Family Matters

Bryan continues to oversee the Transitional Housing program for San Pasqual Academy graduates. He also lives on campus and coaches the San Pasqual Dragons Varsity Boys Basketball team.

Josue joined the Navy shortly after graduating from San Pasqual Academy. He is almost finished with Navy Basic Training in Michigan. Josue stays in close touch with his younger brother, Jesus, who also attends San Pasqual Academy.

As quarterback of the San Pasqual Dragons, Josh led the football team to an undefeated 2006 season and the championship in the 8-Man Team division. He is currently playing on the basketball team. Josh still sleeps with Grandma Joan’s custom-made pillows “every night.”

Grandpa Bob can still be found weeknights in the Rec Room from 7:30 to 9:00 pm. He keeps a friendly eye on the students to make sure there’s no roughhousing. He’s also available for the occasional game of pool.

Jay has worked in several different capacities at San Pasqual Academy. His current official title is “childcare worker.” He’s one of several dozen adults who stay on campus to offer guidance and stability to the students.

Cindy has settled into the Transitional Housing house at San Pasqual where she dropped off her bag in our story. She has two roommates. Cindy works in retail and is studying to become an esthetician at a community college near the San Pasqual Academy.

Grandpa Jeff developed a new event held every Thursday called “Skit Night.” The students helped to build a small stage where they perform improv skits, music and dramatic readings. Grandpa Jeff also shoots and edits his own video productions. He photographed Graduation 2006 and gave a DVD to each of the graduates and volunteer grandparents.

Grandpa Howard and Grandma Jackie remain busy, rarely missing sporting events. They were especially proud of the football team - the undefeated San Pasqual Dragons! Grandma Jackie runs a cooking class on Tuesdays and Grandpa Howard still teaches the kids how to repair bikes and oversees the Tech Center, where his past work for IBM comes in handy.

Grandma Joan still let’s students choose their own fabric to make into pillows. Before long, she’ll hit the 1,000th mark. But she’s also come up with another new idea she remembers from her own childhood in Georgia - homemade ice cream! Many of the kids have never had such a treat. She says strawberry and real bean vanilla are the most popular flavors she’s making now.

Grandma Jane hosts the parties for kids who have birthdays that month. She helps to oversee the crafts classes, where students make - and get to keep - everything from t-shirts to wind chimes. She provides the raw materials, but says the kids provide the creativity.

Marcos still works at the campus cafe and lives in a Transitional Housing house at San Pasqual Academy with four roommates. He hopes to become a S.W.A.T. officer one day.

Taffe is the “house parent” at what is called “Girls 8″ which is both the number of the campus residence and the number of students living there. It’s the honors house at San Pasqual. After Graduation ‘06, Taffe received six new students.

Myles works in a retail store in the Bay Area. He still writes poetry and is attending a community college.

Mara has always wanted to teach elementary school kids. She received a full scholarship through San Pasqual Academy and now attends a college in Northern California, studying Education.

Grandmas Donna and Kellie - the dynamic mother/daughter duo - take students from the “Girls 8″ out every Wednesday to shop for groceries. Then they help cook the evening’s meal, which everyone eats together. Grandma Donna’s famous deviled eggs are demanded and devoured at most San Pasqual get-togethers.

Jerry and Jesus are still friends and teammates on the Mighty Dragons football team.

Grandma Jean is busy on Tuesdays teaching art class, on Wednesdays with her poetry slams, and on Thursdays with the new “Skit Night.”