President David Holquin introduced the proceedings by quoting Frederick Buechner, “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet.” The keynote speaker, May Boeve ’02, discussed both the hunger and gladness on the road to her career. Studying Political Science at Middlebury College she was an activist and Scholar in Residence when she met the renowned environmentalist Bill McKibben. Fresh out of college, she took on the responsibility of directing North American operations for the nonprofit environmental action group 350.org. Climbing to the position of Executive Director she found herself breaking ground on two fronts; ecology and women’s rights. Spearheading 350.org’s efforts to oppose new coal, oil and gas projects, in favor of clean energy, she has the distinction of being the first person in the United States to be profiled by Time magazine as part of its annual series on “Next Generation Leaders.” May candidly expressed the challenges of being the only woman in a room full of male executives. “As a man you are seen as speaking for yourself, as a woman you are perceived as speaking for all women.”

In her keynote address, “Our Climate, Our Future,” May drew direct correlations between her high school experience and the world of nonprofit leadership. “When I was preparing for today’s talk I found my Justin-Siena Ecology Club t-shirt,” proudly adding, “It still fits!” What started locally for her as eight kids in a recycling project has evolved into a global commitment to the vital issues of social and climate change. “My Biology teacher, Chris O’Connor, met with us on his own time during lunch and after school. He listened to our ideas and actually made ecology a ‘cool’ thing to do.” She is still in touch with her mentor, emphatically stating, “I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing today if it wasn’t for Justin-Siena.”

When asked for one word that best describes our school, she immediately responded, “Open.” Currently she networks with diverse religious groups in 188 countries and firmly believes that her openness was nurtured by her Justin-Siena experience. In a community of tolerance and inclusion, “It was ok to be idiosyncratic. It was acceptable to be different.” Her advice for our students was, “Pay close attention to your moments of passion, they will faithfully guide you to your calling.”

 

Erin Kinda ’10
Production Coordinator, Pixar

Athletic Programs
Brandon LaRocco ’98
Head Football Coach, JS Braves

George Nessman
Athletic Director, Justin-Siena

Computer Animation
AJ Riebli ’87
Studio Creative and Cinematics Manager, TellTale Games

Education
Jim Day ’72
Teacher/Former Admin, Justin-Siena

Entrepreneur
Sarah Panis ’08
Founder and President, The Gritty Movement

Brett deLeuze ’83
President, ZD Wines

Finance/Accounting
David Sinclair ’99
Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Frank, Rimerman, and Co Insurance

Tim Malloy ’87
Partner, Malloy, Imrie and Vasconi Insurance Co.

Nursing
Gianna Wright ’09
RN, BSN, Stanford Healthcare

Jordan Wright ’05
RN, BSH, PHN, PCCN, John Muir Health-Concord Campus

Journalist
Gabby Morrongiello ’11
White House Correspondent,
Washington Examiner

Legal
Jon Dyer, JD
Instructor in Social Studies, Mock Trial Instructor, Justin-Siena; Author

Medicine
Dr. Michael Savino ’02
Radiologist, Kaiser Permanente

Military
Drew Dittman ’04
Fleet Marine Force Corpsman, US Navy

Nonprofit
May Boeve ’02
Executive Director, 350.org

Public Service
Kyle Lely ’02
Captain, Sonoma Valley Fire

Dominic Deguilio ’03
Corporal, Napa Police Department

School Counselor/Mental Health
Jill Woolley Sinclair ’99
Counselor, Justin-Siena

Social Work
Genny Say ’14
Social Worker, Queen of the Valley Hospital

Sports/Marketing
Megan Castellucci ’11
Asst. General Manager, Napa Silverados