I am humbled to be a part of the 2022 Summerville HoF. To be included alongside dear friends and mentors that had such an impact on my life is truly an honor.

Summerville High School is more than just a learning institution, it’s a culture. Throughout my career, I’ve often leaned on the guidance, experience, and friends and mentors from Summerville to help me grow and reach my goals. Coach Ronten taught me the value of hard work, dedication, sacrifice, and the joy of competition. Mr. Degennaro and Mr. Nixon instilled a love of narrative and storytelling. Mr. Urquhart taught me empathy and kindness. Ms. Paquette lit a fire (literally) and a love for cooking. The list of mentors and friends goes on, and each has helped me become who I am today. I am forever grateful to the community, and the family that is Summerville High School.

One of the things I am proud of from my days at Summerville was starting the first-ever recycling program. Making the world a better place is still a fundamental personal goal and it started with a simple little idea. I also volunteered at the senior center and joined park clean-ups, as well as a variety of other community projects. It instilled an ethos to take action, give back, and ask “what can I do to make this a better place?”

If there’s one thing I cherish about Summerville it’s the common bond amongst our alum. Could be a week, could be a year, could be 10 years but I always feel at home and welcome when I see a familiar face.

To the current Bears I offer this advice: work hard, be kind, and dream big. Anything is possible. I’ve traveled and forged life-long friendships across the globe. I’ve worked with some of the biggest brands in the world.

I attended Pepperdine University and married my college sweetheart, Alma. Together we have 2 children, Eva, now playing college basketball in Santa Barbara, and Gabriel who is also an elite high school basketball player. They currently reside in Napa, CA with their dog Rusty. Gabriel runs content marketing for a leading software company, is a basketball trainer, and can’t wait to get back to Tuolumne.

And it’s all been possible because of the foundation that was built at Summerville. If a kid from a dirt road in Tuolumne can do it, so can you!

Go Bears!

Activities:

• Student Council – Treasurer
• Senior Class Vice President
• Honor roll
• California Representative at National Association of Student Councils
• 3 Years Varsity Basketball (1 JV)
• 1 year Varsity Baseball (2 JV)
• 1 year Track (JV)