Just one week before the swimming season started, Jessica Pavletich was thrust into the role of the head coach at Garces.  Despite the short notice, Coach Pav did a masterful job with the Rams.

She led the  boys team, which had only 14 swimmers and no divers on its roster, to a perfect dual meet record and a Southwest Yosemite League championship.  All but two of the 14 qualified for the Division I Central Section Championships, where the Rams finished in fifth place, best among Kern County schools.

Even more impressive is the fact that this was Jessica's first season coaching swimming at any level. She signed up to be an assistant coach. But when the person originally slated to be the head coach stepped down, she took over and never looked back. 

Eric Klang and  Chance Miller

The third McMurtrey generation has now arrived and includes graduates, Will Shoffner '98, Mason McMurtrey'10, Hayden McMurtrey '14, Emily McMurtrey '17, and Corbin McMurtrey '17; current students, Logan McMurtrey, Grace McMurtrey, Abigail McMurtrey, Mimi Raytis, and Addie McMurtrey; and future Rams, Henry Echeverria, Lily Raytis, Sophia Echeverria, Evy Raytis, Jack Denison, Joe Echeverria, Lauren Echeverria, and Graham Denison.  That's quite a Garces legacy.

The McMurtrey Family has actively supported the Garces community, giving of their time, talents, and financial resources.  But most importantly, they have been advocates for our school.  Mac and Stella became part of the fabric of Garces while their boys were enrolled, and this dedication only grew when their grandchildren arrived.  Their support of Catholic education and the mission of Garces, often behind the scenes, is part of the legacy that they have created.  Most recently, Jim McMurtrey was the project manager for the remodel of the gym lobby and restrooms and the remodel of the school library, which is now The  Mehnga Sanghera Collaborative Learning Center.  Jim and his brother John McMurtrey are also active with the Hail Mary Club in its support of Garces programs.  Likewise, Katy Raytis and her husband Dan are serving as coaches for the Garces Mock Trial Team.  Of course, Mac and Stella's grandchildren have also been doing their part in football, soccer, baseball, softball, swimming, lacrosse, and, of course, cheerleading for all those busy cousins.

Garces is a special place because of families like Mac and Stella McMurtrey - families who show their support by sending their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and hopefully someday, their great-great grandchildren to Garces; families who volunteer to help make the Garces the best school in our community; families who are faith-centered and embrace our Catholic values; families who are part of our rich tradition and storied history; families who make Garces unrivaled in our community. Thank you to Mac and Stella for beginning the Garces McMurtrey tradition, and to their extended family for carrying it on.