10 Days! Countdown to Graduation with Verenice Tapia ’18
Eager to head south to follow her passion to swim and compete for NCAA Division III
University of Redlands, Verenice reflects on her time at Justin-Siena as impactful. As a Brave, she has learned a lot about herself and what she values and feels prepared for college and what lies beyond. Her involvement in various activities from Friday Night Live and swim captain and to the arts and serving at liturgies coupled with her love of chemistry has steered her toward pursuing a degree in the sciences as she aspires to find a career path with which she can make a difference in the lives of others. No doubt her development into a confident young leader through her involvement at Justin-Siena has prepared her well for her next chapter, and we wish her all the best at the University of Redlands. #ALLHEART #Classof2018

 
10 Days! Countdown to Graduation with Matthew Kenaston ’18
Goal-oriented and driven, Matthew has always found science to be a source of inspiration. He defines his time at Justin-Siena as a period of discovery, and it is with that spirit he will pursue a Bachelors of Science in microbiology at UC Davis as a Regents Scholar in the Honors Program. According to Matthew, “The complexities of our world astound me, but people do too. Taking on a rigorous academic career has provided me with encouragement to pursue science in college, yet activities like student tutoring on campus or working at the Solano Land Trust have shown me how significant the individual is to the advancement of scientific achievement. These experiences have drawn me to pursue a career in the medical industry—the perfect intersection of assisting others while pursuing discoveries that will alter the face of how we see medicine in the future.” His all-heart attitude led him to truly value interpersonal relationships, and we are confident that his continued path of discovery, both of self and the world around him, will lead to a rewarding life. #ALLHEART #Classof2018
 
 
May 11 – 9 Days
 
9 Days! Countdown to Graduation with Rahim Burdette ’18
A fixture at any Justin-Siena event or Gathering, Rahim developed a real passion for leadership during his high school career. Taking full advantage of the opportunities presented through LSL and beyond, he discovered how to truly be himself and lead others to be their best selves as well. Among Rahim’s strongest traits is a willingness and desire to help others. Very loyal and always working diligently to honor his commitments to tasks and for his family and friends, Rahim is most certainly a creative, and unrelentingly enthusiastic team player. With a hardy all-heart attitude, Rahim sums up his experience at the Home of the Braves as a time of holistic learning, and when asked for one word he would use to describe his soon-to-be alma mater, he quickly said, “love.” Rahim looks forward to further developing his leadership skills as he pursues a degree in psychology at UC Santa Barbara and aspires to continue his journey toward becoming the best version of himself. #ALLHEART #Classof2018

 
9 Days! Countdown to Graduation with Sophia Danzeisen ’18
A compassionate leader and a graceful performer, Sophia struck a great balance between a wide variety of interests and hopes to do the same as she pursues a degree in neuroscience at Vanderbilt University with a minor in Political Science. Through her high school pursuits, she was able to gain confidence in herself and make a positive impact. Her natural sense of curiosity and creativity were able to further develop within an inclusive community. She reflects on her time at Justin-Siena as enlightening, a word an audience member might also use when speaking of her performance in her role as either the Assistant Principal Violist in the Oakland Symphony Youth Orchestra or dancing in any one of Justin-Siena’s musicals or dance productions. Sophia is well poised for her college pursuits and will astutely use her Justin-Siena foundation as building blocks to achieve her goals of affecting positive change in the world. #ALLHEART #Classof2018
 
May 12 – 8 Days
 
8 Days! Countdown to Graduation with Hannah Chau ’18
Determined to pursue her dreams to be a doctor one day, Hannah fully embraced all her high school science courses which only served to fuel her dream. Another aspect of her high school year that gained traction was her running talent which led to record-breaking stats and the development of an athletic passion that earned her a scholarship and a spot on the UC Irvine cross country team while she pursues a pre-med course of study. According to Hannah, participating in sports, taking leadership classes, and meeting new people taught her the values of hard work, dedication, confidence, kindness, and love. She calls her high school experience “life-changing” and “unforgettable.” Whether it be academics or chasing her next PR, Hannah’s all-heart attitude has served as a personal challenge to turn love from an emotion into an action. Her record-setting effort will, no doubt, serve her well in her future field of medicine. #ALLHEART #Classof2018

8 Days! Countdown to Graduation with Margaret Nugent ’18
Getting out of her comfort zone and getting involved served Maggie well as she discovered a passion for serving others. Quick to jump in, lend her singing voice, and connect with others has been a valuable journey of growth and was not lost on Maggie as she sums up her time at Justin-Siena as “important.” “My involvement in leadership has helped me grow into a person who values close relationships and genuine connections, and I understand the importance of serving others.” Maggie plans to take her burgeoning skills and passions to Oregon State University to pursue a degree in New Media Communications with the intention of having a career in wedding/event planning. “Without the foundations of leadership LSL has taught me, I would have never discovered a love for service and connection with others.” Maggie is a wonderful example of what our mission calls us to do—“prepare young people to serve and to lead in an ever-changing world.” Let’s hope her future planning projects involve a reunion for the Class of 2018! #ALLHEART #Classof2018

7 Days! Countdown to Graduation with Natalie Gulrajani ’18
Natalie’s high school days added up to a great period of growth—she learned to branch out while being true to herself and, of course, learned some things about herself along the way. “Throughout high school, I've grown from a shy and nerdy girl to an extroverted leader who is still just as nerdy. I became more dedicated to my extracurriculars and my classroom work while at the same time trying to be as friendly and outgoing as I could be.” It was her high level of involvement not only participating in but helping to create a vibrant student culture at JS that informed some of her college criteria. “At Justin-Siena, I learned that I absolutely loved a school environment with lots of school pride but that was also extremely academically rigorous. When looking for colleges I also was searching for somewhere with many service-oriented and globally focused programs. These are some of the reasons I chose Duke. I also have learned that I am the happiest when I am helping other people and that I truly want to make a difference in the world with my life, which is why I am planning on studying Global Health on the pre-med track.” Natalie has high standards and demands a lot of herself personally and academically, and it is this drive which has motivated her at Justin-Siena and will propel her toward success at Duke University and beyond. #ALLHEART #Classof2018

7 Days! Countdown to Graduation with Robert Batt ’18
A dedicated student-athlete, talented musician, and a good friend, Robert has really come into his own during high school. He sums up his time at the Home of the Braves as an “epiphany.” He felt challenged at Justin-Siena, yet supported by the faculty and staff as well as his friends through all the ups and downs that come with this four-year journey. “I have discovered a whole other side of myself—a glimpse of my adult-self, yet still a teenager. I have become more aware of my emotions and capabilities in my time at Justin-Siena. Not only did I start to believe in myself academically, I also made an effort to start talking to people more and sharing my talents. Many events occurred in my life during these four years, some bad, some good. It was my friends and my newly changed perspectives that helped me through.” Robert will begin his college career at Napa Valley College to further hone his interests, and he feels very prepared for whatever comes next. #ALLHEART #Classof2018

May 14 – 6 Days

6 Days! Countdown to Graduation with Juliette Nast ’18
Juliette sums up her Justin-Siena experience as “rewarding.” “I have been transformed by the cherished Lasallian values and traditions, the classes I never imagined myself taking, the memories made by participating in a team sport, and the service that has broadened my perspective. My experience has been one filled with bravery and stepping out of my comfort zone.” As she felt her confidence grow during her high school years she found an unexpected passion for Mandarin and traveled to China, and thrived as a student-athlete and cross country captain. Juliette looks forward to expanding on her experiences while pursuing coursework in Chinese, nutrition, biology, and environmental science at UC Berkeley. While considering college she knew she wanted somewhere active and also environmentally mindful. She has really grown to appreciate community and a sense of belonging and feels confident she’ll be at home in Berkeley and be able to surround herself with like-minded individuals. #ALLHEART #Classof2018

6 Days! Countdown to Graduation with Alejandra Alvarado-Basulto ’18
Graduation is a bit bittersweet for Alejandra as she has had the best time in high school and is a little sad it’s coming to an end. Although as she reflects on her four years, she feels quite prepared and excited for what comes next. “One word that would describe my Justin-Siena experience would be growth. I have grown over these years into the person I am today, and I have Justin-Siena to thank for that. I was challenged and given many opportunities for which I am beyond grateful.” Highlights of what made her experience so transformational include her involvement in dance, LSL, and serving as a student ambassador. She learned quickly as a shy freshman that getting involved made all the difference in discovering new passions and opening up to others. “I learned that I love being challenged and trying new things. I started to become less shy. Senior year shaped me the most. I was able to explore and truly find myself.” Alejandra plans to continue her journey of discovery at Sonoma State University as she pursues a degree in business. She is all heart indeed and really relates to the “I believe” sentiment in that, “I believe that if you set your mind to anything, you can make it into a reality. I strive to believe. I believe, so I continue to make all my dreams come true.” Keep dreaming big, Alejandra! #ALLHEART #Classof2018

5 Days! Countdown to Graduation with Pria Bose ’18
Action is a great word that comes to mind when considering the high school journey of Pria—and not just because of her key role as cheer captain or taking her place on stage for theatre or dance. Pria is all about taking action and fighting apathy. She considers her time at Justin-Siena as “fulfilling and full of growth”—the kind of growth where her freshman-self might have a hard time recognizing her senior-self. “I have grown tremendously in confidence. Freshman year, I did not have the confidence to be myself. I acted like someone completely different because I thought that would get people to like me. I gradually gained confidence during my sophomore and junior year and now in my senior year I’m proud to say I act like the genuine Pria Bose, which surprisingly people actually like.” Always looking to be challenged, Pria’s college search had her initially focused on academic rigor and reputation, but she quickly learned that it was spirit, the kind she allowed to develop within herself, that was also very important. And so she chose San Diego State University where she will study biology in their honors program with plans to be an actively involved, spirited person—true to herself in every way! #ALLHEART #Classof2018

5 Days! Countdown to Graduation with Hunter Schaufel ’18
Hunter​ ​made​ ​his​ ​mark​ ​on​ ​the stage, in the robotics arena, and​ ​with​ ​the​ ​rebirth​ ​of our​ ​literary​ ​magazine—to name just a few. And for the past several summers, when he’s not in a polo club competition with his dad, he’s at his ​internship​ ​with​ ​the San​ ​Francisco​ ​Exploratorium​ ​as​ ​a​ ​machine​ ​shop​ ​assistant. He reflects on his time at Justin-Siena as a time of dedication—not only for how he applied himself in all his endeavors, but also in terms of his interactions with the faculty. Whether leading the robotics team as captain or playing a leading role in the spring musical, Hunter thrived in creating something amazing. “Justin-Siena fosters a culture of people who take pride in what they do and who produce extremely high-quality results in the process. I found that the more I involved myself, the more I shared in that thrilling sense of accomplishing something magnificent.” An innovator in every sense of the word, Hunter never backs down from a challenge, such as stepping into a leadership role on the robotics team. “I decided it was time to use those hard-won skills from my first engineering course. I was honored by the task and enjoyed learning from the very people who were willing to put their faith in me as captain.” Hunter​ ​plans​ ​to​ ​combine​ ​a​ ​passion​ ​for​ ​art​ ​and​ ​design​ ​with​ ​his​ ​talent​ ​for​ ​mathematics​ ​and​ ​engineering and pursue a degree in mechanical engineering and industrial design at the Georgia Institute of Technology. We can’t wait to see where his creativity and energy take him! #ALLHEART #Classof2018

4 Days! Countdown to Graduation with Boqin Zhang ’18
A fixture at any Justin-Siena student gathering, event, or occasion, Boqin, known as Hakushin or Hak by his peers, immersed himself in the student culture at Justin-Siena. He sums up his time at the Home of the Braves as “full,” and that is due in large part to his level of commitment and involvement. Part of our international student program, Hak was one of our first residents on campus in the Student Residence. He fostered many great relationships with people from around the globe, and is happiest when in the company of others. He said, “what started as a solo voyage is ending as a great group adventure.” Whether on the tennis court, the Homecoming Court (he was named King last fall), or any leadership role, Hakushin was “all heart” and an example to others. Furthermore, he loved learning from others too. “During my time at Justin-Siena, with many encounters and chats with teachers and fellow classmates, I learned that I am extremely curious. Every intellectual and deep conversation seems to take me a step further into my life. This made me choose a university with strong academics.” Boqin plans to take his passion and sense of curiosity to UC Santa Barbara to pursue a degree in physics. #ALLHEART #Classof2018

4 Days! Countdown to Graduation with Nicole Drawsky ’18
An award-winning piece of Nicole’s art may be part of a permanent exhibit at the Napa Valley Museum in Yountville, but a piece of Nicole has been indelibly left on this campus—she poured her heart and soul into her creations. From fine art and photography to writing and more, Nicole’s way of expressing herself has been a gift to her class, this school, and her community. It was through various projects in her art courses and her leadership role with the school’s chapter of the National Art Honor Society that her eyes were opened to the impact her art could have on the lives of others. Whether making portraits for children in need in Colombia or Syria or curating a show (and earning a People’s Choice Award) to bring healing and light in the aftermath of the devastating North Bay wildfires, Nicole’s gift of art always commands respect and admiration. Considering the effect that art and design have on the world around her, Nicole plans to pursue a degree in architecture at the California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo with an emphasis in sustainable design. “I share a vision of a new wave of young professionals who want to design innovative buildings that improve people’s lives in measurable ways and create environments that promote health and dignity. Ultimately in my life, I aim to create sociocultural and environmentally conscious architecture that functionally and aesthetically adapts to the changing anthropological and geographical conditions of the planet; balancing a meaningful and impactful career in architecture with my independent passions of art and design.” While pursuing the more technical art form of architecture, Nicole plans to continue to create, display, share, and hopefully sell her art through a variety of channels from open-call gallery shows to an Etsy store. A consummate artist, she will keep sharing her gifts! #ALLHEART #Classof2018

3 Days! Countdown to Graduation with Catherine Flaherty ’18
Catherine describes her time at Justin-Siena as nurturing. “Justin-Siena is a community full of love. The love towards students from the faculty and administration is evident, and it’s obvious walking around campus that people just truly love to be here. I would sum up my experience as a time of personal growth, exploration, creativity, passion, and hard work. Catherine’s love for Justin-Siena translated into what she looked for in a college, “undying school spirit, strong academic curiosity and commitment, a vibrant student life, and a diverse offering of clubs and co-curriculars. Justin-Siena’s emphasis on developing a well-rounded student has led me to always strive for a healthy balance—allowing me to pursue opportunities outside of my comfort zone, which is something I looked for in a university. I am so excited to take what I have learned and apply it to future college endeavors and in my professional life beyond. I have stretched myself through trying new experiences, from theatre to mock trial to lacrosse or LSL. I have grown emotionally and spiritually through attending and leading Kairos retreats my junior and senior year, and I am so grateful for the strong friendships I have created along the way.” Catherine’s astute study of culture and its effect on her and the lives of others will serve as a great basis as she begins her pursuit of a degree in sociology at UC Santa Barbara next fall. #ALLHEART #Classof2018

2 Days! Countdown to Graduation with Rita Xia Wu ’18, Salutatorian
Rita will bring a perspective not many others can to her future studies in international relations at New York University. Born to Chinese parents in Portugal, commanding several languages from a young age, and amassing a breadth of experience with study abroad given her young teenage years, Rita’s passion for expanding her worldview and learning about new cultures was fed in the Student Residence at Justin-Siena. A 2-year student in our International Program, Rita felt the impact of living in community and is grateful for her American high school experience. “Seeing how much the other international students and I have accomplished since the first day we arrived in the States makes me believe that great things happen once we step out of our comfort zone. At Justin-Siena, I experienced what makes American high schools so unique. I am beyond lucky to have amazing, supportive teachers who truly care about our well-being. I would not have made it without the constant support and encouragement from teachers who see potential in their students and constantly push them to do and be better. Being part of such a highly collaborative, service committed, and internationally focused community at Justin-Siena, I am positive my experiences not only aided in my growth as a person but also provided me the necessary tools to continue to succeed in my college career and beyond.” She was further inspired to pursue international relations through the social justice education she received in her Christian Living class and was moved to explore a service opportunity as an English tutor for an Indian orphanage in New Delhi. “My eyes were opened to different realities as I came across the social issues prevalent in the Indian community and this helped me realize that we can all contribute to a better world.” We wish Rita well at NYU and know she will continue to step outside her comfort zone and continue to grow. #ALLHEART #Classof2018

1 Day! Countdown to Graduation with Marlon Washington II ’18, Valedictorian
Passion and a positive, can-do attitude are largely the force behind Marlon’s signature grin along with a sense of confidence that has grown over his four-year Justin-Siena journey. “High school allowed for my intellectual maturation through a wide range of coursework. I learned to relate seemingly disparate academic spheres while drawing knowledge from their essential meanings. My ability to draw such distinctions has equipped me with the skills to approach future coursework with confidence and excitement.” Whether covering receivers on the football field, tackling an engineering project, or making his defense in Mock Trial, Marlon exuded passion, and each experience paved the way for more life lessons. He sums up his high school career as “transformational” and has sought a similar path for college. “At Justin-Siena, I was able to engage ideas in a variety of communities, ranging from assisting on campus to tutoring on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Montana. I have been able to gain a global perspective as I transition into higher learning. For high school memories, I have truly enjoyed crusading on the gridiron with my teammates and celebrating in the locker room. I will remember laughing over case packets and witness characterization at the Napa Courthouse. Sharing smiles over ice cream after a freshman baseball game will be cherished. A science joke will always bring me back to Mr. Chappell’s classroom comedy. In all, I will miss the sense of camaraderie within our groups. I will continue seeking such communities in my next endeavors.” Given his track record for immersing himself and taking advantage of opportunities presented, Marlon’s next chapter looks bright. He will pursue a degree in bioengineering at Stanford and is excited to join a student body that greatly exudes an academic passion akin to what he grew to love at the Home of the Braves. Way to go Marlon! #ALLHEART #Classof2018