Person Page - 31

     Jenise Lynae Spiteri was born on 20 September 1992 in Redwood City, CA, USA.¹ Biography Jenise SPITERI
Malta
Snowboard
Events and Medals Bio General Interest Milestones

Events and Medals
Discipline      Event      Rank      Medal
SBD Snowboard      Women's Snowboard Halfpipe      21      
Schedule
Women's Snowboard Halfpipe Qualification

Historical Results
World Championship
Rank     Event     Year     Location     Result
14     Halfpipe Ladies     2021     Aspen, USA     32.50
25     Halfpipe Ladies     2017     Sierra Nevada, ESP     44.75
World Cup Rankings
Ten Best World Cup Performances in Current Season
Rank     Event     Season     Location     Result
22     Halfpipe     2021/2022     Laax, SUI     32.20
22     Halfpipe     2021/2022     Copper Mountain, USA     39.33
24     Halfpipe     2021/2022     Mammoth Mountain, USA     17.20

Bachelor's degree in entrepreneurship, Sierra Nevada University (2013).

Languages spoken: English, American sign language

Mother Jacki Spiteri (Figure Skating): USA nationally ranked figure skater, then skated in a professional ice show.

Boyfriend Ricky Glaser (Skateboarding): Current professional skateboarder from Australia.
Other sports:

2011 FIS event in Copper (Halfpipe - 32nd)
2014 World Cup in Copper (Halfpipe - 21st)
Began snowboarding in the 2010/11 winter season at age 18. Attended Sierra Nevada College in the Lake Tahoe, California area and fell in love with the sport. (summitdaily.com, 22 Jan 2016)

CHANGE OF NOC FROM USA TO MALTA
In spring 2015, she changed her National Olympic Committee from the United States of America to Malta. Her parents are Malta natives, and, after meeting with the Mediterranean nation’s Olympic committee in 2015 fall, officials agreed to support her as an athlete. (summitdaily.com, 22 Jan 2016)

MALTA ONLY ATHLETE AND FLAGBEARER AT BEIJING 2022
Not only is she is the first snowboarder from Malta competing at any Olympic Winter Games, but she is also the only Maltese athlete at Beijing 2022 and will serve as Malta flagbearer at the Opening Ceremony.

CONTENT CREATOR
Owns the largest women’s snowboard YouTube channel in the world.

LATE START
Started snowboarding at age 18 because people told her it was too late and she would never make it. "Basically, quit before I tried since I didn’t start at seven years old. But I believe with enough determination and passion you can achieve anything. Never let anyone tell you you’re too late to have a chance in life. You can be successful at any age if you want it badly enough." (Athlete, 30 Sep 2021)

VAN LIFE
Lives in a van (Nissan NV200) that she converted into a tiny home with the help of her father. (Athlete, 30 Sep 2021)

MODELLING AND ACTING
Started acting and modelling when she was a young girl in San Francisco. "That was always a passion of mine growing up and all the way through high school I thought I’d move to L.A. (Los Angeles, California) and do that. But the senior year was when I discovered the community of snowboarding." (summitdaily.com, 22 Jan 2016)
© Data by Sports Data Warehouse
Milestones

Competed at two World Championships (2017, 2021).

Broke into the World Cup top-20 on her second event in 2016 (17th in Mammoth) after finishing 21st in her 2014 debut (Copper Mountain).
Social Media.
     Jenise Lynae Spiteri Hon. Louis Vella: helped her become a Maltese Citizen, later on a Maltese passport and got her connected with the Malta Olympic Committee.

Jenise Lynae Spiteri was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle in 2019: Snowboarder Jenise Spiteri Hopes to represent Malta in the 2022 Winter Olympics
Dan Brock
Episode 59, season 11 of the popular American game show Let’s Make a Deal was aired on New Year’s Day and has since gone viral throughout Malta and the Maltese Diaspora.
It all started when the enthusiastic native of Redwood City, California, 27-year-old Jenise Spiteri shared her snow-boarding past with host Wayne Brady.
“I tried to go to the last Olympics but that’s when I blew my knee out and missed it by one spot, so 2022.”
As Brady cheered her on with “Team USA,” Jenise corrected him with “Team Malta.”
This was all the comedian and impromptu satirist needed to make good-humoured fun of everything from Malta’s international sport accomplishment to its national anthem.
Of course, Jenise fuelled Brady’s satire with such comments as “I’m Maltese…Not like the dog…Like the humans.”...snowboarders start their “training” at the age of seven or younger, she didn’t begin her training until the age of 17.
For her, it was a quick learning curve and in just six years she was travelling around the world to Olympic qualifying events with the goal of competing for Malta at the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea as Élise Pellegrin was to do in skiing.
Then, six months before the 2018 Olympics, Jenise completely tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and partially her meniscus in a random snowboard accident while training in New Zealand. Undeterred, she pushed through the injury and competed in the next Olympic qualifier only three weeks later.

Jenise Lynae Spiteri was mentioned in the Maltese Presence in America on 2 November 2021: SNOWBOARDER JENISE SPITERI THE ONLY ATHLETE REPRESENTING MALTA IN THE 2022 OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES by Dan Brock
In the February 2020 issue of this newsletter, we learned of how Jenise Spiteri’s goal of competing for Malta at the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea was dashed when, with only 24 women getting to compete in the Olympic Half Pipe event, she was number 25. The fact that she completely tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and partially her meniscus just six months before the Olympics didn’t help either. After the Olympics, however, the Olympic Committee sent Jenise the opening ceremonies outfit that she would have worn, together with a letter stating: “We know how hard you worked for this, and that you really tried, and we want you to have this piece because we know how bad you want it.” The March issue of this newsletter told of Jenise’s paternal grandparents, Joseph and Carmela Spiteri, who had immigrated to San Francisco, California, from Hamrun, Malta in 1947. A seasoned cobbler, Joseph Spiteri, soon heard of Joe Galdes, also from Malta, who owned a shoe shop and was partners with Louis Harlick. That same year, Harlick was approached by some ice dancers who were in need of skates.
In 1948, the shop decided to branch into making skating boots. Joseph quickly adapted the production of skating boots and soon became the company’s head skate designer. In the 1950s, Harlick bought out his partner Galdes and went into partnership with Jack Henderson. Meanwhile, Joseph Spiteri continued to hone “his skills in pattern design and customizing boots to fit customer specifications.”
Louis Harlick was diagnosed with cancer in 1960 and decided to sell his partnership in Harlick Skate Company to Jack Henderson and his brother Bob who then owned 80 percent of the company with Joseph Spiteri owning the remaining 20 percent. In 1962, Joseph sold his share in the Company to the Hendersons and in August 1963, launched his own business. Thinking that “Spiteri” would be too difficult for people to remember, he decided to go with “SP-Teri,” the brand name still used by the company he founded. Janise Spiteri’s mother, Jackie, is also of Maltese descent. She was a nationally ranked American figure skater and then skated in a professional ice show. Janise, a native of Redwood City, California, who has been figure skating all her life, began snowboarding during the winter of 2010-11. Being of Maltese descent, she was able to change her National Olympic Committee from the USA to Malta in the spring of 2015.
Snowboarding has taken Jenise to Japan, China, South Korea, New Zealand, Switzerland, Spain, England and across the United States, in professional level half-pipe competitions. As Malta’s first snowboarder to represent Malta at the Winter Olympics and that country’s only athlete in the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, Jenise got to be Malta’s flag bearer at the opening ceremony on Friday, February 4th. On the way into the National Stadium, also known as the Bird’s Nest, she was eating a banana. The Maltese flag was handed to her and she had nowhere to toss the peel so she stuffed it inside her jacket. Three hours later, on the train back to where she was staying, she wondered why her shirt was moist. Jenise then remembered the peel and finally threw it away. In addition to skateboarding, Jenise enjoys surfing and exploring the outdoors. She also acts in many television and streaming platform shows. While failing to qualify for the halfpipe finals on Wednesday, February 9th, the dumpling-eating skateboarder “has certainly become an internet star at this year’s Winter Olympics.”.

Jenise Lynae Spiteri was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 18 January 2022: Facebook: Such an honor to be going to the Olympics for Malta and to be announced as the flag bearer. Growing up as a Maltese American, I was always very close to my heritage, celebrating countless feasts and holidays at the Maltese Social Club in San Francisco, and going back to Malta to visit family.
My Nannu and Nanna (Maltese for Grandpa and Grandma) immigrated to San Francisco from Hamrun after World War II when they lost their homes from all the bombings inflicted on Malta during the war. My Nannu created an ice skate boot company that became one of the prominent figure skating companies in the world. Every Winter Olympic year I would watch News crews come to his factory for interviews about how he hand made skates for top champions such as Michelle Kwan.
After supporting Olympians from around the world with equipment for so many decades, I am so proud to be able to honor my Nannu and finally represent his home country at the Olympics. He never got to see me compete on a snowboard before he passed away, but I know he would be so proud of all that I’ve achieved.
I can’t wait to make all of Malta proud as well! Jenise Lynae Spiteri was mentioned in the Times of Malta on 18 January 2022: Snowboarder Jenise Spiteri to represent Malta at the Winter Olympics
January 18, 2022| Times of Malta | Jenise Spiteri will be representing Malta at the upcoming Winter Olympics that will be held in Beijing this month. The snowboarder issued a statement on her social media to reveal the news and the America-based athlete could not hide her pride in becoming Malta’s first-ever snowboarder at the Beijing Games. “It still doesn’t feel real and I don’t think it will until I arrive in Beijing,” Spiteri wrote on her Facebook page. “But HOLY MOLY I’M GOING TO BEIJING! Qualifying for the Olympics has been such a crazy battle, with way more unexpected struggles than I imagined facing when I first began, but I’m so proud of myself for sticking to my goal and never quitting. I’ve finally earned my chance to represent Malta as their first-ever Olympic snowboarder.

     Layla Spiteri was born.¹

     Joseph Hughes was born circa 1980. He married Gina Marie Lencioni, daughter of Emil John Lencioni and Teresa Frances Spiteri.¹
     Joseph Hughes and Gina Marie Lencioni were living in 2023 in Fresno, CA, USA.

     Evan Hughes was born.¹

     Santiago Velasquez was born circa 1977 in Nicaragua. He married Dr. Laura Ann Lencioni PsyD, daughter of Emil John Lencioni and Teresa Frances Spiteri.¹

     Alejandro Velasquez was born.¹

     Sofia Velasquez was born.¹

     Diego Velasquez was born.¹

     Bonny K. Johnston was born circa 1955. She married Charles George Spiteri, son of Joseph Spiteri and Carmela Raphela Josephine Gajetana Spiteri, on 17 May 1985 at Blanco, TX, USA.^1,2 Bonny K. Johnston died in May 2020 at Cottonwood, AZ, USA.
     Her married name was Spiteri.¹

     George Aquilina was born on 31 July 1902 in Qormi, Malta; age 28 in 1930 census; age 38 in 1940 census.^1,3,2 He was issued a Maltese Passport age 18, laborer on 13 August 1920. Declared destination was San Francisco, CA, USA.² He married Rosaria Micallef, daughter of (?) Spiteri.^1,3 George Aquilina died on 25 October 1984 at Guerneville, CA, USA, at age 82.¹ He was buried at Redwood Memorial Gardens, Guerneville, CA, USA.
     George Aquilina was also known as Giorgio Aquilina. He emigrated from Malta on 13 September 1920 to San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹ He and Rosaria Micallef were listed in the 1930 US Census age 28, laundry helper in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.⁴ George Aquilina and Rosaria Micallef were listed in the 1940 US Census age 38, bakery proprietors, bakers in Revere St., San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.³ George Aquilina and (?) Maltese Owned Businesses were Maltese Business New Method Bakery, Revere & 3rd St. in 1940. Research: George Aquilina is mentioned in Maltese: Malta War Relief in 1942.
George Aquilina in 1942. He and Rosaria Micallef were listed in the 1950 US Census age 47, retail gas station manager, owner in San Francisco, CA, USA. George Aquilina attended St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church and was listed as a parishoner in 1962.
Obituary: on 1 November 1984: AQUILINA, George — in Guerneville, Oct. 25, 1984; beloved husband of Rose Marie Aquilina; loving father of Paul and George Aquilina, Josephine Sorich, Norine Ghiglieri and Jewell Gaccallacto; adored grandfather of twelve grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren; a native of Malta and resident of Guerneville; aged 82 years. George Aquilina was also known as Gigi Aquilina.

     Rosaria Micallef was born on 24 September 1901 in Valletta, Malta; age 25 in 1930 census; age 37 in 1940 census.^2,3 She married Emanuele Giovanni Saliba, son of Giovanni Saliba, at Malta; age 18. Rosaria Micallef married George Aquilina, son of Antonio Aquilina.^1,4 Rosaria Micallef died on 4 January 1999 at Sonoma Co., CA, USA, at age 97.
     Her married name was Saliba. She emigrated from Malta on 14 April 1920 to San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹ Her married name was Aquilina.¹ She and George Aquilina were listed in the 1930 US Census age 28, laundry helper in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.² As of 1930, Rosaria Micallef was also known as Lucy Aquilina. She and George Aquilina were listed in the 1940 US Census age 38, bakery proprietors, bakers in Revere St., San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.⁴ As of 1940, Rosaria Micallef was also known as Rose Marie. She and George Aquilina were listed in the 1950 US Census age 47, retail gas station manager, owner in San Francisco, CA, USA. As of 1950, Rosaria Micallef was also known as Rosemarie Aquilina. She attended St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church and was listed as a parishoner in 1962. Rosaria Micallef was also known as Rose Lucy Micallef.
Obituary: on 7 January 1999: AQUILINA, Rose Marie — Passed away In Sonoma. January 4. 1999. Age 97. She Is survived by her children Josephine Sorlch (Tony) of San Francisco. Jewell Coccellato of Guerneville. Norene Ghiglleri of San Francisco. Paul Aquilina (Josephine) of South San Francisco and George Aquilîna (Marie) of San Francisco. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren. 24 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. Research: Josie Spiteri: I can't understand how information for Marie Saliba seems to deadend. She was married and had children. She wanted to visit her mother, RoseAquilina in the 1960's so she must have still lived in the Bay Area. By 1940, Gerard Saliba was now George Aquilina Jr. Lucy Aquilina was now Rose Aquilina, which Rose or Rosaria is her real name. I don't know why she went by Lucy for awhile. I've looked up Emmanuel Saliba. I found one living down in L.A. for awhile. I am not sure if he was the same person. I wondered if he went down to work there during the depression. I found out a few years ago thatEmmanuel Salibadied just a few years before Rose Aquilina. He was in Sonoma and she lived in Guerneville (Russian river). It was weird to think that they lived so close and died a few years from each other.

Rosaria Micallef had an arranged marriage with Emmanuel Saliba in Malta. They came to the U.S. in 1920. He was supposed to be abusive. She left him and took their son, Gerard Saliba but put Marie in a boarding home. We think she ran away with George Aquilina who she may have known in Malta.George left Malta one month afterRose did. Gerard Saliba became, George Aquilina Jr. She didn't get divorced from Emmanuel Saliba for many years so lived with George Aquilina and had 4 more children, my mother-in-law being the youngest. My mother-in-law remembers them going to Reno and thinks that is when they got married. My mother-in-law was in highschool at this time.
Her husband, George Aquilina used to call her Lu and this Maltese lady who knew her, kept calling her Lucy even though I would say her name was Rose not Lucy. But I saw a census, I think, 1930 and she was listed as Lucy Aquilina. We are not sure why the name change but she went back to Rose Aquilina later on.
My husband's family's history is very colorful. I hope this makes sense.

     Paul A. Ghiglieri was born on 19 January 1959 in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.^3,1 He married Deborah J. Gatt, daughter of Spiro George Gatt and Mary DeBono, on 22 April 1978 at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.

     Mary Baldwin was born on 17 June 1922 in Malta.¹ She married Anthony Spiteri, son of Francisco Spiteri and Giuseppa "Josephine" Gaetana Angiolina Bajada, in 1945.¹ Mary Baldwin died on 13 June 2019 at age 96.
     Her married name was Spiteri.¹ She emigrated from Malta on 15 April 1950 to San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.² She was living in April 2014 in Millbrae, CA, USA.

     Mark Spiteri was born on 9 October 1959 in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.^1,3 He married Cindy Nieheus on 28 April 1979 at San Mateo Co., CA, USA. Mark Spiteri and Cindy Nieheus were divorced on 26 November 1984 at San Mateo Co., CA, USA.
     Mark Spiteri was a member of the Maltese American Social Club in 1991. He was living in April 2014. He and Joseph Thomas Spiteri were related to. Mark Spiteri and Joshua Jeffrey Spiteri were related to.

     Carmen Spiteri was born on 23 February 1946 in Malta.¹ She married Alfred Attard Sr, son of George Michael Attard and Mary Anne Scicluna, on 27 June 1964 at San Francisco, CA, USA.^1,2
     Carmen Spiteri emigrated from Malta on 15 April 1950 to San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹ Her married name was Attard.¹ She was living in 2021. She was a member of the Maltese American Social Club in 2024.

     Josephine Francis Spiteri was born on 27 July 1947 in Malta.¹ She married Gerald Fortes on 11 December 1965 at San Mateo Co., CA, USA.^1,2
     Josephine Francis Spiteri emigrated from Malta on 15 April 1950 to San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹ Her married name was Fortes.¹ She was a member of the Maltese American Social Club in 1991. She lived in 2009 at 1009 Silver Hill Rd, Redwood City, CA, USA. She contributed her family's genealogy to MHS on 1 December 2011.² She was living in April 2014. Josephine Francis Spiteri was also known as Fina. Research: Anastasia Fortes
Josephine Fortes
Daniel Fortes
Gerald Fortes. Josephine Francis Spiteri lived at an unknown place.

     Frank J Spiteri was born on 25 May 1949 in Hamrun, Malta.¹ He married Emily J Eska on 14 September 1968 at San Mateo Co., CA, USA.
     Frank J Spiteri emigrated from Malta on 15 April 1950 to San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹ He was a member of the Maltese American Social Club in 1991. He was living in 2020 in Jamestown, CA, USA. He is the grandchild of an unknown person Melissa, Joshua, Ashley, Bradley.

     Anthony J. Spiteri Jr was born on 29 December 1950 in San Francisco, CA, USA.^1,2 He married Colleen T. Ruegg on 30 January 1972 at San Mateo Co., CA, USA.
     Anthony J. Spiteri Jr and Colleen T. Ruegg were living in 2020 in Cameron Park, CA, USA.

     Veronica Ann Spiteri was born on 8 October 1954 in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA; also 18 Oct 1957.^1,2 She married Michael R. Galea.¹
     Her married name was Galea.¹ Veronica Ann Spiteri was a member of the Maltese American Social Club between 1991 and 1994. She and Michael R. Galea were living in 2021 in Folsom, CA, USA. Veronica Ann Spiteri lived at an unknown place.
Research in April 2022: Vera Spiteri Galea, the daughter of Anthony Spiteri, is currently in possession of the original copy of the History of the Maltese Social Club, written by her father for the 75th Anniversary of the MASC. This historical treasure is the only existing history of the MASC's early history.

     Michael R. Galea was born in January 1953. He married Veronica Ann Spiteri, daughter of Anthony Spiteri and Mary Baldwin.¹
     Michael R. Galea and Veronica Ann Spiteri were living in 2021 in Folsom, CA, USA.

     Alfred Attard Sr was born on 1 August 1940 in Mosta, Malta. He married Carmen Spiteri, daughter of Anthony Spiteri and Mary Baldwin, on 27 June 1964 at San Francisco, CA, USA.^1,2 Alfred Attard Sr died on 6 March 2021 at Los Altos, CA, USA, at age 80.
     He emigrated from Malta in 1952 to San Francisco, CA, USA. He was naturalized in 1953. He and (?) Maltese Owned Businesses were Maltese Business Attard Distributing: Wholesale Floor Covering Distributors; with his daughter Michelle. Later, they were joined by his sons Al Jr. and David.
Obituary: : Alfred "Al" Attard, Sr. 1940 - 2021
Alfred Attard Sr. (Al), 80 years of age, passed away early Saturday morning March 6, 2021 at his home in Los Altos, California. He was surrounded by his loved ones at his bedside. Al was born on August 1, 1940 in Mosta, Malta, to the late George and Mary Attard. He was the oldest of four brothers. At the age of 12 he and his family emigrated from Malta to the United States and settled in San Francisco. He met his wife, Carmen Spiteri, in 1962 and married her two years later. Their union was blessed with four children and seven grandchildren. He attended Balboa High School then went on to San Francisco State and graduated with a business
degree. After graduating, his first job was in the floor covering industry. He spent a number of years as a partner at a floor covering distributorship. In 1990 he decided to start his own floor covering business, Attard Distributing, with his daughter Michelle. Later, they were joined by his sons Al Jr. and David. Al had a love for music, specifically playing the piano. He learned to play at the age of four and continued to play throughout his life. He loved nothing more than getting together with his large
extended family at Christmas and playing Christmas carols surrounded by his children, nieces, and nephews. Al also enjoyed spending time at his vacation home at Lake Berryessa then later at Lake Wildwood. He had a love for boating, especially sailing. Al was devoted to his wife and family and loved nothing more than spending time with them. His pride and joy were his grandchildren, and his favorite pastime was spoiling them rotten. Al is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years Carmen, their children Michelle, Rachel, Al Jr., David, and daughters-in-law Carey and Erica. He was a doting grandfather to Michael, Julia, Alyssa, Brennan, Ryan, Evan and Sophia. Alfred Attard Sr was also known as Al Attard.

     Michelle Attard was born on 8 August 1967 in San Francisco, CA, USA.¹
     She witnessed the Maltese Business of Alfred Attard Sr and (?) Maltese Owned Businesses; Attard Distributing: Wholesale Floor Covering Distributors; with his daughter Michelle. Later, they were joined by his sons Al Jr. and David. As of 2016, Michelle Attard lived at 876 Stonegate Dr, South San Francisco, CA, USA; carpetqueen@gmail.com. She was a member of the Maltese American Social Club in 2016.

     Alfred G. Attard was born on 8 January 1973 in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹
     He lived in 1996 at Los Altos, CA, USA.

     David Anthony Attard was born on 6 August 1981 in San Francisco, CA, USA.¹

     Rachel A. Attard was born on 4 April 1971 in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹
     She lived at Los Altos, CA, USA.