David Stringfellow (Class of 2017)
David Stringfellow (Class of 2017)
Embedded Files
Q: Current occupation
A: Flight Instructor
Q: What post high school education did you pursue?
A: B.S. Construction Management, Commercial Flight Training.
Q: Describe your career path and current occupation
A: Flight Instructor at Ramona Airport with aspirations of being an Aerial Firefighter.
Q: What JHS experience(s) helped prepare you for your future career?
A: Note taking and critical thinking in Mr. Munson’s class, Senior experience, and various encouraging moments with such supportive teachers.
Q: Do you have a favorite high school memory you would like to share?
A: Physics class and Mountain bike racing with friends.
Q: What are you most proud of achieving since leaving JHS?
A: Getting married!
Q: How did attending JHS help form the person you are today?
A: Attending JHS taught me how to become friends with anyone! Since you become so tight with all your classmates, you are forced to interact with people much different than yourself. You learn their backgrounds, interests, worldviews, etc.. In the world at large, people gravitate to like people, which creates a host of societal issues. After moving on from high school I realized the skill of relating with anyone is rare.
Q: What were you passionate about in high school?
A: Mountain bike racing
Q: What are you passionate about now?
A: Following Jesus, family, flying, the outdoors.
Q: What obstacle(s) have you faced that have helped mold you into the person you are today?
A: Relationships, living in different places, a career change.
Q: Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your high school self?
A: Take advantage of opportunities around you. Seek mentors. Pursue your passions, even if it’s not mainstream.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A: Enjoying my family and fighting fires with an airplane.
Eileen Redding Tellam (Class of 1951)
Eileen Redding Tellam (Class of 1951)
Q: Current occupation
A: Retired elementary school teacher - grades 3 and 5
Q: What post high school education did you pursue?
A: I earned a BA in Elementary Education from San Diego State University.
Q: Describe your career path and current occupation
A: Started my college degree at the University of Redlands for 2 ½ years, had 4 boys then finished my BA in Elementary Education at San Diego State. My first job was working as a teachers aide at Spencer Valley then I substituted at Julian Elementary and Warners. I was hired at Julian Elementary to teach 5th grade and it was fun to have my son Allan in my class. Over the next 25 years I taught 5th and 3rd grades. After retiring I had many local jobs like Dudleys and The Farmers Stand in Escondido.
Q: What JHS experience(s) helped prepare you for your future career?
A: Because it was small we all participated in everything. I was in the orchestra, cheerleading, and asb/class officer. I had lots of experiences. My father was the principal/superintendent and I was used to having him around. An interesting fact that most people don’t know is the annex was where I went to 1st - 8th grades. High school, 9th -12th grades was in the main building now, excluding the multipurpose room and office areas, which weren’t built until 1952. Also, the gym didn’t have bleachers or restrooms until 1952 as well. The main steps going up into the Little Theater were actually outside of the building, they were exterior steps.
Q: Do you have a favorite high school memory you would like to share?
A: Winter Prom and Girls Hi Jinx (a yearly variety show). Life back then revolved around the high school and the community was very involved. Parents came to the Proms, which all classes attended, they were very inclusive. As kids we expected the community to support our activities, which they did. I worked in the Tozer Drug Store for 4 years, which kept me busy during the summers and weekends.
Q: What are you most proud of achieving since leaving JHS?
A: I’m most proud of our children, Steve, Mike, John and Allan. It is such a joy to me to know my former students as friends, experiencing their lives and occupations.
Q: What were you passionate about in high school?
A: Playing the violin, loved physical education and serving as an officer. I did tap, ballet and gymnastics and went on to teach beginning tap (to help pay for my gymnastics classes).
Q: What are you passionate about now?
A: I am so lucky and so grateful that I live in this area with this community; friends, family and even the people I don’t know. I get to meet new friends all the time.
Q: What obstacle(s) have you faced that have helped mold you into the person you are today?
A: Having been born during the Great Depression helped make me into the frugal person I am today. There is so much that can be done with so little.
Q: Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your high school self?
A: I wish I had realized how fortunate I was at the time. Enjoy every moment and be grateful
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A: High hopes that I’ll be right here in Julian, thriving and living my best life.
Russll Engevik (Class of 1974)
Q: Current occupation
A: Retired
Q: What post high school education did you pursue?
A: Bachelor of Science-Biological Science; Medical School
Q: Describe your career path and current occupation
A: Graduated from Biola College 1979. Graduated from George Washington University Medical School 1983. Joined the US Army Health Profession Scholarship Program to pay for medical school, incurring a 7 year pay back obligation that I fulfilled June 1990.
My specialty is Emergency Medicine. Upon exiting the ArmyI secured a position with Sharp Healthcare and over the next 9 years worked in all the Sharp system Emergency Departments except Sharp Memorial. Worked mainly at Sharp Cabrillo Hospital ED in Point Loma until it closed in 1999.
1999-2014 I worked in Palomar/Pomerado Emergency Departments. I retired from medicine the end of 2014 after 31.5 years
Q: What JHS experience(s) helped prepare you for your future career?
A: A sentinel event occurred during my senior year when I was speaking with a (unnamed) counselor regarding what I would do with my life. Being a smart aleck I said "Maybe I'll go to medical school". There was absolutely no scholastic record thus far to support that statement.
Without giving himself a microsecond to think about his reaction he blurted "You'll never make it"
Q: Do you have a favorite high school memory you would like to share?
A: Loved the PE classes, long before they were ruined by being co-ed. Several semesters took 2 PE periods to temper the overactive impulses.
Q: How did attending JHS help form the person you are today?
A: Being from a tiny "no-name" school has a way of keeping you humbly on your toes.
Q: What are you most proud of achieving since leaving JHS?
A: Being named in San Diego Magazine Top Doctors Physicians of Excellence issue 9 times. 2003-2013. Only 47 physicians in all San Diego County could make that claim.
Q: What were you passionate about in high school?
A: Unfortunately nothing; was too unfocused and rudderless.
Q: What are you passionate about now?
A: Living each day with humility and gratitude; recognizing the value of one of Jim Baker's rules: "Are we lucky or what!"
Q: What obstacle(s) have you faced that have helped mold you into the person you are today?
A: Surviving the literally abusive and brutal residency training (first year average work week was 104 hours-no kidding) brought out resilience that made lesser challenges manageable.
Q: Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your high school self?
A: Take stock early (ideally with the guidance of a trustworthy adult) of your strengths and weaknesses. Then work to improve yourself on both
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A: Hopefully still living the dream.
Alec Helm (Class of 2018)
Q: Current occupation
A: Afterschool Program Coordinator
Q: What post high school education did you pursue?
A: Currently in college
Q: Describe your career path and current occupation
A: After the pandemic working some dead-end jobs I started working at the Julian Pathways afterschool program as an activity leader and after a couple years was able to become the coordinator of the program. I get to plan out the camps we do, day to day schedules for my staff and make the program a fun and safe place for our students.
Q: What JHS experience(s) helped prepare you for your future career?
A: Teaching me to be kind and respectful towards my peers and fellow people in life.
Q: Do you have a favorite high school memory you would like to share?
A: Definitely has to be Mr. Marushige and going to his class yelling out buddy, he made math super easy for me and continued it to where I want to become a math teacher.
Q: How did attending JHS help form the person you are today?
A: My friends and the staff back then were amazing supports for me throughout my high school and in life.
Q: What are you most proud of achieving since leaving JHS?
A: Getting the current position I am at!
Q: What were you passionate about in high school?
A: Math and high jump for track and field.
Q: What are you passionate about now?
A: My job and theatre.
Q: What obstacle(s) have you faced that have helped mold you into the person you are today?
A: Getting through difficult mental blocks and barriers over time.
Q: Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your high school self?
A: Don't stress so much about life and college, you got this!
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A: A successful math teacher.
A. Rudolph "Rudy" Rikansrud (Class of 1961)
Q: Current occupation
A: Retired Captain - American Airlines
Q: What post high school education did you pursue?
A: Bachelor of Arts - UCSB, Captain- U.S. Army, Helicopter Flight School, Using V.A. Benefits to acquire Airplane Ratings
Q: Describe your career path and current occupation
A: Army OCS, Helicopter Flt. School, Airplane Flight Instructor, Alaskan Bush Pilot, and Airline Pilot into Retirement.
Q: What JHS experience(s) helped prepare you for your future career?
A: Being involved in sports helped me to become a better team player in life.
Q: Do you have a favorite high school memory you would like to share?
A: By having excellent high school teachers, it helped me to become a better flight instructor.
Q: How did attending JHS help form the person you are today?
A: A small high school allows one to participate in so many activities.
Q: What are you most proud of achieving since leaving JHS?
A: Having the career I chose.
Q: What were you passionate about in high school?
A: Studying, basketball, track & field, and girls!
Q: What are you passionate about now?
A: Contributing to the community by being a member of the Julian Community Planning Group and a Board Member - Julian Historical Society.
Q: What obstacle(s) have you faced that have helped mold you into the person you are today?
A: We all face hard choices - I like Yogi Berra’s advice: "When you come to a fork in the road - TAKE IT!"
Q: Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your high school self?
A: Remember - We don’t become better from our "successes" but by learning from our "mistakes".
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A: Hopefully - still "above" the grass.
Britni Mushet (Class of 2000)
Q: Current occupation
A: A-G Support Coordinator Warner Unified School District
Q: What post high school education did you pursue?
A: Just three weeks after graduating from Julian High School, I pursued my cosmetology license and began my career as a hairdresser. Over the years, I took on a variety of roles — including lifeguard, receptionist, and waitress — because I’ve always enjoyed staying busy and learning new things. Eventually, I became a proud mother. My daughter Kaylee, now a senior at Santana High School, plans to pursue a career as a registered nurse after graduation. My son Kasen, currently 14, attends Julian Union School District and will be graduating from 8th grade this year. He’s been exploring future careers in either the fire service or military. After working alongside my mom at Pistols & Petticoats for many years, I spent some time living in different cities to see what else the world had to offer. A few years later, I decided to return to Julian and, with that, chose to grow my family once more. My youngest daughter, Grace, recently began Transitional Kindergarten (TK) at Julian Union School and will officially start Kindergarten this fall. One of the things I’m most proud of is that all three of my children have attended the same elementary school I did as a child.
Q: Describe your career path and current occupation
A: After years of working in cosmetology and in customer service roles, I discovered a deeper passion for helping others. I began searching for work that truly meant something to me — something that made a difference — and that’s when I became the Resource Coordinator for Julian Pathways. Just six months in, I was fully immersed in the work and was given an incredible opportunity: to bring the same types of supportive services offered by Pathways to the students of Warner Unified.
As I got to know the Warner Springs community, I quickly realized my heart was in it for the long run. That passion drove me to take on the role of Executive Director of the Warner Springs Community Resource Center. For two years, I provided vital programs such as educational workshops, community events, gardening initiatives, food distributions, necessities for students and families, and access to health services, including vision, dental, and vaccinations.
Unfortunately, like many nonprofit roles, the position was tied to limited funding, and by the end of 2024, I had to make a transition. Thankfully, my journey with Warner wasn’t over — I was hired by the Warner Unified School District and began a new chapter just across the highway as the A-G Support Coordinator.
Now, for those wondering, what is A-G? These are the core courses students must take to graduate high school and, even more importantly, to be eligible to apply to a University of California or Cal State school. I hit the ground running in my new role and, in just three months, helped launch credit recovery courses, a Driver’s Ed program and coordinated a College & Career Fair for students from Warner, Julian, and Borrego Springs High Schools. I work alongside our school counselor and continue learning every day — which has inspired me to go back to school myself to pursue a degree in education.
It may take time to figure out your path in life, and for me, I say, “Now in my 40s, I finally know what I want to be when I grow up.” We all arrive at our passions in different ways and at different times, but I know I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
Today, I’m proud to live in the beautiful town of Julian with my three wonderful children. Even more exciting — as a fifth-generation Julian native, I had the honor of running for our local school board last year… and I won. I’m now proudly serving on the Julian High School Board — a position I never imagined I'd hold, but one I’m deeply honored to fulfill.
Julian is, and always will be, home.
Q: Do you have a favorite high school memory you would like to share?
A: My favorite memories of high school will always be my friends. I carry them with me in my heart every day. Some of the most amazing people I shared those years with have been lost far too soon, and the time we had together is something I’ll never forget. The laughter, the moments, the bond we built — it all stays with me. Those friendships shaped who I am, and I’ll always be grateful for them.
Q: How did attending JHS help form the person you are today?
A: I think growing up in a small town — and attending a small school — comes with its own unique set of benefits. In a place like Julian, if you weren’t kind, everyone knew about it. And if you helped someone, well, everyone knew about that too. The heart of someone from a small town is truly like no other.
I’ve always been a personable person, and I believe JHS gave me the sense of security and comfort I needed to feel confident speaking with others. That foundation helped shape who I am today — and it's something I’ll always be thankful for.
Q: What are you most proud of achieving since leaving JHS?
A: Being back as a School Board member. Walking the same halls I once did as a student — now as someone helping guide the future of Julian High School — is something truly special. It's more than just a position; it's a chance to give back to the community that helped raise me.
What makes it even more meaningful is that my own children are now part of this same journey. Watching them attend the same schools I did, in the same town that’s been home to generations of my family, fills me with pride. Julian isn’t just where I live — it’s where my roots run deep. It’s where my family has grown, and where I continue to grow alongside them.
Serving on the board is not just about making decisions — it’s about honoring the past, supporting the present, and investing in the future. For me, it’s all connected — family, community, and the heart of Julian.
Q: What were you passionate about in high school?
A: In high school, I was passionate about the connections I had with my friends and the simple joys of small-town life. I loved being involved — whether it was riding my horse in the homecoming parade with my best friend or making memories with the classmates I’d known since kindergarten.
If I could share one piece of advice, it would be this: high school goes by so quickly, and you can’t get those years back. As much as we all looked forward to getting out on our own, take time to enjoy the moment, the friendships, and everything that makes those years special.
Q: What are you passionate about now?
A: My greatest passion now will always be my three children. They are my world, my reason, and the heart behind everything I do. They’ve shaped who I am today, and I’m endlessly proud to be their mom.
Q: What obstacle(s) have you faced that have helped mold you into the person you are today?
A: If life ever handed anyone lemons, I think I got more than just a bag full. Or maybe it's like that old saying — “Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get.”
Life hasn’t always been rainbows and unicorns, but it's been the challenges, the setbacks, and the unexpected twists that have made me stronger every single day. I’ve learned to find strength in the struggle and purpose in the journey — and for that, I’m grateful.
Q: Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your high school self?
A: Dream big. Don’t be afraid to chase the life you imagine, even if it feels out of reach. Trust that the hard times will shape you, not break you. Believe in your voice, your worth, and your ability to create a life filled with meaning. You’re capable of more than you know — so never let fear or doubt hold you back.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A: Teaching 2nd grade at Julian Elementary School — right back where it all began. I hope to be in a classroom full of curious minds, smiles, and laughter, helping guide the next generation in the same small-town school that helped shape me.
Shaun Rainey (Class of 2007)
Q: Current occupation
A: Sports Anchor
Q: What post high school education did you pursue?
A: Broadcast Journalism Degree
Q: Describe your career path and current occupation
A: Started as sports reporter and now I’m the main sports anchor and oversee all sports reporters for the state of Montana for our company.
Q: What JHS experience(s) helped prepare you for your future career?
A: Playing every sport possible
Q: Do you have a favorite high school memory you would like to share?
A: Loved playing sports and just being with all the guys for road trips.
Q: How did attending JHS help form the person you are today?
A: Allowed me to learn how to be a leader
Q: What are you most proud of achieving since leaving JHS?
A: Doing what I always had a passion for and sticking with it. Earning Montana Sportscaster of Year multiple times and establishing roots and a family in Montana
Q: What were you passionate about in high school?
A: As anyone who knew me would know…sports
Q: What are you passionate about now?
A: Same. Sports.
Q: What obstacle(s) have you faced that have helped mold you into the person you are today?
A: The Cedar Fires, going to a new state on my own and putting myself through school with no financial help
Q: Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your high school self?
A: You don’t have to go to a 4 year right away. Create as little debt for yourself as possible because it will handicap your future earnings in a way that you didn’t realize.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A: Kind of doing the same thing, continuing to raise a family in Montana and enjoying life.
Sarah Kelly (Class of 2007)
Q: Current occupation
A: BA and Teaching Credential from Cal State University San Marcos
Q: What post high school education did you pursue? (degrees, certifications, jobs, etc)
A: BA and Teaching Credential from Cal State University San Marcos
Q: Describe your career path and current occupation
A: I am currently the Transitional Kindergarten teacher at Julian Elementary School. This is my 3rd year teaching back at Julian and I love it. It truly feels like a full circle moment teaching at the school I started from.
Q: Do you have a favorite high school memory you would like to share? (Courses, teachers, extra-curricular activities, etc)
A: My favorite teacher/ Coach was my chemistry teacher Mr. Mark Aumann because he made me work diligently in his class and on the court for basketball. He made me feel valued as an individual.
Q: How did attending JHS help form the person you are today?
A: It helped me gain focus on what I wanted in life and with the help of a few individuals at the school I was able to see the path to achieve my goals. I believe the small town atmosphere Julian provides gives the children in this community a safe space to grow.
Q: What are you most proud of achieving since leaving JHS?
A: I am proud I was able to become a teacher and utilize the degree I received. I am proud to have married my wonderful husband Philip Kelly and our three awesome children we're raising together (Deacon, Emmett, and Marlene). Lastly, I am proud of the property we were able to purchase to begin building our dream ranch on.
Q: What were you passionate about in high school?
A: Music and sports
Q: What are you passionate about now?
A: Music and our ranching endeavors
Q: What obstacle(s) have you faced that have helped mold you into the person you are today?
A: As much as I loved growing up in a small community like Julian, leaving it to go to college came with a tough learning curve on what the real world was like.
Q: Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your high school self?
A: To not worry so much about forces out of my control. To stay focused on the things within my grasp and things will work out the way they are intended to.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A: Here in Julian. Still happily teaching at my wonderful school.
Nicolas Ritchie (Class of 2017)
Q: Current occupation
A: Audio Engineer
Q: What post high school education did you pursue? (degrees, certifications, jobs, etc)
A: Certificate in Audio Engineering
Q: Describe your career path and current occupation
A: After graduating high school, I attended the Musicians Institute and received a Certificate in Audio Engineering. After that, I moved back to Julian and began an internship at Signature Sound Studios in San Diego, where I have worked ever since. I worked my way up to Recording Studio Manager, and expanded my engineering work from music projects towards audiobooks and voiceovers for movies and TV shows.
Q: What JHS experience(s) helped prepare you for your future career?
A: Funny as it sounds, it was actually the leniency of the teachers my senior year. Being allowed to hang out and listen to music, instead of doing something more “productive”, totally fostered my interest in pursuing audio engineering. Don’t underestimate a little free time!
Q: Do you have a favorite high school memory you would like to share? (Courses, teachers, extra-curricular activities, etc)
A: I always loved the homecoming float building day in the parking lot every year. It was fun to have the whole school involved.
Q: How did attending JHS help form the person you are today?
A: In such a small school, I learned to see each person as a unique individual with their own beautiful life, rather than a faceless number. Transfers nicely into adult life.
Q: What are you most proud of achieving since leaving JHS?
A: Starting a family that I love, having a career that I love, and learning to have an open mind.
Q: What were you passionate about in high school?
A: Music and working out
Q: What are you passionate about now?
A: The whole everything! My family, music, movies, reading, cooking, working out, the outdoors.
Q: What obstacle(s) have you faced that have helped mold you into the person you are today?
A: My own self pity along the way. Learning to acknowledge the immense privilege I have in life was an important thing to do.
Q: Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your high school self?
A: Be gentle with people, and yourself. It’s not hard to be a good person.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A: Wherever the wind blows.
Kamisha Hensley Greene (Class of 2010)
Q: Current occupation
A: FHL Realty Broker
Q: What post high school education did you pursue? (degrees, certifications, jobs, etc)
A: Real Estate Broker
Q: Describe your career path and current occupation
A: After 5 years of working under another local Broker, I opened my own Real Estate Brokerage in 2018, FHL Realty.
Q: What JHS experience(s) helped prepare you for your future career?
Graduating in a class of 47 students helped me understand the importance of relationships and collaboration with all people, those you agree with and those you don't.
Q: How did attending JHS help form the person you are today?
A: Attending a small high school taught me the importance of getting along with people from all walks of life. As humans we don't always share the same perspectives, cultures, and values but we can still share love and kindness and work together to achieve a common goal.
Q: What are you most proud of achieving since leaving JHS?
A: The life my husband and I have created for our family is my favorite ongoing mission and accomplishment. To raise our children in an environment that is full of God's Love, Joy, Peace, and Protection is an abundant blessing.
Q: What were you passionate about in high school?
A: I have always been a passionate person in all areas of life. In high school whether it be sports, FFA, politics, or any endeavor for that matter, I've always had the mentality of putting in 110%.
Q: What are you passionate about now?
A: In my life now, I am passionate about my family, God, our health, education, and friendships.
Q: What obstacle(s) have you faced that have helped mold you into the person you are today?
A: The loss of relationships with family and friends has taught me the importance of nurturing those relationships, being slow to speak and quick to forgive. Reconciliation is always worth the effort.
Q: Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your high school self?
A: To listen more and talk less. To seek God and wise counsel. To bight my tongue when I'm mad. To sleep on hard decisions. To value integrity and humility.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A: On this adventure we call life with my family.
Stacy Lee Slaughter Peyakov (Class of 1984)
Fun facts about Stacy (Stace):
Served as a board member for JHS 11/1999-11/2012
Currently living in Julian, CA
Honorary Mayor of Julian
Q: Current occupation
A: Owner Ranchita del Reo Orchard
Q: What post high school education did you pursue? (degrees, certifications, jobs, etc)
A: AA Dairy Science, BS Ag Education, Post grad teaching credential
Q: Describe your career path and current occupation
A: After college my husband & I moved back to Julian with our 1 year old & soon to be 2nd child. I continued working in the family business for the next 20+ years . Borrego Springs School District was in need of a shop teacher & asked me to come work. I did but realized teaching wasn’t for me. In 2010 I started my own Business, Wynola Flats Produce. Keeping it open for 10 years then selling it to work solely in my Heirloom Orchard. I now work year round but am partially retired. I started out with a plan in High School to work in Agriculture & I have stayed true to that plan 40 years later.
Q: What JHS experience(s) helped prepare you for your future career?
A: Definitely Agriculture (FFA) and public speaking
Q: Do you have a favorite high school memory you would like to share? (Courses, teachers, extra-curricular activities, etc)
A: The Superintendent, Mr. Wynn stepped out from the high school office, where they were having a staff meeting. He stood and waited for me to notice him, as I was doing donuts with my car around the flagpole. Of course I didn’t know the whole staff was watching. That went over real well!
Best Senior Year, painting my own parking spot & senior fun. Senior traditions & something all underclassmen couldn’t wait for. Waiting for your turn to try and up the class before you. I hung mostly with the guys. The friendships we had still remain today.
I enjoyed FFA and sports the most. 3/4 of the school participated in FFA. We were one of the top programs in the county. I was chapter president and southern region vice president. I earned my American Farmer Degree. That is still one of my best accomplishments.
High School sports were great! They were especially wild times back then.
And my Julian classmate I dated in high school became my husband. We will be married 39 years this year.
Q: How did attending JHS help form the person you are today?
A: Huge! My most influential teachers were from high school. Ag teachers taught me almost every skill I use on a daily basis today.
Q: What are you most proud of achieving since leaving JHS?
A: Running and owning my own business. Starting with nothing. It was so hard but so rewarding!
Q: What were you passionate about in high school?
A: My Christian Faith….and just about everything. Except math!
Q: What are you passionate about now?
A: My Christian Faith….and just about everything. Except math!
Q: What obstacle(s) have you faced that have helped mold you into the person you are today?
A: Having three back surgeries, after an accident, that caused my body to be in retching pain. Helping my husband go through stage four colon cancer. Raising two children in a house that was so cold you could see your own breath. And many times sitting on the floor with my spouse, counting pennies just to buy some groceries. All of that is very humbling and helps me be much more empathetic towards others.
Q: Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your high school self?
A: If you’re gonna go to college take a bold step. Really research colleges. I hated where I chose. It was a rough change from Julian. Maybe I would have done better if I waited to go to college.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A: Being with my grandkids, working my Heirloom Orchard, traveling & being in Missions work.
Brandon Fender (Class of 2004)
Q: Current occupation
A: Consultant
Q: What post high school education did you pursue?
A: BA Social Ecology from UC Irvine, licensed real estate salesperson, currently studying for real estate broker license
Q: Describe your career path and current occupation
A: I’m currently a consultant providing affordable housing, fiscal health, and real estate services to government entities, special districts, cities, and counties in California. I started as an intern while I was a student at UC Irvine.
After about five years of consulting, I started a small craft brewery in Santa Ana with my wife, JHS graduate Robyn Spevacek, and brother-in-law. We produced and distributed craft beer throughout California and to several other states. We operated a tasting room and I was one of the original board members of the Orange County Brewer’s Guild.
We sold the brewery in 2020 and moved to Julian to raise our boys in the same school that we graduated from. I rejoined the same consulting firm around the same time.
Q: What JHS experience(s) helped prepare you for your future career?
A: Academics - the teaching staff at the time inspired me to pursue a university education. It took me a couple years to find a field that I was truly excited about, and UC Irvine’s Social Ecology program was a perfect fit and wound up being a great foundation for a career in affordable housing, fiscal health, and real estate.
Sports - The high school had more than twice as many students when I was in school, but even at that level there were a ton of opportunities to play sports. I played basketball for a couple years, baseball for three years, and soccer as a senior. I fondly remember playing sports and the coaches leading us.
Cedar Fire - As a senior, our house, and many of my friends' houses, burned down in what was - at the time, the largest fire in California history. It was devastating on the community, but we came together and made the most of the situation. A lot of my contributions to fiscal health - involving the efficiency and financial health of local government, involves working with small fire districts and fire service providers around the state. I’ve spent a lot of time discussing individual circumstances of rural fire districts and special districts providing fire services. It feels great to be able to make a small impact on improving fire service in California.
Q: Do you have a favorite high school memory you would like to share?
A: Computer and technology - at the time we had a pretty sophisticated computer lab with cutting edge technology. I learned to type efficiently which was a foundation for a professional career. I was also given the opportunity to work with different graphic design, video, and other software, which helped me throughout my education and professional career.
Soccer - I was the only senior to play on the soccer team in 2004. I also had the opportunity to play with my brother, who was a freshman at the same time. Playing a high school sport together with my brother was really fun. We had a lot of fun together.
Q: How did attending JHS help form the person you are today?
A: At a small school, students have so much opportunity to pave their own path. There are opportunities to learn different things or focus on things you’re interested in, and of course the opportunity to play high school sports. Most of the people I met at UC Irvine didn’t have nearly as many opportunities as we did coming from a small school.
Q: What are you most proud of achieving since leaving JHS?
A: I’m proud of many things - graduating from UC Irvine, starting, operating and selling a small business, and recently obtaining my real estate salesperson license and working towards my broker license. I’m really proud to be able to serve the community as a Trustee for the Julian Union High School District.
Q: What were you passionate about in high school?
A: I discovered my passion in community college - I really enjoy working to improve communities whether it’s through design and development, or through applying financial analysis to improve public services.
Q: What are you passionate about now?
A: I am passionate about enhancing the built environment using financial analysis and real estate tools. We assist with building affordable housing for families and seniors. We help our clients obtain community benefits - parks, infrastructure, and other public facilities through real estate transactions. We help improve government efficiency and financial health.
Q: What obstacle(s) have you faced that have helped mold you into the person you are today?
A: Opening a small business was an incredible challenge. There were layers of regulation from federal, state, and local levels of government. Fundraising was exciting but stressful. Selling the business, which I had put so much of myself into, was easily the hardest personal decision I’ve ever had to make.
Q: Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your high school self?
A: I wouldn’t change a thing!
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A: I hope to have a broker’s license and continue working in affordable housing, fiscal health, and real estate for public sector clients.
Page updated
Report abuse