The Bachelorettes and Bachelors of USD

Meet some of USD’s finest and brightest single ladies and gentleman 

Taylor DeGuzman / Arts & Culture Editor / The USD Vista 

Although Valentine’s Day is over, love is still lingering amongst many hopeless romantics and several eager-for-love, drama-obsessed “Bachelor” fans. Season 25 of ABC Television’s “The Bachelor” is at the center of many college students’ Monday nights — specifically reserved for charcuterie boards and watching one man date 30 women at the same time. The youngest contestant and possible future wife for bachelor Matt James is 21 years old, while the next youngest contestant is 22 years old. Practically right out of college, if these young contestants are mature enough to find love, then sure enough, the bachelorettes and bachelors of USD are as ready as ever to find their special someone. 

For now, ditch the dating apps, the Instagram DMs, and the Zoom private messages, and see if you can find “the one” in this story. 

Meet the Bachelorettes… 

Alex Retodo

Alex is a kind-hearted, talkative, passionate ray of sunshine. She describes herself as a little stubborn at times, but fiercely loyal to the people she cares about and the values that are the most important to her. When Alex isn’t working toward her dream of being a pediatrician, she is living the dream of catching sunrises and sunsets from Mission Beach, making and serving delicious coffee to beachgoers as a part-time barista, listening to lots of music, and spending time with her roommates. The special someone for Alex is a man who is kind, respectful, and will accept her for all that she is. She would love someone to talk all day with, someone who works hard, and someone who is spiritual and faith-centered.The perfect day with Alex would be waking up super early to go on a hike and watch the sunrise, then drinking yummy coffee and breakfast, and then a picnic in the park, basking in the sun. 

Fun facts:

• In high school, Alex worked at Chick-fil-A 
• Alex was in the dolphin show at Sea World when she was six years old
• Alex tore her calf muscle playing intramural volleyball her first year of college 

Monica Daschel

If a celebrity were to play Monica in the movie of her life, she said it would be Mila Kunis, because a Buzzfeed quiz decided that for her. Monica is unapologetically herself and truly the life of the party; she’s the one you call when you’re in need of an energy boost, or you’re having a bad day. Passionate about more representation for women in STEM, Monica hopes to make an impact on students as a middle school science teacher in the future. She is looking for someone who she can be herself around, a best friend to spend life with, and the person who will carry her home when her feet begin to hurt. Her dream date would have to be at Disneyland (post-pandemic) or a sunset picnic with Taco Bell. 

Fun facts:

• Monica had her appendix removed in the Australian Outback 
• Monica is on level 99 of the game Bakery Story 
• Monica is currently learning how to roller skate 

Maddie Nye

Maddie is an outgoing adventure seeker who showers the people she loves with yummy baked goods. She is incredibly proud of surviving 2020 without dying her hair or cutting her own bangs. The ideal person for Maddie is not only someone who will indulge in hours and hours of TikToks with her, but also someone who is willing to step outside of their comfort zone and either join her on top of a table to dance in front of a crowd, or cheer her on: there’s no in-between. On the flipside, Maddie can’t see herself with someone who is closed-minded or is too prideful to admit when they’ve made a mistake. The perfect date with Maddie is nothing too fancy or formal: it would start off with a quick and casual dinner, then a concert with lots of dancing and good vibes, and then finally end with some delicious ice cream. 

Fun facts:

• Maddie has held jaguars in Honduras 
• Maddie has a Harry Styles themed bathroom 
• Maddie has met both Jojo Siwa and the Walmart yodeling kid, Mason Ramsey

Sophia (Phia) Leonard

An aspiring traveling marine biologist and founder of a rescue-rehabilitate-release center, Phia has a big heart that shines through her passions. Phia is bold and isn’t afraid of being herself; she’s the one in the room who is always laughing and always loud, all while having the biggest smile on her face. She is looking for someone who will always make her laugh, never fail to make her day, and someone who she can be her most authentic self around, which she worries is a lot to ask for considering her bubbly, chaotic energy — something that the perfect person won’t ever think twice about. A typical day in Phia’s life consists of Zoom University, avocado toast, work, nap, making rice, doing lots of homework, and ending the day with a roomie dance party. 

Fun facts:

• Phia is an avid Guy Fieri fan
• Phia once revived a bee back to life after he was drowned in lemonade (She even gave him CPR) 
• Phia has been getting into crocheting, knitting, and embroidery

Meet the Bachelors…

Owen Hess

Owen is full of life, charming, and always the one cracking jokes and making people laugh. He’s the kind of guy who loves being active, whether it be snowboarding, cliff jumping, or working out; however, he is perfectly fine staying in all day, watching movies, and ordering Grubhub. Owen hopes to join the Airforce in the future, and then hopefully work for a company like SpaceX or NASA. The perfect person for Owen is someone who is fun and daring, someone who he can spend hours talking to and never run out of things to say, and especially someone who has the same music taste as him. If Owen could plan the perfect date, it would be a boat ride on Lake Washington in Seattle, lunch at Ivar’s (a restaurant on the lake), eating the best fish and chips in the world, and then the rest of the day would consist of swimming, listening to good music, and drinking mimosas. 

Fun facts:

• Owen has the same birthday as Taylor Lautner 
• Owen was once in a commercial for Naked Juice 
• Owen has an up-to-date photo album of every dog and cat he has ever met 

Jon Woodward

Born and raised in a small town west of Denver, Jon is as adventurous, free-spirited, and in love with life as it gets. He describes himself as a God-following, world-traveling, others-based “Boomer” trapped in a young body with a forever childish heart. His dream typical day would be waking up early, skinning up a mountain with his skis or surfing the ocean, sharing breakfast with family and friends, heading off to work and making a difference in other people’s lives, and then finishing the day off with a home-cooked meal and drinks with friends. Jon sees himself starting his own biotechnology research clinic in the future — his dream is to one day work directly with physicians and create new products that help patients and doctors alike. In a future girlfriend, Jon looks for someone who is as adventurous as he is, as Christ-driven as he is, and someone who has dreams and aspirations for her future. He hopes that whoever she is, she lights a fire in his soul and he can light one in hers. 

Fun facts:

• Jon hiked 4 14’ers (14,000-foot mountains) in one day, twice 
• Although Jon once hated country music, he loves it now and it has helped him realize he’s a great singer
• Jon has traveled to 20 countries

Donovan (Donny) Alcones

Donny was born and raised in San Diego. He describes himself as a giving person, especially when it comes to the friends and family in his life. Wickedly smart and insanely driven, Donny has dreams of composing music for either the video game or animation industry; he would also love working on worldbuilding and doing cultural research. While on the surface, Donny shows others his intellect and his drive, he says when you get to really know him he ends up being more humorous and a little unhinged: all great things. Donny is looking for a man who’s able to say what’s on his mind and someone who is well-versed and passionate about something. A major turnoff for Donny is someone who is overly forgetful and doesn’t pay attention to the little things. The perfect date with Donny would be tacos at 664 TJ Birreria, a beautiful walk around Seaport Village while eating ice cream, and then a walk around the Sheraton Hotel, pretending to be fancy guests. 

Fun facts:

• In middle school, Donny won a gold medal in algebra, not by answering all the questions correctly, but by analyzing the pattern between the ones he could answer, and then filling in the blanks 
• Donny made a trick shot with a ping pong ball at a Christmas party, winning the game before it even started 
• Donny can speed walk like no other 

Adam McLeod

Adam is goofy, kind, and easy-going. He describes himself as the kind of guy who goes with the flow, always eager to have a good time with the people he loves. In the future, Adam hopes to do something in either real estate or fashion. A typical day in Adam’s life starts with a 5 a.m. three-mile run, then after, some Bible reading, a shower, nap, classes, and then homework; if he has time, he’ll research his favorite philosopher and then spend the rest of his day spending time with best friends. The qualities he looks for in a girlfriend are a good sense of humor, loyalty, charisma, and mindfulness. If Adam could plan the perfect date, it would consist of an “outstanding” meal at Denny’s or BJ’s, laughing with his girl, and driving to the beach to enjoy a nice sunset walk. 

Fun facts:

• Adam is amazing at riding his ripstik 
• Adam is going to name his future wiener dog Sir Harold 
• Adam can guess your astrology sign