contributes to the transformative education our students receive, and ensures the sustainability of our educational mission. We invite you to join us today with a commitment to Legacy Circle: https://justin-siena.planmylegacy.org AVA N T I M AG A Z I N E
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4026 MAHER STREET, NAPA, CA 94558 T: 707.255.0950 | F: 707.255.0334
STAYING IN TOUCH To make sure your email information is up-to-date, contact our database manager, Jazmin Naranjo jnaranjo@justin-siena.org
There’s more fun to come!
CRAB FEST–February 10
Ka-In Napa Valley–May 4 Graduation–May 30 JS Golf Classic–June 24