Feature
The Originals
Where are these Loyola Academy Scholars now?
In 2011, the world witnessed the end of the Iraq War and the launch of the Occupy Wall Street movement as pop culture was abuzz with notable events. Adele’s album “21” dominated the music charts, the final installment of the Harry Potter film empire captivated audiences and “Game of Thrones” premiered, quickly becoming a cultural phenomenon.
Against the backdrop of these global and cultural shifts, Loyola Academy opened its doors on Brophy’s campus for boys entering sixth grade who demonstrated considerable academic promise and verified financial need. The seeds that were sown for Loyola Academy were cultivated—and continue to be nurtured today—by the uniquely Jesuit concept of magis, Latin for “more.” Brophy’s leadership recognized that Brophy could do more to educate boys who, because of family circumstances, might never have the opportunity for a Jesuit, college preparatory education.
Meet five remarkable young men whose journeys were forever united when they entered middle school together at the new Loyola Academy. Brimming with academic promise and despite their challenges along the way, they became part of Loyola Academy’s inaugural Class of 2018 to graduate from Brophy College Preparatory. Early on, their potential was nurtured through the academy’s rigorous and supportive middle school experience that prepared them for Brophy and ultimately, college. These Loyola Academy scholars graduated from college in 2022 as first-generation college students, breaking new ground for their families and setting inspiring examples for their communities.
Today, with their careers just getting started, their stories of determination and achievement continue to inspire, demonstrating the profound impact of a Jesuit education—and the ties that bind.
Robert “Bobby” Baransaka
Bobby Baransaka can’t picture what his life would be like without Loyola Academy and Brophy. “The experiences, the people and the empowerment instilled in me are a product of my Jesuit experience.” Recalling the African proverb, it takes a village to raise a child, Baransaka affirms, “Loyola Academy and Brophy were and always will be pillars in my village.”
That village began for his parents in Burundi, Africa, who escaped the Hutu-Tutsi genocide for the U.S. in 1998. He vividly remembers the evening in 2010 when he received his acceptance letter to Loyola Academy. “It was in a manila folder with a return address from Brophy College Preparatory. That moment truly changed my life.”
He considers the 8th grade trip to Washington, D.C. a defining experience. “It established for me so much anticipation for the future.” Today, Baransaka serves as public affairs coordinator for Triadvocates, LLC, a leading lobbying and public affairs firm in Phoenix.
At Brophy, Baransaka’s leadership of Kairos alongside Student Activities Director Pete Burr ’07 is also a defining experience. He earned an Honors Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, A.P.S. in Peace and Justice Studies from Loyola Marymount University. Upon graduation, he interned then landed a full-time position as a press assistant with the House Committee on Appropriations in the U.S. House of Representatives in our nation’s capital.
Upon returning home to Arizona, he joined a local behavioral health organization as chief communications officer, a role he still holds today. He’s proud to contribute to the mission of battling addiction, abuse, and mental illness for patients statewide. As a Brophy graduate called to “set the world on fire,” Baransaka has never veered in pursuit of that goal.
Jesus A. Ceja
Jesus Ceja gives thanks to God for his experience at Loyola Academy. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wanted to quit, but someone was always there to give me a small push in the right direction. Now, I am thankful to be a physical representation of how much Loyola Academy can change a life.”
Prior to the academy, Ceja was enrolled in a gifted program at Morris K. Udall in Phoenix. When the program was canceled, he recounts, “I was stuck learning in a slow-paced environment. But all of that changed at Loyola where my peers and I were challenged and educated at a pace like we’d never experienced.”
Ceja will never forget all the amazing trips he experienced. “From Bumblebee Ranch to Catalina Island to Washington, D.C., Loyola gave us the opportunity to travel and see parts of the world that I wouldn’t have seen otherwise.”
While at Brophy, he learned to put God first, always. “Matthew 6:33 says, ‘But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.’ I’ve applied this principle to my everyday life. My faith is something I carry with me always, and Brophy will always be a part of my religious journey.”
Starting at Arizona State University as a first-generation college student was difficult. “I didn’t have many people to help guide me and the sudden freedom to make all the choices on my own didn’t help. Though difficult, during college I figured out who I wanted to be and spent a lot of time studying, talking to professors and learning on my own.”
He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Today, he serves as a Mechanical Engineer 1 at Mercury Systems’ a leading global aerospace and defense industry provider. Ceja attests, “I’m proud to be at the forefront of innovative technology.”
Nelson de los Santos
During Nelson de los Santos’ seven years at Loyola Academy and Brophy, there were two moments that left an indelible mark: While writing a personal narrative, he substituted “low class” for “low income.” He recalls, “Kendra (Krause, academy director) corrected me and told me to never call myself that again. It was the first time someone who knew my background told me I was better than where I came from.”
As a Brophy senior, visiting Washington, D.C., he spoke with former U.S. Senator Jeff Flake. After the interaction, Elizabeth Clarke, a former Brophy teacher, looked him in the eyes and said, “Nelson, you are going to change this world.”
“Whatever she saw in me, it was enough to convince me that I could aachieve whatever I put my mind to,” de los Santos said. The lasting impact of his Jesuit education carried through to not only Brophy, but also College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass., where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies.
“Having a Jesuit education pushed me to focus on the ‘Why?’—Why am I here? What is important and why? Who am I called to be and why?”
On his experience as a first-generation college student: “Having grown up without vacations due to my family’s financial circumstance, my move across the country was a long-overdue vacation. The greatest hurdle I faced was landing my first internship.”
Currently, he’s a lobbyist at Southwest Gas where he engages council members, city staff and business leaders.
De los Santos serves on the board for the Brophy Community Foundation and Friendly House. He’s a graduate of Valle del Sol’s Hispanic Leadership Institute and a volunteer basketball coach at the Boys & Girls Club. “I’m most proud of the connections with accomplished, genuine individuals I’m blessed to call friends and mentors.”
Freddy Soto
For Freddy Soto, he compares Loyola Academy and Brophy to Disneyland—“The Most Magical Place on Earth.” He said, “Failure wasn’t an option, and I was bound to succeed. The Jesuit education and community I experienced at these institutions taught me learning should extend beyond classroom walls; I’m committed to making a difference.”
His memories of Loyola Academy run deep. “When I broke my wrist in 8th grade, I returned to school to find messages of encouragement from every student in my class, which was incredibly touching and exemplified our supportive community.” And there were ample opportunities for community engagement, such as participating in 8th grade service projects.
At Brophy, Soto volunteered with organizations like the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center and the Loyola Project. He reminisces, “These experiences remain among my most cherished memories because of the impact my time and service had on others.”
Brophy’s emphasis on Men for Others instilled in Soto a passion for servant leadership. He credits Ms. Parise for helping him to “find my voice as an advocate for raising awareness and advocating for mental health awareness.” They collaborated on Brophy’s first mental health awareness campaign, “Stop the Stigma.”
While attending Barrett, the Honors College at Arizona State University, he was a mentor through ASU’s Refugee, Integration, Stability and Education (RISE) Program. He graduated from Barrett with a Bachelor of Science in Communications with minors in Public Policy & Public Service and Justice Studies. Soto began his career in ASU’s Office of Government & Community Engagement. Today, he’s a public affairs analyst for Triadvocates LLC. “I feel deeply fulfilled by the work I do and the people I collaborate with.”
Sebastien Ribakare
Sebastien Ribakare attributes his Jesuit education to providing him with a lens on how to see the world. He believes without Loyola Academy and Brophy, “I would not be where I am or who I am today.”
Ribakare comes from a family of six with his parents and older siblings originally from Africa. His older brother and sister attended Brophy and Xavier College Preparatory, so attending Loyola Academy was a golden opportunity. “The greatest challenge my family faced was having the wherewithal to pursue the level of education my parents had envisioned for us.”
The academy fostered Ribakare’s academic and personal development, putting him on the path to connect with others who are changemakers. Ribakare quotes Proverbs: 27:17, “Iron sharpens iron. I believe surrounding myself with individuals who want to make a change will foster a greater understanding of how I can.
“My Brophy immersion trip to El Salvador opened my eyes to the different realities of the world, and what we can do about situations that need change on a personal and community level.”
Ribakare double-majored in Real Estate and Finance at the University of San Diego. At first, it wasn’t easy to find and build community. “Brophy is a unique place. If you apply yourself, you will find a loving, nurturing, rigorous and supportive community in the most palpable way. I was surrounded by friends who also went to Jesuit schools, amplifying my college experience.”
Working in commercial real estate as part of a management team, he oversees operations of 2 million square feet of retail shopping centers in Arizona. He’s also on the board of directors for the Assistance League of Phoenix. “I get to work with really smart and good people—a unique opportunity to learn so much so early in my career!”