At Graduation each year, three awards are presented along with the Valedictorian Award and the Salutatorian Award They are the Garces Award, the Bishop's Awards, and the Jim Burke Leadership Award.  While the Valedictorian and Salutatorian are based on a student's GPA, the other awards are voted on by the senior class. Congratulations to the recipients! Below are the seniors who were also recognized at graduation along with our Valedictorian, Danielle Echeverria, and our Salutatorian, Nina Tumulak.   

The Bishop's Award is presented to the graduating male who in the judgment of his classmates best represent those characteristics for which Garces Memorial stands and who most closely manifest Christ's teachings in their own lives

The Bishop's Award is presented to the graduating female who in the  judgment of her classmates best represent those characteristics for which Garces Memorial stands and who most closely manifest Christ's teachings in their own lives.

The Jim Burke Leadership Award is given to the senior, who in the judgment of their classmates, has been most distinguished as a leader both academically and in extra-curricular activities. 

Congratulations to the Garces Boys Tennis Team who finished the season as the CIF D2 Runner Up. Members of the team are: Quintin Arretche, Robert Bankowski, Benjamin Castro, Luke Evans, Antone Fanucchi, Taite Hoover, Nico Lundy, Dylan Simonsen, Zach Turley, and Vincent Zaninovich.  The team is coached by Garces alumni Nick Jacobs '09 and Chrisitan Curutchague '14.

As most of you may know, Mrs. Lela Steiber, one of our long time staff members, is retiring after 40 years of service to Garces Memorial High School. Lela Steiber began working at Garces in 1975.  She taught Girls P.E. and Health; served as the Dean of Students; and was the Garces Athletic Director from 2009-2014.  Her passion has always been about our students and we thank her for starting seven athletic programs for Garces: girls track, girls basketball, softball, girls golf, girls tennis, boys water polo and girls water polo. Lela retires as the winningest coach in the history of Garces. Her all-time Dual Win-Loss Record is 459 Wins and 45 Losses. Her coaching dedication, commitment, knowledge and love of sports resulted in 14 CIF Central Section Championships and 29 League Championships for our school.  Lela holds the Cal High Sports State Record of 191 Consecutive League Wins in Girls Tennis. In 1986 and 1987 she received the National High School Coaching Award from Scholastic Coach Magazine for her superlative performance and dedication to student athletes. Lela was also recognized by the Bakersfield athletic community as Coach of the Year five times over her 30 year coaching career. Lela impacted the lives of thousands of Garces alumni over the years. Garces Memorial and the entire Garces community thanks Lela for her 40 years of work, passion, commitment, and dedication to our school.  She will be remembered for her many championships and records, but for those who played for her, or worked with her, she will be remembered for her love of all the student athletes she coached both on and off the field. Lela sent both her children to Garces - Heidi Steiber '91 and Steven Steiber '99.  Lela moves on to the next chapter in her life and is getting married this summer to Tom Christenson.  We are very happy for her and wish her all the best!

The English Department at Garces Memorial High School is pleased to continue the summer reading program for the upcoming academic year.  Students will be given the reading list, the procedures, and expectations of the summer reading requirement before the last day of school. 

When students return to school in the fall, they should have read their selected books and be prepared to take a short reading test in their English class within the first week of school.  The reading test scores will be incorporated into the English class, constituting approximately 5% of the first semester grade.

Please review the links below:

Parent Information on Summer Reading

Summer Reading Choices - Freshman

Summer Reading Choices - Sophomore

Summer Reading Choices - Junior

Summer Reading Choices - Senior

Congratulations to Garces freshman Sophie Bouldoukian who finished 7th in the Valley in Girls Diving! We are so proud of her! Sophie is the first one on the left.  

Congratulations to our swimmers who medaled at Valley! Pictured above is the Medley Relay Team of Andrew Martinez, Cael Osborn, Carter Kerwin, and Lee Begin. They set a new school record for the Boys 200 yard Medley Relay with a 1:41.04 and placed 6th overall at the CIF D1 Valley Swim Meet!  Additional medals earned at the valley meet - Carter Kerwin (4th in the 100 Breast Stroke) and Lee Begin (7th in the Freestyle). Garces had 20 swimmers qualify for the valley meet which is one of the largest group of qualifiers in several years.  Great job Rams!

The Girls Medley Relay Team of Blair Williams, Caroline Kerwin, Allison Gonzalez, and Lauren Burson earned medals at the CIF valley meet with a 6th place finish!

Congratulations to Caroline Kerwin and Allison Gonzalez who were honored by the Bakersfield Jockey Club at a luncheon on Monday.  They were recognized for being outstanding student athletes in Girls Swimming.

Congratulations to our track athletes who qualified to compete at the Valley Meet on Saturday, May 21st, at Buchanan High School in Clovis, CA.  The meet begins at 4 PM. They are Scott Boylan, Conor Bruce, Julianne Finch, Jamie Penner, Cameron Roberson, Jessica Taylor, Mongkol Chhem, and Konstantin Zagustin. On Friday, May 20th, Garces presented each of them a St. Sebastian medal and wished them good luck at Valley! 

On Wednesday, May 11th, Garces Baseball celebrated Senior Night.  The seniors who were honored were: Luke Ming, Matt Sakowski, Trent Rebuck, Reece Males, and Ben Hakimi.