The RamPage

August 12, 2022

Welcome Rally

August 18th

Aloha Dance

August 20th

Back to School Night

August 22nd

Freshmen Elections

Week of August 22nd

Senior Sunrise

August 26th

Labor Day - School Closed

September 5th

We are very pleased to share with you some new faces at Garces along with some familiar faces with new job responsibilities. Please join us in wishing them the best of luck for the upcoming school year.

CAITLYN MCKEE

Caitlyn McKee will be teaching Biology and Anatomy & Physiology. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and Kinesiology from California State University Bakersfield and a Master of Science degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology from Springfield College. Caitlyn previously taught Biology at St. Genevieve Catholic High School in Los Angeles. Her experience there helped her to realize how special it is to have the opportunity to share her Catholic faith in the classroom. Caitlyn has been married to her husband Nick for 4 years and has twin boys, Michael and Gabriel.

TORREY CASPER

Torrey Casper will be teaching Pre-Algebra and Algebra this year at Garces. He will also coach varsity wrestling. Torrey earned a Bachelor of Business Administration and Accounting degree from York University of Nebraska. As part of his degree program, Torrey obtained 20 college units in advanced mathematics courses including Intermediate Algebra, Pre-Calculus, Pre-Engineering, and Geometry. Torrey is the founder and president of NexGen Regional Training Center, the largest wrestling program in Bakersfield. He is married to Cheyna, and they have three children, Raidyn 10, Kapri 9, and little baby Sloan 11 weeks old. 

SPENCER KERWIN

Spencer Kerwin will be teaching Physical Science and Physics. He will also coach varsity water polo. Spencer is a Garces alumnus (Class of 2013) and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Geological Sciences from California State University Bakersfield. As part of his degree program, Spencer completed advanced science courses in Structural Geology, Geochemistry, Applied Geochemistry and Geophysics. Spencer was a water polo and swim coach for Bakersfield Water Polo Club for five years and is currently coaching for Kern Premier Water Polo club.

KRISTY

WALKER-KOBAYASHI

Kristy Walker-Kobayashi will be the Assistant Athletic Director and Assistant Dean of Students for the upcoming school year. She will work with Dean Olson on discipline issues specifically with our young women. Kristy will also be assisting with attendance, working closely with Kelly and Mrs. Burns. Finally, Kristy will be assisting AD Gino Lacava with athletics for the upcoming school year 

MICHELLE AUSTIN

Michelle Austin will be developing a learning resource center to assist our students and faculty members. Michelle will be working closely with Mrs. Chambers, Mrs. Limi, Mrs. Howlett, and Dr. Pavletich. A more formalized plan will be shared at a later date. This program will be designed to help with retention and assist those that need academic support in all areas.

SARAH REED

Sarah Reed will be teaching three computers classes, the yearbook class, and will be working this year with the school administration team as their admin assistant. Sarah's assistance will allow Principal  Chambers and Asst. Principal Limi to have more time to support our faculty, to be more present in classrooms, and be out on campus with the students. 

SHANNON CAMPBELL

Shannon Campbell has significantly expanded her duties as Director of Operations, with a special emphasis on facilities management. Shannon will focus on contracts with outside vendors who impact our physical plant along with the upkeep and maintenance of our beautiful buildings and grounds.

TREVOR HORN 

Trevor Horn is taking on the role of Assistant Admissions Director. Trevor's responsibilities will include marketing for prospective students and families. Trevor will remain as our Sports Information Director (SID) and continue to provide tech assistance to IT Director, Gino Lacava. Trevor's new job title might be the longest one on our campus: Sports Information Director, Assistant Admissions Director, & Assistant Technology Director

LOU ANN DURRETT

Lou Ann Durrett is taking on the role of Director of Communications and Alumni Relations. Her responsibilities will include overall communications from the school including the weekly newsletter and social media posts, revamping and updating the Garces website, working with the Admissions team on marketing messaging, and working with the Garces Alumni Board on the Hall of Honor and the Alumni Scholarship. 

Back to School Retreat

The Back-to-School Retreat was a wonderful way for our students to begin the school year. Principal Chambers shared that the theme for the upcoming year is “gratitude”, the students met in small groups to discuss and reflect on what gratitude means to them, and they heard from the new president, Mr. Kent Hickey. He shared his vision of a Catholic school, and it was very simple. As a Catholic school, all we do is grounded in our faith. That’s the reason for our existence. There are two very important ways to live this out: First, we are called to seek the magis. The magis means “the more.” We are called to be more so that we can do more. Each of us has received gifts from God. What God wants of us is to develop and grow in our gifts, all in service to the Kingdom and lifting up God’s people. The second way we live out our mission – also a Latin word – is by consistently practicing cura personalis. This “care for the person” should fill our hearts so that other things like judging or resentment can’t take up residence there. Garces should be a slice of the Kingdom of God, a loving place of acceptance. Both seeking the magis and practicing cura personalis flow from gratitude, a clear connection to Principal Chambers’ emphasis for our school year. 

First Day of Classes

Today was the first day of classes and it was so much fun watching the students and faculty members getting to know each other and sharing information about what to expect during the first semester. For our new students, they got to see what being a Garces Ram is all about - making new friends, morning prayer, daily announcements, closing prayer, walking the hallways between classes, grabbing a snack in the Student Store or food in the cafeteria, and most importantly finding their spot on campus - for most of our new students - it's freshmen alley. And for anyone who was lost or had questions, Principal Chambers was out in the quad helping students navigate their first day of classes. 

Some quotes from some of our students:

"Mr. Hickey looks like Luke Skywalker…the older version.” 

"The cafeteria is so much better! The fries are good and the ranch sauce is really good."

"The new bio teacher is cool. Everyone really likes her."

"I was so happy to see Mr. Pannick. He makes theology fun. Actually, all the theo teachers are great."

"It's so great to be back on campus."

"It's the same but different, in a good way." 

This morning our administrators and faculty members welcomed our parents back to campus with coffee and pastries in the Mehnga Sanghera Family Collaborative Learning Center. It was wonderful to see so many of our parents on campus, especially meeting all the new ones who are joining our Ram family this year. Thank you to everyone who helped make it a special morning. 

Please note the date change for this year's Holy Smoke BBQ. We are happy to report that Fred Allison and his talented BBQ crew will again serve up his famous filets and all the gourmet fixings that accompany your dinner. A big thank you to those who have already stepped up as sponsors for this year's event.  

Title Sponsor - Mission Bank

Brothers Sponsor - Ordiz Melby Architects

Sisters Sponsor - John and Kathy Gargan

Padre Garces Sponsors - ASI, Inc., A+ Shredding, Inc./Joe Antongiovanni, and Tom and Judy Franconi

Friend of Garces Sponsors - B & B Surplus and H.A. Sala, Attorney at Law

If you are interested in joining this generous group of sponsors, you can click on the link below, or you can contact Tonya Abbott at tabbott@garces.org or call 661-327-2578 ext. 118.  

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.

Jason Kammeraad

The father of Ryan Kammeraad, Class of 2020, passed away. Services are scheduled for Wednesday, August 17th at 11:00 at Greenlawn Cemetary. Please keep the Kammeraad family in your prayers.  

The Garces Memorial Alumni Board is pleased to announce the inductees for the 2022 Hall of Honor. They are Dr. Tom Berry, Mrs. Joan (Haller) Finch '87, Mr. Ed Hearn, and Mrs. Jenny (Maitia) Poncetta '70. The legacy family who will be presented the 2022 Alumni Award is the Kari & Steve Anderson Family. 

The inductees will be honored at the 13th annual Hall of Honor on Thursday, September 8th at Luigi's Warehouse. The evening kicks off with a no-host cocktail reception at 5:30, dinner at 6:30, followed by the awards presentation. Tickets are $100 per person and tables seat 8. For additional information please contact Lou Ann Durrett. 

Over the next few weeks, we will highlight each of our inductees.

Ed Hearn joined the administrative team at Garces Memorial in 1991, at a time when the school was experiencing a sharp decline in enrollment and needed a change in leadership and direction. He spent five years at Garces setting the gold standard for future administrations as much of what Garces Memorial represents today was due to his vision.

When Ed arrived at Garces, he was unaware that the school had a 2.5 million dollar debt to the diocese and upon arrival, he was given six months to bring the school into the black. Following that stumbling block, a plan was created to repay the debt by the time Ed left five years later. Also at this time, the school implemented a new administrative model and he was appointed the President/Principal, implementing a restructuring effectively used in several successful Catholic schools across the country. In his role, Ed implemented several changes for the betterment of Garces. One of the most significant was a more definitive and focused model for Catholic education that enhanced the identity of Garces as a Catholic, co-educational, college preparatory school. In October 1991 Ed launched the Parent Pledge program which he continues to practice to this day in his capacity as a school President.

In addition to providing the guiding philosophy and direction of Garces, Ed was responsible for many improvements at the school. The school significantly improved its academic offerings by adding new Honors and Advanced Placement courses, a summer reading program, summer school and a study skills program for incoming freshmen. Instructors were encouraged and financially supported to attend in-service training to improve instructional delivery. Ed worked with the late Johnny Etcheverry cleaning, sanding, and preparing the wrought iron fence that surrounds our campus to this day. Buildings were painted inside and out, classroom floors were carpeted, new roofs were installed, the parking lots resurfaced, and a new concession stand was built. Athletic fields were also improved and the marquee on the corner of Union and Columbus was installed

Under Ed’s leadership, Garces developed the 2010 Plan which was a road map outlining the future direction and needs of the school. The 2010 plan was published in January of 1995 and prioritized the school’s needs into either physical plant or school operations. Many of the changes to our campus are a result of the 2010 Plan – including the library, the administration office, the concession stand, and the fence surrounding the school.

Ed left Garces in 1996 to become the Principal of Brophy College Preparatory, a private Jesuit, Catholic school in Phoenix, Arizona. In 2006, Ed became the president of St. Augustine High School in San Diego, California, where he currently continues to provide exceptional leadership in his role as their president.

In 2016, Ed came back to Garces to provide leadership and guidance on the Garces Memorial 2018-2024 Strategic Plan. Ed drove up from San Diego numerous times over several months to lead discussions with the planning committee members about the future needs and objectives for Garces Memorial. His insight and moderating abilities were invaluable in creating the final document that the school is using today.

Ed received his BA from Loyola University of Los Angeles and his MA from California State University Los Angeles and has spent over 50 years in education. Ed is married to Diana, they celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2021 they have three boys, Nate, Conor and Mark two grandchildren with a third one due today. 

Every year, the Hail Mary Club works with Garces to determine the greatest need that they can help the school with by raising funds during the Fund a Need portion of their live auction. This year, the HMC is raising funds to help the school purchase a much-needed heater for the Garces pool. While it may not sound exciting, the need is great as all of our students use the pool - whether it's in their PE class, as a member of water polo, swim, or dive teams, a team or club bonding experience, or the PLTW boat races. We also have future Rams who use the pool through club swim and club water polo programs. The pool is a wonderful place on our campus and we love that so many people enjoy using it.