“Keeping it Real”: Mr. Pino Takes on New Role as Director of Faith and Mission

by Alejandro Menendez

Mr. Pino's headshot for his new role. (Source: Columbus website)

If you ask any student at Columbus, it’s likely that they’ve heard the phrase “keep it real” at one time or another in their four-year journey. However, one teacher whom this phrase is associated with, Mr. Pino, does not merely use this phrase as a nice end to a conversation, but as a guideline for his everyday life.

Through his 20-year teaching career, he has made a positive impact on countless students that have entered his classroom, having most recently taught AP World History to freshmen at the school, and although his impact on the academic lives of students is substantial, it is the impact that he has outside of the classroom that truly speaks to his values and legacy at Columbus and in society as a whole.

Being a captain and paddler for the Castaways Against Cancer, and now stepping into the role of head of campus ministry, his leadership roles and desire to do good for all have only increased throughout his time at Columbus.

Director of Faith and Mission

Now, it’s no secret that Columbus puts faith at the foundation of their education and the lives of students as a whole. Therefore, one can understand the weight that being named head of campus ministry holds. But moving forward, after longtime DIrector of Camus Ministry, Gerardo Gonzalez, decided to step down, the role has been renamed with more responsibilities to Director of Faith and Mission.

As Director of Faith & Mission, Pino will oversee the school’s spiritual life, ensuring that the Catholic identity and Marist charism remains strong and vibrant within all aspects of the school.  He will lead a team dedicated to faith formation, working to foster the culture of discipleship, service and prayer among students, faculty, staff and the broader Columbus community.

And Pino has embraced his new job. However, when Pino discusses the reasons and expectations for his filling this role, it is not with fear, but with excitement.

“This new position offers a dynamic platform to help make Jesus known and loved by our students, faculty, alumni, and parents. I’m excited to foster a sense of spiritual purpose and connection throughout our Columbus community,” said Pino.

And it’s this passion for the community that has truly allowed him to make such an impact in so many facets of Columbus.

But Mr. Pino isn’t leaving his classroom skills behind in taking this new role — in fact, he’s embracing them.

“Over the years, I’ve learned that the most impactful teaching begins with patience and a genuine interest in each student as a whole person. Building strong, trusting relationships has always been at the heart of my approach in the classroom, and I believe that same foundation will be just as essential in campus ministry,” said Pino.

The relationship between Pino and his students is what has allowed for him to build students’ passion for history, and now for making Jesus Christ known and loved.

“I hope to create spaces where students feel seen, heard, and supported in their spiritual lives. Their natural curiosity and hunger for meaning inspire me, and I plan to meet them where they are — with compassion, consistency, and a willingness to walk with them in their journey of faith.”

And although Pino is no doubt a great fit for the role, his predecessor, Mr. Gerardo Gonzalez, has left him with some big shoes to fill as head of campus ministry.

Through leading this role for the past 14 years successfully, Mr. Gonzalez has learned various lessons in terms of how to best communicate Marist values to the students walking the halls of Columbus.

“This role reminded me daily that God is the true director of campus ministry, that my role was to make Jesus Christ known and loved in words and action, that each person I served is a treasure with joys and challenges, and to accompany each person where they are at,” said Mr. Gonzalez.

As seen in his “plan to meet students where they are,” Pino hopes to take the torch of ministry that Mr. Gonzalez has passed down to him and add to the fire that is students’ faith within Columbus.

Evin Diaz, rising junior and Campus Ministry retreat leader, is looking forward to Mr. Pino's new role.

"So far, everything he has done is very structured and very organized, and I appreciate that," Evin said.

Castaways Against Cancer

Castaways Against Cancer, along with their supporters, group photo before its 25th anniversary launch. (Source: Castaways website)

To truly get a perspective on the impact that Mr. Pino has had on the Columbus community, one must observe the tremendous impact that he has had in his role as captain for the Castaways Against Cancer.

This organization, founded in 2000 by the legendary Steve O’Brien — better known as OB — has raised millions for cancer research and has been another central component to the value of service that is so essential to Columbus.

Having served as captain and paddler for the Castaways, Mr. Pino has led the group through the treacherous seven-day 160-mile journey as well as helped to organize countless events that have assisted in raising money for this crucial cause without wavering from the true cause that OB envisioned for the organization when he first founded it.

“He has an uncanny ability to predict and solve problems before they even happen. I sleep better knowing that he’s in charge,” said Castaways founder, Mr. O'Brien.

And it’s this uncanny ability to problem-solve that comes in handy, particularly on long kayak trips where one may be forced to pivot at any time.

“Pino is a phenomenal organizer — he’s the type of guy that can plan a party, not attend it, and still manage to get over 50 people present,” said Pino’s lifelong friend and coworker, Mr. Hermida.

But the truth of his longevity and leadership abilities is no joke to Hermida and the rest of the members of the Castaways.

“As captain of the Castaways, he’s amplified a group of sea hippies (and aspiring sea hippies) by always keeping the spirit of the group in sight. Staying true to OB’s original goal of honoring those who’ve fought the fight and raising funds for cancer research, he’s helped the Castaways grow into something even more powerful,” continues Hermida.

Although leading a cause as charitable and beneficial to the community as the Castaways may seem easy, the sheer size and scale that the organization has grown to since its founding have caused its management to be something that cannot be taken lightly.

When asked about how Pino is able to lead the Castaways so effectively, Hermida simply stated: “It’s just his gift of authenticity.”

And for a cause so important and impactful to so many people within Columbus and outside of it, this authenticity is the core of why the fundraisers, paddling trip, and overall impact of the Castaways are what it is.

Purpose

Although Pino's tremendous fundraising, leadership, and teaching are undoubtedly impressive, what is truly admirable about his character is his purpose.

“The number of people affected by cancer is staggering. The stories that are constantly shared with me pull at my heart and bring out a deep sense of empathy,” said Pino. “It’s about honoring those we’ve lost and helping those who are still fighting.”

And as seen in Mr. Pino’s actions, he is clearly walking the walk. After losing student Sebastian Ortiz to cancer years ago, for example, he paddled a “SebastianStrong” kayak throughout the entirety of the journey to raise awareness for the loss of the student and for those battling cancer as a whole.

Continuing to fight this fight not just through paddling trips, but also through the day-to-day interaction with students on an educational and spiritual level is what makes Mr. Pino such a standout teacher and person at Columbus.

Overall, although the leadership roles and battles that Mr. Pino chooses to engage with are no doubt great and necessitate much strength, effort and willingness, it is his creativity, passion, and — as Mr. Hermida says — his “ability to keep things real” that allows him to make an impact on the spiritual and academic lives of students at Columbus, and the lives of those battling cancer.