* John Ronquillo *

1. Where are you living right now? How long have you lived there?
Athens, Georgia. 2 years.
2. Are you married? Who did you marry?
I have been married to Holli Keel since March 2005. She’s originally from Overton, Nevada.
3. Do you have kids?
Our son Rhys (like ‘Reese’) was born August 7, 2008.
4. Do you have a college degree? What school did you attend?
I received my bachelor’s degree from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication and a Master of Public Administration from the School of Public Affairs at Arizona State University. I am currently working on my Ph.D. in Public Administration and Policy at the University of Georgia, focusing mostly on public and nonprofit management, innovation and social enterprise.
5. What do you do for a living?
I am a graduate research associate and co-principal investigator of a research project. I also do consulting on the side for several individuals and organizations. Before we moved to Georgia I worked as the Policy and Research Analyst for the Arizona Association of Counties and worked in a variety of other government relations jobs with SRP, the City of Chandler and ASU.
6. How many places have you lived since graduation?
Tempe, AZ; Bassano del Grappa, Italy; Florence, Italy; La Spezia, Italy; Siena, Italy; Pistoia, Italy; Tempe, AZ; Tirana, Albania; Tempe, AZ; Scottsdale, AZ; Athens, GA…in that order…and we’ll probably be moving again shortly!
7. Briefly summarize any other major events that have happened in your life since graduation.
I served a church mission to Italy, studied abroad in Albania, graduated from ASU, got married to a wonderful woman, got my masters degree and worked in some really great jobs all in between. We had our son last August and I’m adjusting to life as a father. Stress much? ;)
8. What is your favorite memory of high school?
Hard to name a favorite, but I really loved my junior and senior years on Academic Decathlon. I loved doing all the plays in Drama as well.
9. What is your favorite song(s) from high school?
Pretty much anything by U2, Bush, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, stuff like that. I remember being particularly fond of a song called “In the Meantime” by Spacehog.
10. Who is the teacher you remember most from high school? Why?
I can’t pick just one: Burdick, Borg, Collins, Willis, Korzec and Risa Udall were all significantly influential to me. That doesn’t by any means signify that I was their favorite, but they were certainly some of mine.
11. Have you been able to keep in contact with any former classmates? Who?
Thankfully, yes, but probably too many to name. It’s been great seeing folks at graduations, wedding receptions and such. Advancing technology has made it quite easy to keep in touch.
12. If you could go back, what would you change about your high school years?
I wouldn’t go back and I wouldn’t change anything. It’s all been a part of who I am today. Perhaps I wouldn’t have dropped calculus? 
13. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?
In five years, I hope to be in a tenure-track job as a professor, preparing for my tenure and promotion to associate professor. In ten years, I either hope to be preparing for my promotion to full professor, or if academia doesn’t work out, to be an executive director of a charitable foundation or a think tank that focuses its research on philanthropy and public service.
14. What is one accomplishment since high school that you are proud of?
I served as the Director of Student Events for the 2004 Presidential Debate at ASU, and while it was probably the job of shortest tenure, I met and interacted with several notable people in politics and national media. Probably one of the more exciting things I’ve been a part of.
15. What is one piece of advice you would give a future graduate of SJHS?
Don’t be afraid to explore the unknown. If you want to do something and someone tells you “you can’t,” do everything in your power to show him or her you can. Staring adversity in the face is one thing, but punching it in the face and knocking it out is much more gratifying. One of the best bits of advice I’ve ever received was from one of my favorite teachers in high school, and it was simply this: “Get some thick skin.”
16. What school events do you remember liking or disliking?
I disliked Yearbook immensely after Mary Platt retired. I’m not really shy about admitting that. She always put together such a wonderful book, and her replacement didn’t. I liked going to all of the sporting events and had fun at pep rallies and stuff like that. I was especially proud of our class for winning the class competitions during Homecoming so often, even if there was some trickery and tomfoolery involved (come on, it was high school! ;) ).
17. Do you make it back to St. Johns very often?
Unfortunately, no. I’ve been back four times over the past ten years. My parents both live in the Phoenix area now.
18. Do you have plans to attend the reunion? (We would like to see you if at all possible!)
I’m far away, but I’ll definitely try!
19. Anything else you would like to share?
Nope. I tend talk too much as it is!
20. Anything else you want to say to your former classmates?
I hope everyone is doing very well and is very happy enjoying life. It would be wonderful to see you all at the reunion!
21. Do you have a blog/web site or email address you would like to share in case anyone would like to get in contact with you?
We have a blog that we try to update (semi)regularly: http://theronquillos.wordpress.com
My e-mail: johnron[at]gmail[dot]com