A Message from the Garces School Board of Directors 

Garces Crest
Dear Garces Parent Community,
 
The Board of Directors would like to thank you for your continued support of Garces Memorial High School. We appreciate all you do for the school and the students.  As a Board, we wanted to update you on several items, explain what our role is as a Board, and share the significant accomplishments at the school over the last several months.  We join with you believing in the mission of Garces to provide an excellent Catholic education.
 
Our Board meets once a month and the minutes from each meeting are available on the Garces website. Our role as a Board is advisory.  Principal Peck has created a very transparent environment and seeks our advice at every board meeting.  Ms. Peck uses our feedback to formulate her decisions.   We advise our principal on many different issues such as: school policy matters, capital improvement projects, enrollment, curriculum, development, and many more. We also meet with teachers and administrators on a regular basis to get their input.
 
The Garces Board of Directors has played a role in some of the accomplishments that have occurred on campus. We have helped Principal Peck during her transitional phase as a new principal. The Board went through an extremely lengthy process of planning the new solar project that will save Garces thousands of dollars in energy costs over the next twenty years. We advised, and are currently involved in, the development of the Garces Strategic Plan which will provide Garces a pathway to achieve further success over the next ten years.
 
The Board members firmly believe in the importance of a Catholic education. Garces provides each student with an excellent education in an environment that promotes faith, compassion, knowledge, and justice. As our Rector Monsignor Kavookjian has said; "the Gospel is proclaimed in classes, athletic events, and student activities, and in important areas of your students' life."
 
We know there are always areas for improvement and we are all continuously working to identify and address these areas. The board will continue to work on areas that will help the school to maintain a strong Catholic identity, increase enrollment, solve transportation issues, roll out the new solar program, and keep Garces financially sound for years to come.  We will also offer assistance with school wide community service projects and student leadership development. With your help and the support of the entire Garces community, it is our hope that the students will cherish their time here and be prepared to be leaders of the future.
 
May God bless Garces.
 
The Garces Board of Directors

Rev. Msgr. Perry Kavookjian, Rector 
Bill Rector '78, Chairman
Diane (Griffiths) Riley '73, Vice-Chair
Ann Braun
Dan Klingenberger
Greg Petrini '85
Sarah Price
Camille Redmond
Sylvia Sala
Gino Valpredo '88
Jenny (James) Waguespack '89
Ms. Mona Faulkner, Superintendent 


Look for your letter from Msgr. Perry next week, or you can make your end of year donation by going to our  online donation site.
Christmas Week at Garces

If you judge the success of Christmas Week by the number of students and faculty members dressed up each day, then it was a huge success!  Everyday at lunch we gave away a bid to the Winter Formal to whomever was deemed "Best Dressed" and it was a tough decision each day for our judges because so many Rams went all out. The winners were:

Christmas Morning: Isaiah Hughes
Ugly Sweater Day: Christina An
Christmas Tie and Socks: Dominic Fanucchi
Flannel Day: Makenna Porcella and Catherine Macias
Festive Friday: Sophie Bouldoukian

On Thursday, the Parent Club sponsored a Christmas Surprise Hunt and students scoured the quad area to find hidden bags of treats - some with gift cards, some with dress passes, and two with formal bids. On Friday, the Link Crew treated the freshman to fun lunch of pizza and holiday games in the ASB Room. Thank you to everyone who helped to make it a great week before finals. 
Adopt-A-Family for Christmas
Ms. Church's Home Room 

This year, in the spirit of giving, we asked each homeroom class to adopt a family.  Some of our homerooms have gone all out - especially Mrs. Church's.  They were given a family with a single mom who has children ages 2, 4, 9 and 10 years old. The students brought in toys and clothing and wrapped all the packages.  They also donated money for a gift card so the family will enjoy a nice Christmas dinner.  Mrs. Church got the family a tree and lights and the students donated ornaments. The class gave the gifts to the family on Thursday.  It surely will be a merry Christmas at their home this year. And we all know that the blessings you give out, are blessings returned. 

Next week we will include additional photos from other home rooms. 
Mock Trial Wins First Competition! 

Congratulations to our Mock Trial Team!  They had their first competition on Wednesday night against Highland High School. The Garces Rams did an amazing job!  They beat the Highland Scotsmen and compete next at Super Saturday Mock Trial on Saturday, January 20th. Pictured are moderator Ms. Nicole Bianco, Matthew Castanares,  Setareh Etesham, Joyce Hernandez, Nick Oh, Farah Abumeri, Alfred Agbayani, Riley Pisano, Victor Agbayani, Kelly McGrath, Mimi Raytis, Michaelted Acosta, Ethan Gandola, Zach Buckey, Luke Jamieson, Moises Gonzalez and attorneys Mr. Dan Raytis, Mr. H.A. Sala, and Antonio Lopez-Hutchson.  Not pictured:  Attorney Mr. Scott Belden. 
Congratulations Mock Trial MVPs

Congratulations to Moises Gonzalez and Joyce Hernandez.  They were selected by their opponents, Highland High School, as the MVP's of the Garces Mock Trial Team on Wednesday night. 

Moises was the Most Valuable Attorney and Joyce was the Most Valuable Performer.  Great job Rams! 
Garces Christmas Concert 

Thursday night was a treat on our campus!  The Concert Band held its annual Christmas Concert.  The performances were amazing.  Our guests all enjoyed themselves as our band was on point!  Thank you to our Rams, Mr. Smith, Mr. Ortega, and Mrs. Smith for all your hard work. And thank you to our band parents who provided treats for our guests.  
Christmas Mass

This year's Candlelit Christmas Mass was a beautiful celebration in our chapel with celebrant Msgr. Perry Kavookjian and Deacon David Rodriguez.  Msgr. Perry's homily was a wonderful reminder about treating each other with kindness as you never know who in your midst may be the Messiah.  The music was performed by Garces students  Ellie Tovar, Nicole Acosta, MichaelTed Acosta, Joann Yi, and Leah Pineda.  They were joined by Garces faculty members  Scott Smith and Bethany LaHammer.  Our special guest p ianist was Jean Caughell.  Thank you to the Garces Parent Club for decorating  the chapel and filling it with the  spirit of Christmas and for the lovely reception table and treats.
Congratulations Lee Begin!

Congratulations to Garces Ram Lee Begin! Lee played in the Boys Water Polo Senior All-Star Game all star game on Sunday, December 10th and was named the MVP! His team, the EYL, won the game 18-8.  Lee had 5 goals and 5 assists and 3 steals.  Not only was he the MVP, he was also the recipient a $100 scholarship from the Downtown Kiwanis Club of Visalia. Great job Lee! 
The RamPage is Back!

Citali Sanchez-Acosta and RamPage editor Renee Rasmussen
This week the Garces Newspaper Club handed out copies of the RamPage during break and lunch.  They did an amazing job.  

Included are articles written by Alex Penner, Jana Dulcich, Citali Sanchez-Acosta, Ashley Ruiz, Rebecca Millar Karl Ventayen, Kate Champness, Renee Rasmussen, Allie Arretche, Grace Turner, Joshua Rodriguez, and Farah Abumeri.

Great job Rams!  The paper was a great read. 
SWYL All-League Volleyball

1st Team All-League
 McKenzie Miller, Emily Demos, Perri Starkey, and Lailah Green
Congratulations to the Lady Rams selected SWYL All-League! 

1st Team:
Perri Starkey
Lailah Green
McKenzie Miller
Emily Demos

2nd Team:
Priscilla Miranda
Aly Dees

Honorable Mention
Alia Lidgett
Emily Demler 

SWYL All League Football

1st Team All-League
Isaac Jimenez, Nick Sill, Isaiah Martin, Bryan Pantoja, and Emmanuel Castro
Congratulations to our Rams named All-League - especially to Isaiah Martin who is a league MVP!  Way to go Isaiah!

SWYL All-League
Offensive Co-MVP - Isaiah Martin

1st Team
Offensive Line - Emmanuel Castro
Defensive Line/De - Isaac Jimenez
Linebacker - Bryan Pantoja
Defensive Back - Nick Sill
 
2nd Team
Wide Receivers/TEs - LeBrevon Austin
Defensive Line - Steven Roland & Rafa Carvajal
Linebacker - PJ Hernandez
Kicker - Peter Delis
SWYL All League Girls Golf

All-League
Claire Cornejo, Julianna Escobedo, & Grace Cornejo
Congratualtions to our Lady Rams who were named All-League for Girls Golf!

Claire Cornjeo
Grace Cornjeo
Julianna Escobedo

All-Valley & EYL All League 
Boys Water Polo

1st Team All-Valley Division 2
Eric Klang, Joe Starr, Grayden Reynolds, and Lee Begin
Congratulations to the Garces Rams Boys Water Polo players who were selected All-Valley and All-League!  A big shout out to Grayden Reynolds who was selected as the MVP of the Valley!  And to Lee Begin who was 1st team All-Valley and 1st Team All-League.

All-Valley Division 2
MVP- Graydon Reynolds

1st Team
Lee Begin
Eric Klang
Joe Starr

2nd Team
Ostin Woodfin

Honorable Mention
Evan Berry
Oliver Oxley

EYL All-League
1st Team
Graydon Reynolds
Lee Begin

2nd Team
Joe Starr

Honorable Mention
Eric Klang
Evan Berry
Ostin Woodfin
All-Valley & EYL All League
Girls Water Polo

1st Team All-League
Laura Gonzalez
All-Valley Division 2
 
Honorable Mention
Laura Gonzalez
 
EYL All-League 
1st team
Laura Gonzalez

2nd team
Claudia Millar

Honorable Mention
Annie Arriola
Molly Soper

70th Anniversary - #19
Message from Vince Fanucchi
Garces Historian & Archivist

Garces Holiday Soccer Festival
 
This year's 28th annual Garces Holiday Soccer Festival will be held on December 15-16 on the campus and at the Kern County Soccer Park.  Since its inception in 1989 it has become the biggest high school tournament in the nation.  This year we will host 114 teams from throughout California, adding to the thousands of matches Garces has hosted over the tournament's history. (We award more trophies each year than most tournaments have teams.)
 
In 2009 Garces inaugurated the Rick Martinez Sportsmanship Award, given to honor exceptional examples of such during the tournament.  It is named after a longtime coach at San Joaquin Memorial who is the only coach to have participated in all 28 tournaments.  Last year it went to Garces coaches Justin Finch and Caitlin Witwer (and her team members Maya Amavizca, Arianna Toretta, Aly Flores and Natalie Antongiovanni), without whose help the reschedule of the rained-out tournament would not have been possible.
 
Special thanks to longtime Holiday Festival supporters:
Kern County Soccer Park
Wall St. Imprintables T-Shirt Co.
Ingraham Trophies
Blueprint Services, Inc.
Kern County Officials' Association
SAT Prep Classes at Garces


Garces is offering two SAT prep classes before school as to not interfere with after-school activities.  The Math Prep class begins January 22nd and the English Prep class begins February 12th. You can clink on the link to the flyer to print out a copy for submission to the Business Office. Forms are also available in the Counseling Office and at the Front Desk.

Godspell Auditions - December 14 & 15

The Garces Theater Program is partnering with Highland High School in a production of Godspell by  John-Michael Tebelak & Stephen Schwartz.  All rehearsals and performances will be at  Highland High School.  The musical will be performed on  Friday April 27th and  Saturday April 28th at 7:00 PM both evenings. 
 
Auditions are Thursday, December 14th and Friday December 15th from 3:30-5:30 PM in the Highland auditorium. Students should come prepared to sing  a chorus or verse of a song that tells a story or a song from the show.  Students need to wear shoes they can  dance in.
News from Counseling

Digital Threat Assessment - Social Media Parent Check List

On Friday, December 8th the Counseling Department attended the Digital Threat Assessment Workshop put on by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools in conjunction with Safer Schools Together. This 8-hour workshop gave attendees a stronger understanding of the current social media world, tools to be able to proactively identify student safety concerns, along with strategies for dealing with online situations as they arise. The counselors learned about the ins & outs of current & upcoming social media platforms (snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, Whisper, vaults, Tumblr, etc...), establishing a social media baseline for our school community, social media data collection during critical time periods, and current digital challenges facing school teams (on-line anonymous threats, cyberbullying & harassment, fake accounts, sexting & sextortion , and much more). 

Below is a link to a PDF handout titled: Social Media Parent Check List this provides parents/guardians a list of suggestions to use at home & when their student is given access to social media. It's important that we encourage our students to create a positive digital footprint as they navigate through high school and into college.

Senior Ads - Deadline is December 31st

Time is running out to get your ad in the yearbook for your senior.  When the books come out, the seniors quickly go to the back to see all the ads and photos submitted for themselves and their classmates.

Please don't miss out.  If you have been thinking about it, now is the time to work on it.  Garces is closed over the Christmas holiday and there will be no one to assist you if you need help.

Please click on the link below and get started on your ad today.

Senior Panoramic Picture - January 10

The Seniors will take their senior panoramic photo on Wednesday, January 10th during lunch. 

Attached is the order form.  They can turn them in to Ms. Hylton at the front desk or give them to Christian Hall on the January 10th.  The photos will be 10" x 24" and double laminated.  The cost is $20.00.

WINTER SPORTS UPDATES
Boys Basketball

Boys Basketball beat Foothill Tuesday night 63-47. Garces overall record is 5-4.

Isaiah Hughes 18, Izaac martiniz 14, Jack Hatten 12, Sam Sakowski 9, Ipreye Egbe 5, Nick Cinquemani 3, Joseph Campbell 2.

On Thursday, December 21st, the Rams play at BCHS. 

Girls Basketball

The Lady Rams lost to BCHS 48-92 on Tuesday. 

Next up is the Arvin Tournament starting Wednesday, December 27th. 
Wrestling

This weekend the team travels to the Los Banos Tournament.
Boys Soccer

VARSITY
The boys went 3-1 at the South High Tournament last weekend.  They beat West 3-0 and South 3-2.  They lost to Mira Monte 1-2.  They beat Stockdale in Penalty Kicks. 

On Tuesday, the boys began SWYL league play and beat Frontier 1-0 to start league play 1-0.

Up next is the Garces Holiday Soccer Festival this weekend.  The boys will play at Garces Friday at 6:30 PM.
Girls Soccer

The girls went 1-1-2 in the South Tournament last weekend.  The girls tied South and Bishop Union.  They beat North 1-0 and lost to Highland 0-1.

On Tuesday, the girls began league play at Frontier.  The girls lost 0-3 and start SWYL league play at 0-1.

Up next is the Garces Holiday Soccer Festival this weekend.  The girls play at Garces on Friday at 4:30 PM.

Incoming Freshmen - Class of 2022
Selfie Contest -  Win $500! 

Take a selfie the next time you are at a Garces event or on campus and you could be a winner! One winner will have his or her Application Fee ($75) and Registration Fee ($425) waived. That's a total of $500.00!  

Photos must be taken on the Garces campus or during aGarces event. Contenders must follow the Garces Instagram account (GMHSRAMS) and post their picture on Instagram before Wednesday, January 31st to be entered. Only photos sent @GMHSRAMS using #Garces #FutureRam will be entered into the competition.

Call for Volunteers

Garces Gala Planning Committee
We will meet again after the Christmas break to continue planning our 2018 Garces Gala.  If you are interested in helping on one of the many sub-committees we welcome your participation.  The 2018 Gala will be held on Saturday, February 24th.  This is a great group of volunteers ready to make this year's Gala a success.  If you are interested you can contact one of the event co-chairs, Monica Sacco, Staci Allison or Cindy Meek or you can contact Tonya Abbott for more information.  Watch for posts on our Instagram as we look back on nearly 40 years of Gala, give you a sneak peak at some of the items we will have on the auction block, and of course the fun our volunteers are having planning the 2018 event!

Follow us at GMHSGala


Msgr. Leddy Golf Classic Planning Committee
2018 Tournament Chair - John Hatten

We are looking for anyone interested in helping us plan the best tournament Bakersfield has to offer!  We are fortunate to have Mercedes Benz of Bakersfield provide a Mercedes Benz Dealership Championship sanctioned tournament this year.  Top players will qualify to move on to the 2018  regional and possibly national championship tournament!

Please contact Tonya Abbott for more information about either of these upcoming events.

Alumni Masses



Upcoming Activities

Friday, December 15
JV Girls Basketball  at Independence Tournament
Varsity Boys Soccer at Garces Tournament
JV Boys Soccer at Garces  Tournament
Varsity Girls Soccer at Garces Tournament
Godspell Auditions at 3:30 at Highland High School

Saturday, December 16
JV Girls Basketball at Independence Tournament
Varsity Boys Soccer at Garces Tournament
JV Boys Soccer at Garces Tournament
Varsity Girls Soccer  at Garces Tournament
Wrestling at Los Banos Tournament

Finals Week At Garces

Monday, December 18
Final Exams
Period 1 8:00 - 9:30 AM
Period 3 10:00 - 11:30 AM

Tuesday, December 19
Final Exams
Period 2 8:00 - 9:30 AM
Period 6 10:00 - 11:30 AM

Wednesday, December 20
Final Exams
Period 5 8:00 - 9:30 AM
Period 7 10:00 - 11:30 AM

Thursday, December 21
Final Exams
Period 4 8:00 - 9:30 AM
 
Friday, December 22
School is Closed for Christmas Break.
Office Hours Next Week

The office will be open next week as follows:
Monday - Wednesday
7:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Thursday: 
7:30 AM - 12 Noon

Friday: Closed
Finals Dress Code

Students will need to come in uniform dress each day.
Hall of Honor
Nominations Due January 26, 2018

The Garces Memorial Alumni Board is accepting applications for the 2018 Hall of Honor.  The Alumni Board can only consider individuals who are formally nominated.  Anyone can make a nomination.  If you wish to make a nomination, please complete the form as much as possible.  The alumni board will also do some additional research on nominees prior to the confidential discussion and confidential voting process. 

Nominees are not notified.  Only the individuals who have been voted in are notified. 

Often, the Alumni Board will hear that their are individuals who should be inducted.  If you know of such an individual who should be in the Hall of Honor, take a moment to fill out the nomination form.

Nominations are due by January 26th. 

To be eligible for consideration:
1. Nominees must have demonstrated a continued commitment to, and promotion of, Garces Memorial's values and philosophy by exemplifying the mission of the school. 
2. Alumni must have graduated at least ten years prior to being nominated.
3. Current employees of Garces are not eligible.
4. No immediate family members of the sitting Alumni Board may be nominated.
5. Previous Alumni Board Members must be retired from the Alumni Board a minimum of three years. 

2018 Hall of Honor Nomination Form

Below is a list of all the Hall of Honor inductees over the past 10 years: 

Mr. Don Border '50
The Late Anthony Cornejo '51
The Late Honorable Larry Kleier '51
The Late Rev. Msgr. Ralph Belluomini '51
Mrs. Yolanda (Papasergia) Griffiths '51
Mr. Tom Werdel '53
The Late John Etcheverry '53
Mr. Paul Summers '53
The Late Charles Anspach '53
The Honorable Robert Anspach '54
Mr. Gary Ogilvie '55
Dr. Gerald Haslam '55
Mrs. Deanna (Maraccini) McCauley '55
Mrs. Katherine (Padilla) Cornejo '55
The Honorable Art Wallace '56
The Late Justin Meyer '56
Mr. Al Sandrini '57
Mrs. Helen (Reischman) Haller '57
Ms. Marianne Laxague '58
Mr. Joe Hernandez '58
Mrs. Joanne (Molinaro) Border '58
The Honorable Louis Etcheverry '58
 Mr. Frank Maitia, Jr. '60
Mr. Stan Antongiovanni '61
The Honorable Gary Friedman '61
Mr. Mike McCaffrey '64
Mr. Arnold Cattani '64
The Late Tom Soliz '65
Mr. Tom Anchordoquy '65
Mr. Dan Giordano '66
Mrs. Deborah (Cerri) Leary '67
Mr. Darrell Feliz '70
Mr. Greg Robinson '70
Mr. Jim Sakowski '70
Mr. Bill Rector '78
Dr. Ken Ruettgers '80
Mr. Patrick Lencioni '83
Mrs. Marianne (Werdel) Witmeyer '85
Mr. Gino Valpredo '88
The late Dr. Romain Clerou
Mr. Pat Franey
Dr. John Ritter
Dr. Richard Tucker
Mr. Gene Garibaldi
Mr. Joe Ziemann
Mrs. Joan Garibaldi
Mrs. Kay Wall
Rev. Msgr. Ronald Swett
Sister Sharon Casey OP
The Late Bob Carroll
The Late Jimmie Icardo
The Late John Kovacevich
The Late Mary Pogon
The Late Rev. Msgr. Patrick Leddy
The Late Sam Tobias
Mrs. Mayie Maitia
Rev. Msgr. Michael Braun
Josten's Orders for 
Announcements, Cap & Gowns

If your student did not order his or her cap and gown for graduation last week from Josten's, please contact Josten's and place your order.  You can also order graduation announcements.  You can go to their website at www.jostens.com or call the local office at  (661) 324-8529.
Help Support Garces
Help Support Garces by using Amazon Smile when doing your holiday shopping! Click on the image above to learn more about Amazon Smile and start shopping!
Alumni Scholarship 

The Garces Memorial Alumni Board offers a scholarship to incoming freshmen who are the children of Garces alumni or grandchildren of Garces alumni.  Applications are due by April 1st.


If you would like to make a donation to the alumni scholarship fund, you can do so on-line or you can mail in a donation.  You can also give in memory or in honor of someone. 

News to Share?

Please email us at  news@garces.org