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Joan (Haller) Finch graduated from Garces in 1987 and was one of six “Haller” siblings to attend Garces Memorial. Joan’s mother, Helen (Reischmann) Haller was a 1957 graduate, and providing her children a Catholic education was of paramount importance to her. Joan’s siblings are Mary Kay (Haller) Link ’82, the late Barbara (Haller) Boylan Schager ’83, Dianne (Haller) Peranich ’84, Katie (Haller) Metcalf ’90, and Daniel Haller ’91. While at Garces, Joan excelled in volleyball, girls basketball, and track and received all-league honors for athletic abilities. Joan still holds the triple jump record at Garces. Joan was also voted Homecoming Queen her senior year.
Joan’s athletic ability earned her a college scholarship, and she went on to play volleyball at Cal State Bakersfield. Joan married her husband Jeff in 1989 and they have three wonderful children who are also Garces graduates – Jordan Finch ’10, Justin Finch ’08, and Julianne Finch ’16.
Joan initially came back to Garces to substitute teach and coach volleyball and was hired by Dr. John Ritter in 2004 as a full-time teacher for PE and Health. She also continued to coach volleyball and the track team. Joan was appointed the Garces Athletic Director in 2014.
As the Garces Athletic Director, Joan made huge strides with the CIF and the KHSD. Her fellow AD’s in the CIF Central Section voted Joan as the recipient of the 2016 California State Athletic Directors Association’s Norm MacKenzie Award as the Athletic Director of the Year. Joan hired our first full-time Athletic Trainer and was one of the first to fully utilize the iPad program at Garces. She put Garces Athletics online, making athletic forms, schedules, rosters, release times, game locations, final game scores, etc., accessible to everyone. She took over the Booster Club and set funds aside for the refurbishing of the gym floor and provided new seating for the players and coaches. She was instrumental in the new sod for the football field. She worked closely with the Hail Mary Club on the refurbishment of the Campbell Field House. She easily worked an 80-hour week on behalf of the students, coaches, and families at Garces. When the Garces Alumni Board was re-established in 2009, Joan was the faculty representative for the first three years. Joan is well-respected by all and remains an exceptional ambassador for Garces.
When Joan’s husband Jeff retired in 2017, Joan decided to join him, and she retired from Garces in 2018.
Joan is a faithful Catholic who lives her life with integrity and grace. For several years, Joan continued to volunteer to help Garces and you could often find her helping at cross country and track meets. On occasion, you will still see Joan at a Garces football game or a soccer game with her grandchildren in tow.
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