The Fall 2020 semester is upon us. Classes started August 5. While the beginning of this school year may look a bit different due to COVID-19 restrictions, teachers are on campus and students are receiving a quality, Memorial education online. This month, we highlight inspiring alumni, campus updates and more in this Memorial Connections.
Campus Updates Ongoing

This summer, San Joaquin Memorial has been busy making important building improvements and safety renovations. When our students can return to campus, they will return to an extremely safe environment.

These improvements include:
  • Installing four bottle filling stations so that our students have adequate access to drinking water, thus eliminating drinking from the same fountain. 
  • Upgrading the bathrooms in the science building by installing automatic flushers, sinks and hand dryers to create a touchless environment and improve the overall sanitary conditions for our students. 
  • Increasing the amount of outdoor seating spaces (pictured above) for our students between the cafeteria area and the main locker room. This additional seating will help to disperse our student body during lunches and after school to allow for proper social distancing.
  • Planning and preparing for the implementation of safety protocols including the installation of hand sanitizer stations and sanitation systems. 

“In order to provide the students an environment suited for today's school, several much needed improvements have been made,” said John Hodges, Facilities Supervisor. “All these upgrades have been done with the students’ safety in mind during this time.”

Thank you to our SJM community for supporting the summer infrastructure upgrades by contributing to our summer appeal. Over $133,000 was raised for the San Joaquin Memorial Relief Fund. We would like to extend a special thank you to the St. Pat's Golf Committee for their additional pledge of $20,000 toward the bathroom renovation and water bottle filling stations.

The latest news about SJM's response to COVID-19 can be found at https://sjmhs.org/corona-virus-update
#SJM Excellence: San Joaquin Memorial Alumni Find Success


San Joaquin Memorial's illustrious alumni continuously demonstrate the excellence of a Memorial education and these four alumni are no exception.

John and Matt Edde '05 Find Success in Music, Video Innovations
John and Matt Edde have more than a decade of experience in video/digital content, ranging from producing feature documentaries to directing music videos for some of the world's top talent. After Memorial, the brothers studied Film and Television Production at the prestigious School of Film and Television at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, where they graduated in 2009. 
 
One of their earliest successes came while they were still in college, when they were tapped to aide in a groundbreaking new internet-based docu-series for the brotherly trio, Hanson. The Edde brothers collaborated on the critically-acclaimed “Taking the Walk” iTunes podcast chronicling the process, which skyrocketed to become the number one downloaded podcast in its debut week. Through their experience working with Hanson, Matt and John developed a unique ability to produce groundbreaking and innovative content that marries music with video, in a time when the consumer was shifting their look toward online, digital consumption.
 
The brothers have since landed directing roles on music videos for the likes of Big & Rich, Jon Pardi and Hunter Hayes, as well as documentary and promotional work with acts like Kenny Chesney, Brett Eldredge and many more.
 
The brothers have also found success in feature documentaries. While still full-time college students, a documentary they co-produced, “Facing the Fat” was honored at the Chicago United Film Festival in 2009 and the Los Angeles and New York United Film festivals in 2010. On the music side, they have expanded their documentary repertoire to include a follow-up feature documentary with Hanson titled “Re-Made in America: The Making of Anthem” along with a project with three-time ACM Vocal Group of the Year nominees, Randy Rogers Band, and a three-part documentary with ACM New Male Vocalist of the Year, Jon Pardi. 
 
In 2015, the Edde brothers struck out into the tech world when they co-founded VideoBomb with fellow entrepreneur and co-founder Chad Marcum. The app, currently available on the Apple App Store is gaining recognition with stars like Hunter Hayes and Hayley Orrantia (ABC’s The Goldberg’s) who have recently shared VideoBombs on social media. They have even appeared on the Today Show to promote the app.

Ellena Woodhams '08 Named to 40 Under 40

SJM Alumna Ellena Woodhams '08 was recently named to the 40 Under 40 Class for 2020 by "Automotive News," a national automotive trade publication.

Woodhams was one of two women named to the list from Fresno. Woodhams is the marketing director and compliance and outreach director at Fresno Acura. She is the daughter of Fresno Acura owner TheeAnna Stevens.

Read more about the 40 Under 40 Class by clicking here.


Johnny Pecina ‘06 Finds Success at CMAC

SJM alum Johnny Pecina has found success in digital media and more. Upon graduating from SJM in 2006, Pecina attended Fresno City College and California State University, Fresno where he majored in Mass Communications and Journalism (MCJ). Pecina has worked as a media professional for nearly a decade with experience in broadcast news (KMPH 26), lectured at CSU Fresno's MCJ Department and occasionally works as a freelance videographer for commercials and sports. 

Pecina is currently Programming Coordinator at a local nonprofit organization, the Community Media Access Collaborative (CMAC), and interfaces with the community and nonprofit organizations on a daily basis to assist with digital promotion and outreach.
Panther Babies

John Edde '05

John Edde '05 and his wife Jenna welcomed their first child into the world on November 25, 2019. He was born happy and healthy in Dallas, TX.












Laura (Mooneyham) Woods '05

Laura (Mooneyham) Woods '05 welcomed Malin Emma Anne Woods into the world on November 20, 2019 alongside her husband Max.

May They Rest in Peace... with God Forever

Stella Chavez passed away May 25, 2020. She is the mother of Rebecca Chavez Mestas '68, Richard Chavez '70, Juanita Chavez Aranaz '75, Rachel Chavez Rivera '81 and Rhonda Chavez Caprioglio '83. She is the grandmother of Carlo Mestas '96, Ana Maria Mestas '98, Miranda Mestas '00, Sergio Chavez '02, Maria Elena Mestas '02, Nicholas Ramirez '12, and Lauren Caprioglio '15. Click to read more about Stella's life.

John Leroy (Jack) Woolf Jr. passed away on July 28, 2020. He is the father of John L. Woolf '72, Michael T. Woolf '74 and Christopher R. Woolf ' 81. He is the grandfather of Samuel H. Franson '06, Elizabeth S. Franson '04, Ryann M. Woolf '07, Katie F. Woolf '05, George R. Woolf '23, and Clark C. Woolf '20. He is the father-in-law of Shelly Quinlan Woolf '81 and Mary Nagel Woolf '72. Click to read more about Jack's life.

Kathleen Nickels passed away on July 11, 2020. She is the mother of Laura Nickels White '89, Mary Nickels Palacios '80, Monia Nickels O'Rourke '83, Mathew Nickels '94, Joseph Nickels '88, Jeanne Nickels '83, David Nickels '84, and Patricia Nickels Murrin '86. She is the grandmother of Ryan O'Rourke '11, Megan O'Rourke '09, Kevin O'Rourke '14, and Katie O'Rourke '07. She is the mother-in-law of Robert O'Rourke '82. Click to read more about Kathleen's life.

Charles Joe Zingarelli passed away on July 15, 2020. Charles is the brother of Anna Zingarelli Harvill '51 and brother-in-law of Teresa Nolan Zingarelli '79. Click to read more about Charles' life.

Jean Delores Filgas passed away on July 22, 2020. She is the mother of Annette Filgas Simmons '84, Janell Filgas Mendoza '69, Joan Filgas Lepore '71, Cheryl Filgas Glenn '68, Dale Filgas '68, and Alan Filgas '70. She is the grandmother of Paul Mendoza '95 and Matthew Mendoza '91. She is the great-grandmother of Andrew Story ‘14 and Aaron Story ‘17. Click to read more about Jean's life.

Clifford Henes II passed away on July 20, 2020. He is the mother-in-law of Kathi Klein Hintz '68. Click to read more about Clifford's life.

Christopher Michael Peck '65 passed away on June 26, 2020. He is the brother of Maury Peck '77, Katie Peck '80, and Amy Peck Lazarus '75. He is the uncle of Kathleen Manock '10, Kelly Lazarus Wyatt '99, Kathleen Lazarus Bettini '97 and Elizabeth Hopkins '97. Click to read more about Christopher's life.

Clara Margaret Conway recently passed away. She is the mother of Connie Conway '68. Click to read more about Clara's life.

Ryan Lansing Ray passed away on July 2, 2020. He is the son of Gregory Ray '68 and the brother of Sean Ray '07. He is the nephew of Marcia Ray Shaw '69, Mark Ray '88, Jeffrey Ray '73, Brian Ray '85, Jennifer Ray McCall '70, and Monica Ray Lovgren '75. He is the cousin of Noelle Lovgren '12, Nicholas Lovgren '05, and Natalie Lovgren '06. Click here to read more about Ryan's life.

Keith Edward Brown passed away on June 28, 2020. He is the father of Michael Brown '07, David Brown '11, and Adam Brown '07. He is the uncle of Robert Vartan '00, Alexander Vartan '98, Elizabeth Miller '18, and Alexandra Miller '18. He is the brother-in-law of Mary Berberian Guiragossian '83, and Patricia Berberian '81. Click here to read more about Keith's life.

Ronald Diaso '54 passed away on May 26, 2020. Click here to read more about Ronald's life.

Brother John Achin FSC passed away on June 3, 2020. Brother John was a member of the De La Salle Christian Brothers for 62 years. He served as a teacher or counselor at numerous schools, including San Joaquin Memorial High School. Click here to read more about Brother John's life.

Betty Groppetti passed away on May 10, 2020. She is the great grandmother of Emilio Carvalho '22 and Emilie Couto '24. Click here to read more about Betty's life.

Maria Bell passed away in May of 2020. She is the mother-in-law of Hillary Bell '89. She is the grandmother of Michael Bell '22 and Joseph Bell '20.

Sister Mary Genevieve (Elizabeth "Betty Ann" Pistacchio) passed away on May 28, 2020. She is the sister of Sister St. Cecilia (Sandra Pistacchio) '59. She is the cousin of Florence Pistacchio Carrara '56, Joanne Bernardi Koch '57, Janice Pistacchio Harris '59, Georgene Pistacchio Sabbatini '63, and David Pistacchio '67. Click here to read more about Sister Mary Genevieve's life.

Michael Braley Gleason passed away on May 22, 2020. He is the uncle of Carolyn Gleason '13. Click here to read more about Michael's life.

Michael Emmet Predmore passed away on May 31, 2020. He is the father of Scott Predmore '85 and Darin Predmore '87. He is the brother-in-law of William Schuh '58 and Ernestine Schuh '58. He is the uncle of Phil Schuh '85, Michael Schuh '87, and Mark Schuh '81. He is the great uncle of Jason Schuh '17, Gracie Schuh '21, Emma Schuh '19, Emily Schuh '21, Charles Schuh '03, Beaux Schuh '05, and Ashlee Schuh '15. Click here to read more about Michael's life.
Call for Class Notes

Have you recently gotten married, had a baby or experienced a big life moment that you want to share with your fellow Memorial alumni? Have updates about your reunion? Share them with us! Submit announcements to advancement@sjmhs.org.
Alumni Contact Update
Panther Alums, even though your time here at Memorial has passed, this is still your home! Please stay connected with us so that you can be part of our exciting engagement opportunities such as our sporting event pre-game dinners, alumni mixers and so much more! To stay connected, please fill out this form.

Call for SJM Memorabilia

Do you have SJM memorabilia from the past 75 years? If you have items you would like to share with us for our 75th anniversary, please contact Shirley Boujikian at sboujikian@sjmhs.org
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