About Us

Mission Statement

The Friends of Bonham is an independent non-profit organization to support Bonham Academy, a downtown San Antonio public charter school at the intersection of the historic Lavaca and King William neighborhoods.

The Friends of Bonham brings together partners such as businesses, community-based organizations, artists, scientists and others to support all educational areas, including language arts, environmental sciences, and fine arts. The Friends of Bonham also knits the school more closely with the community it serves, with neighborhood events that take advantage of the rich cultural heritage of downtown San Antonio and tie the students to area businesses, artists and residents.

History

Bonham Academy, an SAISD in-district charter school, has served the King William and Lavaca neighborhoods since 1889. With just over 500 students, from kinder through 8th grade, 65% of these students qualify as economically disadvantaged and 90% are Hispanic.

After Bonham Academy achieved its status as an in-district charter school in 2007, parents and community members identified two goals: First, to build neighborhood support for the school while integrating the school with its revitalizing Southtown neighborhood, and second, to raise funds to help the school achieve the high standards set forth in the charter. In 2009, The Friends of Bonham was launched as a means to meet those goals.

Board Members 2020-2021

President, Juliette Garcia

Juliette Garcia was born and raised in San Antonio, TX. She is married to an educator and has 3 children within the SAISD district. As an Registered Nurse, she has a passion for helping people. She has been with FOB for 3 years and president for 2. "I am here volunteering to do all I can to get the kids in our community the things they need to learn and grow."

Vice-President, Sandra González-Lamb

Sandra González-Lamb is a native South Texan working part-time on a startup named Wiin (Work in industry now, Inc.) while working full time for the Alamo Colleges. As a first-generation college graduate, Sandra is extremely passionate about removing the barriers to higher education and is fascinated by the cross-section where work based learning, IT and community meet (a.k.a. EduTech). A loyal Tejana, earning her Master’s in Public Administration from UTSA, she began her career in the non-profit sector with The Salvation Army and Catholic Charities and continues to believe in service through action: she currently serves as a founding board member of the international nonprofit named 'The Boardroom Project' which works on 'developing future board leaders, one girl/woman at a time'. Lately, Sandra is focusing her efforts on her startup and her 2 children, who attend Bonham Academy. You can find her checking out local food trucks, exploring state parks with her familia and at free meet-up yoga sessions at parks.

Treasurer, Xomalin Peralta

Xomalin arrived in San Antonio from Mexico City via California, North Carolina and New Mexico. Studies, job opportunities and family have guided her path. She has a PhD in physics from University of California, Santa Barbara but has led an extremely interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary career since which reflect her love of learning. Together with her husband, Fidel Santamaria, she is navigating her way through raising two kids, six years apart. Xomalin is fluent in English and Spanish and has been a board member since 2017.

Secretary, Monica Jazdzewski

Monica Jazdzewski has lived in San Antonio since 2006. She grew up as a military brat and graduated from Texas A&M University. Monica met her Wisconsin born husband Jake here in San Antonio. She and her husband have a preschooler and a 1st grader who is enrolled in the dual language program at Bonham.

Monica enjoys traveling, hanging out with friends and family, and meeting up with her book club.

Chair of Development, Meredith Siegel

Meredith grew up in San Antonio and nearby Pleasanton, TX. She attended public schools throughout her academic career, including the University of Texas San Antonio, and the University of New Mexico. After attaining a Masters of Architecture degree, Meredith worked in small architecture firms, where she influenced development in San Antonio through such projects as the Pearl's Koehler Parking Garage, The St. Benedict's Apartments renovation, The Liberty Bar renovation, The Euretta Fairchild Park Pool House reconstruction, and SAISD's Herman Hirsch Elementary School renovation and expansion. Meredith and her husband Sam live with their family in Lavaca. Their daughters are in the SAISD Class of 2029.

Co-Chair of Development, Veronica Montemayor

Veronica grew up in San Antonio since the age of 10. She attended the University of the Incarnate Word and obtained a bachelor's degree in business administration. She works as a Business Development Manager in the grocery industry. Veronica and her son live in Lavaca. Her son is a 2nd grader at Bonham Academy.

Chair of Social Media & Communication, Melissa Ortiz

Melissa Ortiz, San Antonio native and owner of Metanoia Professional Counseling Services PLLC, graduated Magna Cum Laude from Texas A&M University-San Antonio in 2014. She currently serves the residents of St. PJ's Children's Home and members of the community as a Trauma Informed Therapist. Melissa is a mother of 4 children and has been involved with the dual language program at Bonham Academy since her eldest started kindergarten 7 years ago. She enjoys spending her free time with family & friends and is excited to be part of the Friends of Bonham Team.

Chair of Web Page, Catarina Velasquez

A native of San Antonio, Catarina received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Texas at Austin in Government. She has spent over 12 years in community service positions and is now working with her husband as the operations manager for their design/build company. Their two boys have been students of Bonham's dual language program for the past 6 years. She has volunteered as a Lego Robotics instructor for 5 years at Bonham and loves working with the students and faculty.