12th Annual Bay Scholars Luncheon: Giving Thanks by Giving Back
The 12th Annual Giving Thanks by Giving Back Luncheon, held on November 21, 2025 at the Julia Morgan Ballroom in San Francisco, brought together more than 300 Bay Scholars supporters, partner school leaders, students, alumni, and community partners for an afternoon centered on gratitude, educational access, opportunity, and hope. Hosted by Liam Mayclem, the program featured an inspiring blessing from a Bay Scholar, a welcoming performance on the sidewalk in front of the Merchants Exchange Building by the Riordan Marching Band and Saint Francis Cheer Squad, and a brief introduction by Congressman Sam Liccardo on the event’s honored guest, John A. Sobrato—whose historic $2.5 million gift, fully matched by generous donors, created a $5 million foundation for the future of Bay Scholars. In total, the luncheon raised over $700K in support of scholarships to 18 Bay Area college-prep high schools for talented students from under-resourced communities across the Bay Area.
What people couldn’t stop talking about the next day was the hope and inspiration in the room—the personal story of hope shared by Bay Scholar Miguel Ascencio Zavala and the “proof of impact” story shared by alumna Daniela Catubig. But the most memorable and unexpected highlight was the candid conversation between Janet Reilly and John Sobrato (who rarely does interviews), about his remarkable legacy of giving. It was the perfect embodiment of Bay Scholars’ mission in motion: talent, opportunity, hope, and community coming together in a way guests said they would remember for years.
Notable attendees:
Clint and Janet Reilly – Founders of Bay Scholars
John and Sue Sobrato – John was the honored guest
Lisa and Matt Sonsini – Guests of honoree
Congressman Sam Liccardo of CA’s 16th district
Bay Scholars
Donate now!www.bayscholars.org
(415) 591-1810
Director of Institutional Advancement: Lloyd Schine
Mission
Bay Scholars makes it possible for promising under-resourced students to receive an empowering, change-making education. We financially and personally support Bay Area families that cannot afford the high school education they want for their children.
Begin to Build a Relationship
We know you care about where your money goes and how it is used. Connect with this organization’s leadership in order to begin to build this important relationship. Your email will be sent directly to this organization’s Director of Development and/or Executive Director.
A family’s financial background should not determine a student’s academic success. With the support of partners like Bay Scholars, we prove every day that talented, tenacious students from diverse backgrounds can and do thrive when given the chance. Bay Scholars amplifies our work as educators dedicated to making our world a better place through transforming the hearts and minds of the next generation of leaders. We know that we are stronger together. We know that excellence does not just happen. It takes the continuous effort and support of a community of folks who are committed to providing access to the best for the young people who need it most. Our students deserve the extraordinary opportunities that our school provides, and our world deserves to know what our young leaders can do when we invest in them and believe in them. Thank you, Bay Scholars, for connecting talented students to transformational learning communities – this is how the world gets better.
Removing the Tuition Barrier for Exceptional Underserved Kids
The Bay Scholars model couldn’t be simpler: Connect great kids with great schools and make sure tuition is not a barrier. The organization gives out around $1.5 million a year in scholarships to cover the tuition not included in financial aid packages. The scholarships are made possible by private donations.
$14,000 funds a student through the entire four years of the Bay Scholars program.
$3,500 funds a student through one year of the program.
100% of donations go directly to scholarships.
“Bay Scholars has wonderfully talented kids who would not have been able to access the private college prep education that has set them on their path of success. Your generous contributions hold the power to open doors for deserving students across the Bay Area who will be supported by Bay Scholars,” Caitlin Curran Kavanagh, executive director, says.
Key Supporters
Cynthia and Gary Bengier
Isabel & BJ Cassin
Joe Cotchett
Dana Emery
Andrew Giacomini
Arlene Inch
Patricia and Michael Kelly
Erin Jaeb & Kevin Kelly
Julie LaNasa & John Kunzweiler
Connie and Robert Lurie
Joan and Bob McGrath
Outrageous Foundation
Marla Moresi-Valdes
Joanne Murphy
Dennis and Gloria O’Brien
Beth O’Callahan
John Osterweis
Janet & Clint Reilly
Larry Simi
Sue and John A. Sobrato
John M. Sobrato
Carol and Ned Spieker
Cissie Swig
Dianne and Tad Taube
Mary & Joseph Toboni
William and Gretchen
Kimball Foundation
Dede Wilsey