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The Ram Page

February 23, 2024

Bi-Weekly Newsletter for Garces Families, Students, Alumni & Friends

Important Dates

Feb. 23

Barn Dance

March 1

Bakersfield Condors Faith Night

March 6

Fog Delay Start

March 9

Garces Gala

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Letter From FFA Advisor

Dear Garces Memorial School Community,



As we wrap up an enriching and eventful Garces Memorial FFA Week, I wanted to take a moment to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for your unwavering support and enthusiasm. This week and the start to the semester has been a testament to our collective dedication to the values and principles of agriculture and leadership, and I am truly proud of what we have accomplished together.


First and foremost, I want to express my deepest appreciation to our supporters within the school community. Your encouragement, whether through attendance at our events, donations, or simply spreading the word, has been instrumental in the success of our FFA Week. Your belief in the importance of agriculture and its role in shaping our future is truly inspiring.

To our student leaders, thank you for your tireless efforts in organizing and executing a diverse range of activities throughout the week. Your passion for agriculture and commitment to fostering a sense of community within our chapter is truly commendable. It is through your leadership that we continue to thrive and grow as an organization.


I also want to extend my gratitude to the faculty and staff who have shown their support for our FFA chapter. Your understanding of the importance of agriculture in our community and your willingness to support agricultural education within our amazing school is invaluable. Your dedication to our students' growth and development does not go unnoticed, and we are incredibly grateful for your ongoing support. 


As we reflect on the successes of FFA Week, I encourage each member of our school community to continue to watch and support our chapter and its members as they grow in their leadership and performance. With God as our guide, we can confidently navigate the challenges ahead, knowing that our endeavors are supported by a community rooted in faith and solidarity.


Once again, thank you to everyone who played a part in making FFA Week a memorable and impactful experience. I am excited to see what the future holds for our chapter, and I am confident that with your continued support, we will achieve great things together.


In thanksgiving, please join me in prayer to honor the patron saint of farmers, Saint Isidore.

O God, who taught Adam the simple art of tilling the soil, and who through Jesus Christ, the true vine, revealed Yourself the husbandman of our souls, deign, we pray, through the merits of Saint Isidore, to instill into our hearts a horror of sin and a love of prayer, so that, working the soil in the sweat of our brow, we may enjoy eternal happiness in heaven. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.”

In faith and gratitude,

Mrs. Rossi

Saint Isidore, Pray for Us!

FFA Week On Campus

It was another fantastic and fun FFA Week on campus. There was a farmer's market on campus for the public on campus on Tuesday. Wednesday morning was the annual pet blessing where dozens of students and staff brought their pets to campus to be blessed by Father David. On Friday, the class sweethearts were announced and Mrs. Golla was chosen to participate in the annual "Kiss The Pig" contest where Mr. Hewes lost out and was given the opportunity to kiss Sam The Ram.

The fun-filled week concludes tonight with the Barn Dance at 8 a.m. in the gym.

Congratulations to FFA Advisor Mrs. Rossi and the entire FFA department on campus for an wonderful week.

News From The Admissions Office

Applying is just a click away. Use the links below to begin the application process for admission and to apply for tuition assistance.

Incoming Freshman Application
High School Transfer Application
Tuition Assistance Application
Bakersfield Catholic Education Foundation Scholarships

Student News

Sacco Visits PLTW Classes

John Sacco visited this week with Mrs. Cook's PLTW classes to speak to them about the importance of recycling to inform them of his industry and how recycling is more than just filling up the blue bin every two weeks. He spoke about the importance of recyclables and the myth of them being a waste untrue. Students took notes and gave insight in a question-and-answer sessions as well.

Thank you Mr. Sacco for your time spent with our students this week.



Mock Trial

Last month the Garces Mock Trial team competed in three competitions total. On Super Saturday many of our students received awards and special recognition during the awards ceremony. Veronique Curutchague and Julia Maristany received the Honor Court awards. Thomas Buckley and Piper Swartley received awards for being outstanding attorneys. Adrian Guerra and London Shoffner received awards for being outstanding witnesses. Our very own Madisyn Tadeo won second place in the courtroom artist competition! The Mock Trial team puts in countless hours into preparing for competitions… we are so proud of all their hard work and dedication! A special thank you to our wonderful attorney coaches, Mr. H.A. Sala, Mr. Hutchison, and Mr. Root. The Garces Mock Trial team would not be the same without you, we are blessed to have you. Thank you for all the hours you dedicated to coaching and shaping our students! 

Garces Night With Condors

Garces ASB is excited to announce an upcoming group night with the Bakersfield Condors scheduled for Friday, March 1st, themed "Faith Night." Interested individuals have the opportunity to purchase discounted tickets to the Condors game, and $2 from every ticket purchased will contribute to supporting Garces ASB and student life!

We've secured a block section with 125 seats, and we warmly welcome all future (and their families), present, and past Rams to join us for this exciting event. We also extend the invitation to our wonderful faculty, staff, and their families.

For your convenience, I have placed an event flyer in your mailbox. Kindly display it in your classroom and encourage your students to attend.

To purchase tickets, please use this link:  or scan the attached QR code.

We look forward to a fantastic turnout and an enjoyable evening of hockey. Thank you for your support!

Company G! Presents


Company G had auditions for the Garces spring musical, “The Little Mermaid.”


Congratulations to all who auditioned. This cast is phenomenal!



Save the dates for the show on May 2,3 & 4 in the quad 8 p.m.

Time to Register for our Spring Kairos Retreat


Open to all seniors and juniors, with priority going to seniors. Four amazing, life changing days at the beautiful Serra Retreat Center in Malibu. Transportation, food and lodging included.


Retreat fee: $350

Financial assistance is available for students needing help with covering the retreat fee.


Please complete the registration form and return to Tonya Abbott by March 1.


"I had no idea what to expect on last year's Kairos retreat. From day one, I knew it would be an experience I would cherish for a lifetime. An amazing time with my classmates, opening our hearts and minds to embrace our individual faith journeys."


Analeese Alvarado

2023 Retreatant

2024 Retreat Student Leader



Click here to download the Retreat Release Form

This Week in Garces Athletics

Sophomore Bella Arias high-fives teammates before the Central Section Division I semifinals on Tuesday. The Rams are at Liberty tonight at 6 p.m. in the D-I finals.

Baseball

The Garces Memorial JV and varsity baseball teams are set to host the Terrio Classic championships after both going 4-1 to begin the season. This week, varsity beat East on Saturday 10-0 and defeated Shafter by the same score on Thursday. The Rams host Rosamond tonight to set up the finals on Wednesday.


Boys Basketball

The 8th-seeded Rams opened up the Central Section Division II playoffs with a resounding 58-48 win over San Luis Obispo in front of a huge home crowd before a hard-fought loss to No. 1 Dinuba in the quarterfinals, 53-47. The Rams finished the season 15-15 overall and took second place in River League standings.

Boys soccer

With less than a minute left in regulation, the No. 14-seeded Rams scored an equalizing goal by Jack Bordenave to tie the game at 1-1 and force overtime in the opening round of the Central Section D-III playoffs at No. 3 Chavez. But the Titans scored a goal in overtime before


Girls Soccer

In one of the rare occasions for all sports in the Central Section, Garces Memorial girls soccer will square off in the Division I finals at 6 p.m. in an all-Bakersfield finals. After defeating No. 10 Santa Maria-Righetti 2-0 in the quarterfinals and No. 3 Clovis North in semifinals, the 2nd-seeded Rams are at No. 1 Liberty in the finals tonight. Ticket and live stream information can be found on the Garces Athletics Facebook and Instagram accounts @GarcesAthletics. The Rams have already secured a berth into the CIF regional playoffs that will be announced on Sunday.


Softball

The softball team opens up the regular season Saturday with a double-header beginning at 11 a.m. against Lancaster-Paraclete.


Swim and Dive

The Garces Memorial swim and dive teams opened up the season the past two weeks with home dual wins over Highland and Tehachapi.



Track and Field

The track and field teams opened up the season on Thursday in the Liberty Time Trials, led by a top-10 finish by senior Ian Harrison in the boys 100 meters.


Wrestling

It was a banner weekend for the Garces Memorial wrestling program. The Rams sent nine boys and four girls to the Central Section Masters tournament at Selland Arena in Fresno. Sophomore Kaila Delfin finished fourth at 110 pounds, while seniors Brendon Ko (7th, 138 pounds) and Hayden Tadeo (8th, 165) also medaled with all three advancing to the CIF State Wrestling Championships.

All three were eliminated from the state tournament on Friday morning, but set a school record with three wrestlers at state, a wonderful completion to the wrestling season.



Stay current with Garces Athletics on social media @GarcesAthletics on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

45th Annual Garces Gala

"The Magic of Garces"

Saturday, March 9

Gala Tables are SOLD OUT!


We are thrilled to report that we are SOLD OUT! if you are thinking of coming to the Gala please contact us and we will put you on the wait list in case someone is unable to attend.


Please contact Lou Ann Durrett or Jenny Asaro in the Development Office.

Sneak Peak - Gala Auction Items

NORTH SHORE

LAKE TAHOE


The highest bidder will enjoy a week in Incline Village at the Root family condo on a private beach across the street from the Hyatt. The condo sleeps eight.

SIX TICKETS TO LA RAMS HOME GAME


The highest bidder will win six premium seats to a LA Rams home game. The highest bidder will have the option of either seeing the Rams play the Raiders, Packers, 49ers or the Eagles.

DINNER FOR 12 AT THE VALPREDO'S HOME WITH GARCES PRESIDENT


The highest bidder will enjoy dinner for 12 with the new president of Garces. Dinner will be prepared by the owner of Luigi's - Gino Valpredo.

TROPHY TRUCK EXPERIENCE

Team Building, Guys Day, or Bachelor Send-Off


Garces parent, Wayne Lugo, is donating a once-in-a-lifetime experience - a thrilling ride in his Trophy Truck. He is offering a "Day in the Desert" for five! It will include food and drinks. Wayne will provide the safety equipment and the Race Crew. Click on the button below to see how amazing the ride will be. It is truly an adventure of a lifetime!

Wayne Lugo's Trophy Truck

Thank You to Our Gala Sponsors To Date!

Thank you for underwriting our event. We couldnt do it without your support.

Houdini Level

Citizen's Business Bank


Copperfield Level

Anthony Vineyards, Inc.

JoRonCo Rentals


Penn & Teller Level

Mission Bank

Tom & Terri Jamieson

OLPH Parish

Borba Ranch

Ingrid & John-Paul Lake

Abracadabra Level

Mary Trichell

Cabinetworx

Trinity Safety Company

Jim Burke Ford

Berry Family Dentistry


Voilà Level

A+ Shredding

B & B Surplus

Mazzei Franconi LLC

Southern Valley Chemical

Kathy Gargan

Hoekstra & Associates

Knigh'ts Site Services


Hocus Pocus Level

Bakersfield Net

Rick & Cindy Jones

2024 Gala Committee

We are blessed beyond measure with our volunteer committee members for this year's Gala. They are an outstanding group who want to make this year's Gala an exceptional event for the Garces community.

Ingrid Lake '97, Co-Chair

Mia Selvidge '87, Co-Chair


Lisa Andrew '84

Suzie Antongiovanni '97

Jennifer Borba

Terri Collins '72

Lindsay Denison '94

Gina Fanucchi

Lauren Helper '98

Sarah Hoekstra

Deanna Lugo

Julissa Maristany

Cindy Meek

Tami Opie '88

Melissa Ortega

Teresa Ramos-Alvarez '78

Raji Sanghera '87

Courtney Tobias '92

Annalisa Townsend

Andrea Weishaar

Jenny Asaro

Lou Ann Durrett

If you are interested in volunteering your time to help in some way with Gala, please let us know. Many hands make light work and we welcome everyone who would like to help out. Please reach out to Jenny Asaro, Development Associate at jasaro@garces.org.

Follow Us!


Check out our new Instagram page and give us a follow on Instagram


@garcesFUNraising


Garces Gala, Holy Smoke Fall BBQ and Monsignor Leddy Golf information and highlights will be posted on our new Instagram page.

In Our Prayers

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

May they rest in peace. Amen.


Joaquin Resendez '55

Father of Chris Resendez '79 and Alyce Castaneda '82;

Grandfather to Christopher Castaneda '01, Brandon Resendez '06, Adam Resendez '06, &

Stephanie Valdez '15.


Jim Clark Sr. '63

Father to Jimmy Clark '92; Grandfather to Nikolaos Lelopoulos '12 & James Lelopolos '16