RANCHO CIELO Pictured: A group of Rancho Cielo graduates Photo by Topher Mueller Cheers to the 2020 Graduates! In this Issue In a graduation unlike any other at Rancho Cielo, Construction Academy graduate Bryan G. Cheers Rancho Cielo gave his commencement speech to a camera instead of a crowd. “I am a recovering addict, a Grads convicted felon, a product of my environment but I am also a son, a brother, an uncle, a friend and although I was also a statistic, I overcame that statistic because I chose to change my life Graduation Highlights around,” he begins. Alumni Spotlight: Jose Bryan and 28 other students from the Construction Academy, Drummond Culinary Academy, Luis Luna Silver Star Youth Program, and Ag Mechanics & Electrical Program “turned their lives around” at Rancho Cielo. They earned their John Muir Charter School high school diplomas this school year. Thank You to Our 17 of those students were a part of the first graduating class from the Ted Taylor Ag Vocational Donors Center. Of the graduates, over 70% are heading on to higher education. The rest have secured employment. Recruitment for the Upcoming School Year Although they were thrown off track by COVID-19 and the shelter-in-place order that followed, the other Rancho Cielo students continue to push forward. Of the students who did not graduate, Veggie Boxes and 100% are planning to re-enroll at Rancho Cielo in the Fall. Drive-thru BBQ As Bryan finished his speech, he reminds the crowd of how far he has come and lets other students know what is possible. “I am proud to not only say but demonstrate to my community that even if we start off on the wrong path, it is never too late to take a right and walk towards and through the right path, because nothing is impossible, even when it seems that way.” Page 1 • SUMMER 2020 Graduation 2020 To view more photos and video from graduation, go to Facebook.com/RanchoCieloYouthCampus. Photo credit: Topher Mueller and Juan Avila Photography. Alumni Spotlight Drummond Culinary Academy alum Jose L. has big dreams. He plans to follow his passion and join the Marines later this year. After beingUpcoming unsuccessful in traditional Events high school, Jose, 21, earned his high school diploma and vocational certificate in culinary last summer. He believes that the skills he learned in the kitchen will help him serve our country. “In the Culinary Academy, you have to be disciplined, listen, and keep a cool head in tough situations. When we are in the kitchen, we have to be a cohesive unit working together for a goal. This really aligns with some of the core values of the Marines,” he says. Jose has continued to live on campus while he prepares saying, “The Transitional Housing Village provides students with a place that’s not toxic.” At the Ranch, he can focus on his bootcamp training without having to worry about a place to sleep each night. Plus, Jose has a team of Rancho Cielo staff encouraging him and pushing him to succeed. Jose hopes to have a lifelong career in the military. “I’m patriotic about our country. I want to be one of the few who are able to join one of the hardest branches and serve our country.” Board of Directors Mike Costa, Chair Troy Boutonnet Dr. Shyam Kamath Emeritus Susie Brusa, CEO Pete Delgado, Vice Chair Pamela Butler Lorri Koster Judge John M. Phillips, Jesse Lopez, Treasurer Janine Chicourrat Jazmín Lopez Founder Manny González, Sec. Walt Duflock Cosme Padilla Ted Balestreri Mike Avila Jeri Gattis Joanne Taylor Bert Cutino, CEC, AAC, HOF, WCMC Susan Black Sal Gutierrez Page 2 • SUMMER 2020 Thank you to the donors who make all that we do possible! Listed below are donors who have given 1st Capital Bank Chevron The Fish Hopper A & R Fresh, LLC Elio & Geraldine Chiappe Chef Todd Fisher Andre & Teri Adam Chilton & House, LLP Food Fleet, Inc. James & Jean Agan Monterey Wine Festival Education Foothill Packing Nat & Lillian Agliano Foundation Gwendolyn Foster Wallace & Peggy Ahtye Christensen & Giannini Gary & Rose Franscioni Peter & Anne Albano Church Brothers LLC Sam & Vanda Funk Alco Water Service Cima Collina Galante Vineyards Amazon Smile Kevan Clarke Jim & Jeri Gattis American Culinary Federation Monterey Bay Beverly Cleary Donald & Frances Gaver Chapter Gloria Clinton Dan & Peggy Gerosin Leslie Andersen Coca-Cola Company Alice Gill Anonymous (2) Dorothy Cody David & Susan Gill Tanimura & Antle Colad Charitable Trust Bonnie Gillooly Hank & Julie Armstrong CYO Events/Crystal Murphy Vearl & Sharon Gish Arts Council for Monterey County Comanche Cellars Kurt Gollnick & Janet Rodgers Nancy Ausonio Comerica Charitable Foundation Manny & Debbie Gonzalez Greg & Deborah Avilez Community Foundation for Monterey County William Gould Azcona Harvesting Jim Copeland & Debbie McFarland Granite Construction Sally Bagley Corral de Tierra Country Club GY Investigation Bank of America Charitable Foundation Anthony Costa & Sons/Costa Family Farms John Hain & Jennifer Allen Barnet Segal Charitable Trust Mike & Kim Costa James & Anne Hall Greg & Michelle Beach George & Debra Couch III Cliff Halverson & Laurie Hedden Anna Beck Maurice & Claudia Coury Lyman & Beverly Hamilton David & Rachel Beck Robert & Diane Creasey Jim & Julianne Hansen Elgie Bellizio German Criollo Jody Hansen Bengard Ranch, Inc. Spencer & Lila Critchley Harden Foundation Law Office of C. Denise Benoit Rich & Karen Curtis Larry E. Hayes Bernardus Winery Erik & Kristin Cushman Nancy Eccles & Homer M Hayward Family Law Office of Lawrence E. Biegel Steve & Marjatta Daniels Foundation Blair Vineyards D’Aquanno Family Trust Headley Farms LLC Michael Botkin D’Arrigo Bros. Ken & Anne Helms Tim & Gina Boubion Ryan Stephen & Iris Dart Peter & Jackie Henning Boutonnet Farms, Inc. Dawn’s Dream Winery Robert & Mary Herendeen Ed & Rosa Boutonnet Pete & Martha Delgado Chef Kevin Hincks Diane Braga John & Gail Delorey Kenneth Hinshaw Dr. Ronald & Mary Branson Steven & Sona Dennis Jeff & Diana Hitchcock Jean Brenner Candi DePauw Carol Lee Holland Teri Breschini & Stella Perea DHM Enterprises, LLC Kendra Howell Suzanne Brodeur Jim & Gloria Didion Kevin & Stephanie Hulsey Marilyn Brown Roger & Rochelle Dolan Huntington Farms Jim Bruno Bill & Nancy Doolittle iHeartMedia - KDON-FM, KION-AM/FM, David & Letty Brusa Suzanne Dorrance KOCN-FM, KRPC-FM, KTOM-FM Stan & Susie Brusa Chris & Loree Dowse Jessie Barker McKellar Foundation Paulette Bumbalough Driscoll’s Ron & Lynn Johnson Peter & Jamie Bundy Susan DuCoeur Kasavan Architects Corey & Pamela Butler Duda Farms Fresh Foods Richard & Susan Kasbeer Sam Buttrey & Elinda Hardy Margaret Duflock Charles & Carol Keller Ricky & Cecy Cabrera Bruce Dunlap & Carol Kolb Mark & Carolyn Kelton California American Water Dunspaugh-Dalton Foundation Michael Kidd California Giant Berry Farms John & Nancy Durein King City Nursery, LLC David & Lilly Campos Walter Eisank & Hope Hayward Eisank Kleen Globe, Inc. Frank & Betty Campos Elkhorn Packing Co., LLC Tim & Alice Knapp The Cannery Row Company, The Sardine Dale & Jennifer Ellis Kirkor Kocek Jewelry Factory, The Balestreri & Cutino Families John (Jack) Enbom The Kofoed Family Trust Carmel Host Lions Foundation Esteban Restaurant at Casa Munras Tom & Lorri Koster Carmel Valley Packing, Inc. Fandango Steve Kurtz & Elizabeth Mirante Carmel Valley Ranch Bill & Adela Fell Dennis & Kathie Lane Don & Barbara Chapin Jr., The Don Fenton & Keller Paul & Linda Sue Lapidus Chapin Companies Sue Finley Leavy Family Charitable Fund Charter Oak Foundation Andrew Fischer Paul & Barbara Lee Page 3 • SUMMER 2020 Our students can’t achieve these outcomes without you! FIVE CONSECUTIVE YEARS (2015-2019). Les Dames D’Escoffier Pacific Valley Bank So Mo Co Labor Supply L’Hoist North America Cosme & Juanita Padilla South County Newspapers / NewsSVMedia Lee & Julie Lorenzen Gary & Beverly Palma Southern Monterey County Foundation Carol Lowrey Jimmy & Carrie Panetta Terry & Julie Spitz Lucia Restaurant at Bernardus Lodge Marcia Parsons Betty Jean Stallings Luis Scattini & Sons, LP Arthur & Elizabeth Pasquinelli Star Sanitation Byron & Melanie Lynn Ronald Paul & Nora Katherine Holdener Jack & Karen Steadman Betsy MacGowan Pebble Beach Company Foundation Adeline Stennick Macy’s/ Bloomingdale’s Peerless Coffee & Tea Katherine Stoner & Michelle Welsh John Mahoney Peter & Vicki Pellerito Steve & Roxanne Storm Albert & Gayle Maldonado Rich & Sandra Pepe Sue Storm Christopher Manke & Lesley Miller Manke Robert & Mara Perkins Sturdy Oil Company Mann Packing Company, Inc. & The Nucci & John & Patti Phillips Tanaka Farms/SMT Farms, LLC Ramsey Families Pinnacle Bank Richard & Janet Taylor Cotter Marina Motorsports, Inc. Richard & Mary Ann Pirotte Taylor Farms James & Susan McCall James Poland Joanne Taylor Richard & Patricia McDermott Portola Hotel & Spa/Peter B’s Ron & Barbara Tempalski McIntyre Vineyards Mel & Joy Pritchard Testarossa Winery Steve & Kim McIntyre Puma Road/Pessagno Winery The Alexander F. Victor Foundation Michael & Nicki McMahan Quail Lodge & Golf Club The American Institute of Wine & Food Alan & Marilyn McMasters Quest Foundation The Boand Family Foundation Michael McMillan Rabobank The Dune Company of Salinas Kelly & Teresa McMillin Ramco The Paul Davis Partnership Arlene Mead William Ramsey The Perry and Barbara Miller Family Jairo & Gerrie Majia Jerry & Natalie Rava, Fresh Foods, Inc. Foundation Stan & Sharon Meresman Brent & Susan Redmond TNT Insurance Susan Merrill Patrick & Stacy Redo Topflavor Farms Martin & Rosemary Metzger Michael Rianda Toro Petroleum Corp Fred & Phyllis Meurer Rijk Zwaan, USA