Strength of Character: The Beito Family's Enduring O’Dowd Legacy
- Feb 18
- 3 min read
Diane Radich Beito ’66 was one of nine children in a devout Catholic family. “We followed our faith, and it was expected that we would go to Catholic school from kindergarten through high school,” she says. When she started at O’Dowd in 1962, the school was still relatively new—but for the Beitos, it was full of promise. Five of her siblings would eventually attend O’Dowd as well, making it a true family tradition. “It was a big sacrifice for my family to send us to Catholic school, but it was important,” she recalls. And with O’Dowd just a walk from their home, the opportunity felt like both a gift and a responsibility.
Diane’s memories are shaped by the discipline and high expectations of her education. “There was no talking in the hallways, or we’d get detention,” she says, recalling the firm standards set by the nuns. Still, she saw the value in it. “Those expectations were preparing us for success. I wanted that same foundation for my own children.”
Her son Jay Beito ’92 arrived at O’Dowd ready for a bigger world. “I went to Corpus Christi from K–8 and was excited for a large school like O’Dowd,” he says. “Plus, we have the best mascot.” Despite the school’s size, he remembers a strong spirit of unity. “There were lots of different groups—different backgrounds, different interests—but there was a sense of supporting each other.” Even before the school had a formal charism, he says, O’Dowd’s core values—community, character, excellence, justice, care for creation, and joy—were already embedded in the culture. “You could feel it.”
“There were lots of different groups—different backgrounds, different interests—but there was a sense of supporting each other.” Jay Beito '92.
Jay’s younger brother Drew Beito ’03 came to O’Dowd eleven years later, but he already felt part of the community. “I was always at my brother’s football games. The team even made me a jersey that said ‘Little Beito.’” Surrounded by O’Dowd connections—from teammates’ siblings to coaches’ kids who became classmates—Drew knew where he wanted to be. Like his brother, he played football and valued the discipline it brought. “I did well in school because I played football. Our coaches taught us what it takes to succeed—lessons that helped me academically, too.”
Jay carried those lessons with him to UC Davis, where the strength of his O’Dowd education became clear. “I watched a lot of students struggle and drop out. That’s when I realized what a gift O’Dowd had given me.” It was at Davis that he also met his wife, Aneesha Sapp ’92—another Dragon who shared his appreciation for college prep done well.
When it came time to choose a high school for their own kids, the choice was easy. “There is no teacher in the world I’d want more for my kids than Mr. Green,” Jay says. Educators like Mr. Viera, Mr. Judd, Mr. Mason, Mr. Sanchez, and Mr. Tyler helped shape the family’s connection to O’Dowd. “Choosing O’Dowd is about choosing the community,” Drew adds. “The faculty and staff are so deeply engaged that they draw us in.”
In 2010, Jay joined the O’Dowd staff, bringing his passion for health and fitness to the weight room—and to a new generation of students. His daughter, Azsiyah Sapp-Beito ’24, remembers spending time there as a child, watching her dad work with athletes. When she later attended O’Dowd’s Summer Academy, those same athletes were her camp counselors. “O’Dowd is a tight-knit, full-circle community,” Jay says. “There’s always a chance to invest in younger students and pay forward what was given to you.” Naturally, Azsiyah followed her older brother, Xzavier Sapp-Beito ’21, when it was her turn to step into her own O’Dowd journey.
Today, Azsiyah carries forward the family’s legacy of excellence—one she shares with her brother and the many Dragons who came before them. “I ran track,” she says. “We took pride in having the highest cumulative GPA of all the sports teams. That’s what I learned at O’Dowd—to be excellent in everything.” That mindset, she says, is what defines O’Dowd graduates. “People know: if you went to O’Dowd, you carry strength of character. You operate from a sense of purpose.”
The Beito family continues to stay closely connected. Diane keeps up through her grandchildren and the alumni newsletter. Drew hopes to return one day as a coach or teacher. Jay, now 15 years into his tenure, is regularly visited by alumni. “My job is to build up future Dragons,” he says. “Helping students find pride in who they are—that’s the most rewarding part.”
“We’re honored to have been part of the O’Dowd community since the beginning,” Diane says. “It’s a school that’s truly transformational.”
