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by Steve Rovell

A mask, in a sense, can represent one facet of the wearer’s life. I own many masks, as my interests vary from birds to dragonflies, gardening, education, soccer, travel and more. These links are to the right.

Sometimes I wonder if I should sell or give away some of those masks. But in the end, I probably would miss those interests, so I keep plugging along trying to keep my life and interests in order. Usually that means ending up with too many unfinished projects. I hope this website doesn’t end up in that category!

These pages are a story of my many masks. I am only just beginning this endeavor, another mask if you will. Click on the links at the right to visit my masks.

My Bio

Born of Estonian immigrants, I grew up in Southern California but now live on the Central Coast, in the small but growing city of Marina located on Monterey Bay. Throughout my youth, I loved playing sports. Whatever sport was in season, I usually played it. But in school (Esperanza High School), I never played team sports. I did, however, participate in the individual sports, Cross Country and Track. I began my college career at Cal State Fullerton, and then continued my education at Humboldt State University, where I earned a B.S. degree in Natural Resources . Humboldt is where I met my wife, Venetia. We both student taught at Arcata High School. Today, we both teach at Alisal High School in Salinas, California. While I teach Biology and Earth Science, Venetia teaches English.

One of my favorite pastimes is soccer. Over the last 28 years I have played in many leagues, refereed, coached and been a spectator of the world’s greatest game. For most of the last 10 years, I haven’t had much opportunity to play. But that has changed recently. I now play goalkeeper for CCFC (Central Coast Football Club) in the Monterey Peninsula Soccer League. It has invigorated me to get healthy and fit. And I love the competition!

My interest in nature began in my days with the Boy Scouts. My troop hiked and backpacked regularly. I spent many days hiking the Sierras and nights sleeping under the stars. From all this, I naturally gravitated toward studies in the outdoors. Having taken courses in Fisheries, Wildlife Management, Botany, Zoology, Biology, Oceanography, Geology, Geography, Astronomy and Soils, my natural resources degree gave me a very broad view of nature. I have learned to integrate these studies into my teaching. This broad education is most likely responsible for my many masks. Click here to visit a page displaying some of my favorites.

I married my wife, Venetia, in August of 1993 and we have since had two sons, Julian (1997) and Marco (2003). Julian is a smart kid, who loves crystals, dragonflies and his electronic games. I see Julian growing up to be a scientist some day. Marco is a strong-willed little boy who I think will become an exceptional athlete. Maybe he’ll play for the ‘Quakes! Last, but not least, my wife, Venetia, is a beautiful Filipina who has lived all over the world. She has lived in Pakistan, Egypt, Honduras, Guatemala, Colombia and Sierra Leone. Her college career started at Antioch College in Ohio, then on to S.U.N.Y. New Paltz in New York and finally out west to Humboldt State University.