The Braves Bulletin: Spring 2025

UPCOMING CALENDAR

Fri., 2/28

*St.Anthony's Service and Immersion Trip

7:00am - 3:00pm

*Freshman Retreat

9:00am - 3:10pm

Sat., 3/1 - Sun., 3/30

National Womens History Month

Wed., 3/5

Ash Wednesday Liturgy

Thurs., 3/6 - Sun., 3/9

ComedySportz

High School League

Thurs., Fri., Sat., - 6:30pm

Sun. - 2:00pm

Siena Hall

Mon., 3/10

SAT Testing Day

(on campus)

9:00am - 2:00pm

Wed., 3/12

Start Smart Safe Driving Program

6:00 - 8:00pm

Dining Hall

Fri., 3/14

St. Anthony's Service and Immersion Trip

7:00am - 3:00pm

Sat., 3/15

*Feast of St. Louise de Marillac

Sat. 3/15 - Sun., 3/23

Spring Break

Fri., 3/21

World Down Syndrome Day

Mon., 3/24 - Fri., 3/28

Inclusion Week

Tues., 3/25

Annunciation of the Lord

Wed., 3/26

St. Anthony's Service and Immersion Trip

7:00am - 3:00pm

Thurs., 3/27

Spring Sports Rally

Fri., 3/28

*St. Anthony's Service & Immersion Trip

7:00am - 3:00pm

*Honors Theatre Capstone: "Alice by Heart"

7:30 - 9:30pm

Mon., 3/31

Cesar Chavez Day

Tues., 4/1 - Wed., 4/30

National Arab American Heritage Month

Wed., 4/2 - Sat., 4/5

Kairos 48

Wed., 4/2

World Autism Awareness Day

Thurs., 4/3

St. Anthony's Service & Immersion Trip

7:00am - 3:00pm

Sat., 4/5

24 Hour Plays

Mon., 4/7

College Fest 2025

Dining Hall/The Commons

3:30 - 5:00pm

Wed., 4/9

St. Anthony's Service & Immersion Trip

7:00am - 3:00pm

Thurs., 4/10

New Student Welcome Night

Dining Hall/The Commons

6:00 - 8:00pm

Sat., 4/10

Combined Instrumental & Choral Music Concert

Siena Hall

3:30 & 7:30pm

Wed., 4/16

Grandparents Day

Thurs., 4/17

Holy Thursday

Thurs., 4/17 - Mon., 4/21

Easter Break/School Holiday

Opening Prayer

(excerpted from Ms. Mary Alice Spinelli,

Social Justice Prayer Service)

"On Valentine's Day, we celebrate the emotion of love. Love exists within many different types of relationships, and throughout our lives we will have the chance to experience many different types of love.

But there are two other aspects of love we want to talk about today - love as choice and love as a gift of self. An attraction to someone is a reaction, but it requires a risk to ask for someone’s contact information; it requires effort to dedicate time to that person and their needs; at a certain point it will require a choice to forgive, a choice to make sacrifices for, and a choice to have hope in a person. In other words, love is not just wanting the other person to be happy in an emotional way, but to do what is best for them.

This is the love that God is really good at, and by loving this way, we are invited into the Divine love of God in which love is a gift of self to another. This type of love is old and it is biblical. This love is the foundation of why we are here today gathered in this Social Justice Prayer Service.

Today, we are not looking to shed light on any one particular topic, but rather to talk about the role each of us can play in moving towards a more just world. There is no right or wrong social justice topic, just an invitation to participate in an issue that is important to you.

Each of us will have different passion points based on our experiences. And our passions will also be shaped by those we love. Because of each and every one of my students, you whom I love, my eyes have been opened to the experiences of those around me; whom I care about and your passion points have become mine. This does not mean we will always agree on the best way to address the issue or solve the problem, but I see your problems. I stand beside you, and I address the issue in my way, using my skills and personality.

Two weeks ago, Pope Francis wrote a letter to US Bishops about walking with the marginalized, in particular immigrants to the United States. The Pope said avoiding discrimination and performing charity is the responsibility of all people. This is my responsibility as well as yours. But these are big tasks; where do we start? Start with your passions and start with your experiences.

A couple weeks ago, I took my daughters to a "women in sports" event where Ruthie Bolton, a former WNBA player, was part of a panel. One little girl asked her how to go into a game with confidence when you are going against a bigger or better team. Ruthie’s advice was to find a way "to win." The win may not be shown on the scoreboard, but nonetheless it is important to find a way to win - maybe by improving your free throw percentage, your footwork, or your rebounds.

You might not be able to address all the problems of fires and loss, so start with the experience of your own childhood and focus on children’s books, or helping with soccer gear. If you cannot fix the entire access to healthcare problem, then focus on a blood drive. Each of the passion projects students are preparing are wonderful examples of how to take the right first step. The responsibility is on each of us to find our passion and find our way to winning this attempt.

Let us remember…

This Gasser Center art display showcases causes about which students are passionate.

Spotlight on Passion Projects

Throughout the course of the year, Student Ambassadors have sought to make a difference for meaningful causes in their lives. Highlighted in our February prayer service, here are three of the most recent successes!

June Kelly '25 led the way in partnering with Providence Queen of the Valley Hospital to create a piece of art that "symbolizes the unity between the Queen and Justin-Siena by representing our shared core values of compassion and service." Fellow members of the National Arts Honors Society also partnered in this touching artistic expression: Sophie Ha '25, Kayla Lopez '25, Evan Winkler '25, Julia Carr, '27 and Yiqing Zhan '27.

Learn more about the piece "Inside the Studio" below!

Seeking to give back to a sport that has given him so much, Griffin Messenger '26 spearheaded a month long baseball equipment drive to benefit First Chance Vallejo and Vallejo Little League. The drive netted over 400 pieces of baseball gear!

Culminating in a free youth clinic at Mare Island's Player Development Academy, Griffin and his teammates were able to inspire the next generation of local ballplayers!

Seniors Samantha Wahle, Taylor Stoppello, and Sophia Dominici set out to "...make sure everyone feels included," by organizing the fifth annual Better Together Ball!

The full red carpet treatment kicks off a night of singing and dancing, "Prom style!"

Thank you to everyone who helped make Justin-Siena's CRAB FEST

a huge success!

This year we raised the bar as we celebrated

our milestone 40th annual event.

CRAB FEST by the Numbers:

$360K Raised
450+ Attendees
150+ Parent and Student Volunteers
1,000+ Pounds of Crab Served
One $6K cake!

Support our 2025 Fund a Need Today!

ALLHEART Highlights

Read this year's edition of "Avanti" today!

Spanish IV scholars serve at Napa Valley Language Academy as a way to both support our community and practice their Spanish.

Students have been busy crunching the numbers, checking the variables, and getting a real feel for their subject matter in our Math Lab!

Mr. Flores has been busy looking to fill in as the next host of "Jeopardy!"

ANSWER:

This university is launching a new Medical School in 2026, and is the leader in producing African American graduates who go on to medical school. The only Catholic HBCU in the United States, they are also starting the very first rowing team at an HBCU to compete at the NCAA level.

Question:

(What is Xavier University of Louisiana?)

Senior Advisories recently got a chance to "unplug" while trying their hands at some good old fashioned family games!

Tickets on sale!

Our World Languages and Art Departments collaborated to take students to the de Young Museum in San Francisco.

Dr. Jill (Freeto) Kaplan '96 recently visited campus for a Health Careers Brown Bag event. Dr. Kaplan shared her insight on work ethic, balance, and career pathways with a full house in our College Counseling Center.

In keeping with "Throwback Thursday," it is fitting that we share the joy felt at our Class of 2025 Kindergarten Day! Students reunited with their partner school classmates, participated in childhood favorites, and spent some quality time with their parents as well!

Renowned stage and screen actor Claybourne Elder of HBO's "The Gilded Age" joined our Advanced Theatre class for a day to inspire, instruct, and interact with our students. Sharing a message of ambition, he also directed students on stage.

Having recently returned from Venaver Montana, students reflected on the power of immersion.

On Valentine’s Day, French classes learned about Saint Valentine by quizzing each other speed dating style while making cards for their friends or loved ones.

Students in Christian Scriptures classes read an article in the National Catholic Register on Gandhi's daily meditation on the Sermon on the Mount, and on the Bhagavad Gita, before creating visual mind maps to represent how this form of meditation might transform a person or a community.

Athletics

Our top-seeded, back-to-back VVAL champion girls basketball team

is heading to the NCS Championship game!

The big game, at Napa High's Messner Gym, will be played on Saturday at 7 pm, against former MCAL rival Marin Catholic. We will see you there!

Congratulations to our 5 wrestlers who medaled in the VVAL Championship meet! By virtue of their showing, they each earned appearances in the NCS Championships where Brynna Cohee '25 (5th place) and Jayden Wanalista '27 (8th place) paced the Braves. Jack Shea '25, Genevieve Maiden '27, and Rian Anonuevo '28 rounded out our league medalists. Stay tuned in the next edition of the Bulletin for a complete recap of the yet to be announced winter sports all-league teams.

Inside the Studio

June Kelly '25

AP 2D Art

Passion Project: Collaborative Charcoal Drawing for the

Queen of the Valley Hospital

Q: What is your Passion Project?

A: “Paint For A Passion” is a community-based project that brings artwork into hospitals to improve patients' and healthcare providers’ mental health. I was inspired to create this passion project because of my mother’s experience as a cancer survivor with hospital environments.

Q: What work/medium/style did you choose and why?

A: We chose to depict an image in charcoal of holding hands to symbolize Justin Siena’s growing unity with the Queen of the Valley Hospital, and emphasize our compassion for those suffering.

Q: You are in AP 2D Art; what are you currently working on?

A: I am currently working on my inquiry, which explores the process of dying from a neurological perspective. My last few pieces have focused on generational grief and the relationship between mother and daughter.

Q: What do you enjoy most about making art?

A: I love the freedom of creativity that I can express with my art. It is a way for me to learn more about the world around me and expand my perspective.

The Drowsy Chaperone