LEFT TO RIGHT: Austin Ronzone ’20, Liwayway Ronzone ’83, Jan Lezny, and Cade Ronzone ’20.
The Family of Austin and Cade Ronzone ‘20
A powerful sense of family and the desire to make a meaningful contribution—these commitments form the core of the Lezny-Ronzone family experience and the lives of Liwayway Ronzone’s twin boys Austin ’20 and Cade ’20. Liwayway’s and Jan’s shared enthusiasm for the education the boys are receiving at O’Dowd inspired their generous gift to the Cor Unum Campaign to support the new O’Dowd Center.
Austin’s and Cade’s father Tony Ronzone ’83 and Liwayway ’83 are both O’Dowd alumni. During their K-8 years, the boys lived in San Diego with their mom and spent a year abroad in Australia after eighth grade. Their parents shared their O’Dowd community and memories with the boys as they grew up. So when Liwayway asked the boys about a new adventure at O’Dowd after their year in Australia, she wasn’t surprised by their reaction. “The boys knew Coach Lou Richie ’89 growing up and Mike Phelps was their godfather, so when they had the opportunity to attend O’Dowd and play basketball they enthusiastically voted yes. Coach Lou and the whole team experience has been such a positive influence on the boys.” Today, Austin and Cade are in their final season of basketball and recently enjoyed Christmas tournaments on the road—a longstanding tradition for O’Dowd players.
Though Jan is newer to the family and the O’Dowd community, he likewise values the education the boys are receiving and believes in the importance of giving back. Jan, whose daughter and son attend the University of Notre Dame and University of Washington respectively, met Liwayway, Austin, and Cade in La Jolla when the boys were in middle school. He was motivated to contribute to the O’Dowd Center as he attended games and learned more about O’Dowd, the boys’ experience, and their parents’ history with the school. He attended Catholic school himself and believes in the value of Catholic education. “It gives you grounding you wouldn’t get otherwise, helping you think in any situation, ‘What’s the right thing to do?’ It helps you think about how to participate in society.”
““Not only do I know this gift will be put to good use and managed well, I know the boys are working hard and getting the nurturing and guidance they need in their education.””
The family’s generosity and gift were made possible through Jan’s commitment. “I am so impressed by both how close the boys are with their mom as well as how mature and independent they are. They were given
the gift of their mother and O’Dowd, and this gift represents giving back. I have been the lucky beneficiary of so much that I have to give back. I’m also very fiscally responsible. I believe in making an impact by giving to reputable, honest, focused organizations like O’Dowd. Not only do I know this gift will be put to good use and managed well, I know the boys are working hard and getting the nurturing and guidance they need in their education.”
Liwayway echoes Jan’s appreciation for the guidance the boys receive, particularly from their coach, Lou Richie. “Lou teaches what’s important—the value of relationships, making eye contact, shaking hands, volunteering. The boys have become more aware, and they are becoming fully developed young men.”
A bold project like the O’Dowd Center requires unprecedented community support. O’Dowd is exceptionally grateful for alumni and parents like Liwayway and Jan, whose generous commitment will create opportunities for future Dragons to grow and receive important, formative guidance that prepares them for lives of success and contribution.