Letter from the President - Garces Memorial High School

2008 Fall Sports HonorsVarsity VolleyballCoach Kim Harper28-5 (8-4)SEYL 3rd, Section Div. II ChampionsMost Valuable Player: Shelby StaabMost Inspirational Player: Sarah AllenBest Offensive Player: Melanie ReisBest Defensive Player: Caitlin BernardinCoaches Award: Tara LeachArea Coach-of the-Year: Kim HarperAll-Area 1st Team: Shelby StaabAll-Area 2nd Team: Melanie ReisAll-Area HM: Caitlin BernardinAll-SEYL 1st Team: Caitlin Bernardin, MelanieReis, Shelby StaabAll-SEYL 2nd Team:Amanda Aguilar, Kimber GutierrezSEYL Rookie-of-the-Year: Stevie StierJV Volleyball:Coach Joan Finch21-9 (8-4)Most Valuable Player: Michelle MeertMost Inspirational Player: Kiki SandriniCoaches Award: Molly TobiasFrosh-Soph Volleyball:Coach Lindsay Molinaro23-3 (10-2)Most Valuable Player: LisaMarie SanchezMost Improved Player: Alexis DodenhoffCoaches Award: Kerry BurkeBoys Water Polo:Coach Kacy Aakus7-18Central Section Team AcademicChampions (Water Polo)Most Valuable Player: Josh ShambaughMost Improved Player: Kyle RichmondCoaches Awards:Ryan Farrer, Andrew WhittingtonSection Div. III 2nd Team:Josh ShambaughSection Div. III HM: Kevin McDermottGirls Water Polo:Coach Petra Koudelkova14-11Most Valuable Player: Allie RuettgersMost Improved Player: Megan VargaCoaches Awards:Chelsea Lewis, Meagan ShambaughSection Div. III 2nd Team: Allie RuettgersSection Div. III HM: Megan VargaGirls GolfCoach Keith PerkinsSEYL Champions, Area Div. I Champions, SectionDiv. I 3rd, So-Cal Regional QualifiersMost Valuable Player: Mica GuzmanMost Improved Player: Veronica RindgeCoaches Award: Cassie ClaytonArea Player-of-the-Year: Mica GuzmanAll-Area 1st Team: Cassie ClaytonAll-Area 2nd Team: Julia Berchtold, Jasmine RodriguezAll-Area HM: Veronica RindgeAll-SEYL: Julia Berchtold, Cassie Clayton,Mica Guzman, Veronica Rindge, Jasmine RodriguezSEYL Individual Champion: Mica GuzmanVarsity Football:Coach David Fanucchi6-5 (4-2)SEYL 3rd, Section Div. II QuarterfinalistsMost Valuable Player: Andrew FanucchiCommitment Award: George MeertLeadership Award: Chris TaylorExcellence Award: Sean McNallyCal-HiSports.com All-State 2nd Team (Medium Schools):Andrew Fanucchi (LB)All-Area 1st Team Defense: Andrew FanucchiAll-Area 2nd Team: Stephen Harmer (P)All-Area HM: Andrew Putman (DL), Sean McNally (OL),Jalen Sykes (RB), Chris Taylor (LB)All-SEYL 1st Team:Andrew Fanucchi (OL), Stephen Harmer (P)All-SEYL 2nd Team: Andrw Putman (DL),Sean McNally (OL), Jalen Syles (RB)TV 29 Hometown All-Stars:Andrew Fanucchi, Andrew PutmanArena Bowl Selections:Andrew Fanucchi, Andrew Putman, Riley ScottBoys Cross-Country:Coaches Susan Walker & Mark BrownSEYL 5th, Section Div. IV 6thMost Valuable Varsity Runner:Connor O’MalleyMost Inspirational Varsity Runner:Patrick GomezVarsity Coaches Awards:Mike Bedard, Jesus GuzmanMost Valuable JV Runner:Dominic GallegosMost Inspirational JV Runner:Anthony MartinezJV Coaches Awards:Peter Newman, Nick VerdinState Finals Qualifier: Connor O’MalleyAll-Area HM: Connor O’MalleyGirls Varsity TennisCoach Barb Johnston18-7 (10-2)SEYL 2nd, Section Div. IIRunners-upMost Valuable Player:Abby WattenbargerMost Improved Player: Carly TuckerBob Lynn Sportsmanship Award:Carly TuckerAll-Area 2nd Team: Carly Tucker,Abby WattenbargerAll-Area HM: Zoe TuckerGirls JV Tennis:Coach Nathan Holmes19-1 (12-0)SEYL ChampionsCo-Most Valuable Players:Danielle Humphrey, Mia JanninoCoaches Award: Lisa SoperJV Football:Coach Andy Coyle1-9 (1-5)Co-Most Valuable Players: PhillipAnspach, Zack WellsCoaches Award: Emmanuel MachadoFrosh Football:Coach Ben Ansolabehere4-6 (1-5)Most Valuable Players:Nick VehlewaldMost Inspirational Player:Patrick HellmanMost Improved Player:Gustavo AmarillasGirls Cross-Country:Coaches Susan Walker & MarkBrownSEYL 5th, Section Div. IV 8thMost Valuable Runner:Monica GuzmanCo-Most Inspirational Runners:Sammie Lombardo, Tammy VuCo-Most Improved Runners:Gabby Ortiz, Lizbeth LopezCoaches Award: Lauren BrownState Finals Qualifier:Monica GuzmanAll-Area 1st Team: Monica Guzman3

From the Acting Principal's Desk"The number one indicator of successfor a child is a good relationship with acaring adult." -Fortune MagazineOn behalf of the Garces Memorial HighSchool administration, faculty and staff,we want to thank you for your wonderfulsupport and encouragement this school yearin our partnership to educate your sons anddaughters. To quote from Woodrow Wilson,twenty-eighth President of the United States,“I not only use all the brains I have, but all Ican borrow.” To that end in addition to yoursupport, I am blessed to work at Garces with astaff of caring people who honestly expect thebest from your sons and daughters and makeevery effort to provide them with a safe andhealthy learning environment.I had the pleasure of participating in our recentSenior Retreat and our student’s inter-actionswere a clear indication of how they have grownboth spiritually and socially. They have comea long way from that first day they stepped onthe Garces campus four short years ago. I trulybelieve that your efforts away from school,reinforced by those of Campus Ministry and theTheology Department are having a tremendousimpact and doing a great job in their overalllearning and growth! To have every memberof the Garces Memorial community exhibitrespect, integrity, compassion, and courageof faith is clearly at the forefront of whom weare and who we want to be.Garces will host the “visiting accreditingcommittee” for our WASC/WCEA reviewthe week of February 26th. The WASC/WCEA process provides certification to thepublic and academic community that Garcesis a trustworthy institution of learning andvalidates the integrity of a school’s programand student transcripts. It is also an invaluableexperience for the participating school as itprovides opportunities for introspection andgrowth that foster improvement of the school’sprograms and operations to support studentlearning and a way to manage change throughregular assessment, planning, implementing,monitoring and reassessment. I want toespecially thank our team leaders, Mark Detloff,Jennifer Kloock, and Steve Garcia who spentmany long nights and weekends drafting andpreparing our effective self-study review for useby the accrediting committee during their visit.I once again take great pride in being able to sharewith you just a few of the wonderful deeds thatour students, faculty and staff are accomplishing.Our students continue to perform exceptionallywell in academics, with several students beingaccepted in one of their university of choice’searly action programs and several others scoringexceedingly well on academic achievementtests. Our winter athletics and many other extracurricularactivities are well underway continuingthe successful legacy of past Garces teams. Iwould be remiss, however, not to recognize ourgirl’s volleyball team from this fall and theiroutstanding coach, Kim Harper, for their hustleand effort in winning the Valley Championship.Kim was also recognized by the BakersfieldCalifornian as volleyball Coach of the Year. Itwasn’t that long ago that Kim was a student hereat Garces.All our teams continue to represent you and theGarces community exceedingly well as Garcesmoves up in competition during the playoffs.Congratulations and a well deserved break, wellmaybe just a shortened one, to both our AthleticDirectors, Vince Fanucchi and Lela Steiber, alongwith Gino Lacava and our other coaches foronce again coordinating and hosting the highlysuccessful Garces Soccer Classic and Boys andGirls Basketball tournaments. It seems thenumber of teams participating in each tournamentcontinues to increase each year, which is a verypositive reflection on their efforts and in turnGarces Memorial High School. If you haven’t yethad the opportunity, please come join Garces newcheerleaders and our own Hurricane in cheeringour teams onward to victory. Win or lose, theireffort is always outstanding. I also want to thankall our fans and supporters for their continuedupbeat and constructive cheering of both ourteams and their opponents at all Garces events.Your positive involvement and participationcontinues to cause well deserved envy among allthe many schools we participate against.By Kathleen B. BearsActing Principalkbears@garces.orgI continue to see how our students are veryactive in their community service projects,such as the unexpectedly large turnout ofstudents early on that foggy Saturday after finalexams and their open sharing of Christmasspirit and cheer with youngsters less fortunate.Monsignor Leddy Hall was filled from wallto wall that day with tiny glowing smiles andjolly red faces. Their enthusiasm and effortin any activity they choose to participate in istruly inspiring. They are also very involvedand critical to the success of one of our majorfund raising activities, Garces Gala. I’msure you’ve been ask to join the competitionand help them get that “lazy” “hurricane” orpajama” dress day or the even more desirable“day off” from school. It’s a fun way to helpsupport the school financially. Formal Galanight is March 14th, followed by Casual Galanight on March 20th. I hope to see you all thereat one of the fun filled nights. It’s a great timeto shake off those winter doldrums and relaxand have a pleasant evening with friends andthe Garces family and if you want, rub elbowsas you try and be the last bid on one of themany items being auctioned that night.Spring is just around the corner with growingthoughts of graduation parties and/or tripsplanned. It is a time of well deservedcelebration and recognition of the hard work byyour sons and daughters and also yourselves,for your conscientious efforts over theirpast four years at Garces. We continue topersuade and convince our students to conductthemselves maturely and responsibly. Yourassistance in this area helps us tremendously.Please take some time to discuss this withyour sons and daughters as we both help themlearn to make wise choices. Thank you foryour additional guidance and assistance inthis matter. We are looking forward to seeingmany of you at our Gala or one of the manyspring extra-curricular student activities hereat Garces Memorial High School!God bless you, your sons and daughters andyour entire family this day, and every dayFrom the President continued from Page 1capital campaign will address the physical andeducational growth of our school. As we beginthe public phase of the campaign in February,you will be receiving information about thisexciting and crucial endeavor. You will beasked to support this campaign financially. Iask that you take the opportunity to study thematerial, and when contacted, support the driveas generously as possible. With questions,please contact Ms. Tonya Abbott (Directorof Advancement), at 327-2578, ext. 118. Youmay also contact me at 327-2578, ext. 116.www.garces.orgAnd finally, I am very excited about the qualityof the applicant pool for the Class of 2013. Iwant to thank the Admissions team for theconscientious and thorough attention given tothis year’s admissions campaign. Through theirefforts and with the enthusiastic support andcooperation of our local parish pastors: Msgr.Michael Braun (Our Lady of Perpetual Help),Fr. Carlos Esquivel (Our Lady of Guadalupe),Msgr. Stephen Frost (Christ the King), Msgr.Craig Harrison (St. Francis), Msgr. RonaldSwett (St. Philip’s), and Father Miguel Flores(St. Joseph’s), along with their grammarschool administration and staff and theirC.C.D. and Youth Coordinators, we wereable to reach out to every Catholic family inthe community. Letters of acceptance will bemailed in early March. Those admitted, alongwith their parents, will be expected to attend anOrientation/Registration Meeting on Monday,March 16, 2009, at 6:30 p.m., in MonsignorLeddy Hall.Thank you so very much and God bless you.

Academic NewsBy Kathleen BearsAssistant Principal for Academic Affairskbears@garces.orgThe second semester is off to a good start.It is hard to believe that Lent and Easter areright around the corner. As Spring feversets in, please encourage your student tocontinue their hard work.First Semester GradesIf your student received a grade of D orF in any class, please call your student’scounselor to discuss enrollment in summerschool at Garces Memorial to validate thegrade. All grades of “F” must be remediatedin summer school. While a grade of “D” ispassing and does not require remediation,most colleges and universities will notaccept a “D.”(Mrs. Limi A - F, Mr. West G - M, Mrs. LopezN -Z)Second Semester GradesProgress ReportsYou can expect the first progress report tobe mailed the week of February 10 and themid term progress reports to be mailed inDean's NotesStudent DriversAs 16th birthdays come around we generallyhave a new batch of student drivers. Pleaseremind your sons and daughters that allstudent drivers are expected to park theirvehicle in the student lot and that parkingpasses (available for $20 in the businessoffice) are required. Naturally, the rules ofthe road apply on school property and will befairly enforced including statutes regardingcell phone use and underage passengers.Please join us in encouraging your childrento keep this as safe a campus as possible.Student Handbook ChangesWe are busy making preparations forthe next academic year and I value yourthoughts on the school’s discipline policies.Please contact me so that the AdministrativeTeam may consider your input before wemake our final decision on these policiesfor next year. The Administrative team willfinalize the handbook by mid-April so pleaseemail me, leave me a message or drop bymy office any time between now and then.Attendance LimitsGarces Memorial limits the number ofabsences (unexcused AND excused) astudent may have in any given class. Thefrequency and pattern of the absences areboth significant factors but as a guideline,any student who misses more than ten classmeetings per semester has put themselvesat risk of losing credit in that class. Thesepolicies are intended to prevent studentsfrom missing school for frivolous or arbitrarymid March. The third progress report of thesemester will be mailed the third week in April.Please contact your student’s teacher if youhave any questions or concern’s regardingyour student’s academic progress.SeniorsAs a reminder, seniors must pass all secondsemester courses with a D- or better (60%)in order to participate in all graduationceremonies. There is a mandatory seniorparent meeting concerning Graduation onApril 16th at 7 pm in Monsignor Leddy hall.JuniorsThe counselors will be scheduling meetingswith juniors and their parents to discusscollege plans. Look at the school calendarand begin making plans to take the SATand ACT. Students can increase theirscores by studying for these very importantstandardized tests. All juniors should beusing our on-line program to practice forthe SAT.Mike SusankDean of Studentsmsusank@garces.orgreasons. In cases of documented medicalnecessity and other extreme circumstancesthe school will work with parents to createreasonable academic expectations thatcan be completed as their child is awayfrom campus. The policies are outlined indetail on pages 68 and 69 of the StudentHandbook. If you receive a letter alertingyou to a high number of absences (usuallywhen a student reaches four) please donot be alarmed but make appropriateadjustments so that your student doesnot put themselves at risk of losing credit.Please contact the Dean’s Office if there areany questions.Junior/Senior PromI know the Winter Formal just passedbut already a wonderful evening is beingplanned for this year’s Junior/Senior Promat Seven Oaks Country Club. In the interestof continuing the tradition of making this awholesome event please make sure yoursons or daughters are appropriately dressedfor the occasion. A dress shirt with a tie,slacks, and dress shoes is appropriate foryoung men and a formal dress which covers“armpits to knees” and dress shoes wouldbe appropriate for young ladies. If there isany question about the appropriateness ofan outfit please contact my office beforeremoving the tags. Any parents interestedin chaperoning please contact Mrs. AnneStyles. We would love to have you there forthe evening or even just for a dance.RegistrationRegistration for the 2009-10 AcademicYear begins in February. Please contactyour student’s counselor if you have anyquestions or concerns. Approval from yourstudent’s counselor is required if your studentplans to take a 10 unit course in summerschool.Orientation/Registration forClass of 2013We are still accepting applications for theclass of 2013. Acceptance letters will bemailed out the first week in March.All incoming freshmen and their parentsmust attend this mandatory meeting held inMsgr. Leddy Hall, Monday, March 16th, at6:30 p.m. Information regarding registration,challenge exams and summer school will bediscussed.Summer 2009 atGarces Memorial*IMPORTANT DATES*RegistrationMarch 16 – May 8, 2009Classes Begin for10 Unit CoursesJune 8, 2009Classes Beginfor all other CoursesJune 9, 2009First Semester ExamsJune 23, 2009Second Semester BeginsJune 24, 2009Summer HolidayJuly 3, 2009Last Day of Regular SessionJuly 9, 2009Last Day of School for10 Unit ClassesJuly 10, 2009Senior/Summer Trips“The End is Near!” Summer is just aroundthe corner and many vacation plans arealready being made. This is a reminderthat Garces Memorial High School does notsponsor, endorse or encourage any “senior”trips. The school also does not sanctiontrips organized by Garces Faculty members.These trips are organized independently andare not, in any way school affiliated. Theschool assumes no responsibility or liabilityfor “senior” or summer trips.5

Parent Club CornerThe Garces Parent Club Board Memberswould like to congratulate all of the fall andwinter sports teams, fine arts students,speech and debate team, mock trial, andcheerleading teams that have performedoutstandingly these past months.With a new season, comes a new set ofduties. We may buy a card for Valentine’sDay, or get ready for Lent and the Blessedtime of Easter. We all keep up as best wecan. Garces has many events coming up,and we need your help. So, if you havesome extra time, I invite you to come andvolunteer within the Garces Community.While not all events may be of interest toyou, I’m sure that one may be just the rightfit! We are asking for your help in manydifferent areas. The Garces Formal Gala(March 14, 2009) and Casual Night Galawww.garces.orgASB UpdateBy Anne Styles, Director of Activitiesastyles@garces.orgThis past weekend the Student Council hosted the Winter Formal,Space Odyssey 2009, in MLH. Over 420 students attend theevent. A great time was enjoyed by all! This year’ s Formalqueen is Jenna Bowman and the king is Andrew Fanucchi.Congratulations Jenna and Andrew!This year because of the block schedule we were not able tohost a blood drive on campus. Remember any time you giveblood at a Houchin Blood Bank location please ask them to creditGarces Memorial High School. We are in a competition throughthe end of the school year with the other local high schools. Didyou know that only 3% of the adults who can give blood in KernCounty actually donate?The student council officers are busy putting together hygienekits for the homeless. If you would like to make a donation ofshampoo, soap, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes or anythingelse you think we could use we will be happy to include any itemsin our hygiene kits.The junior class is busy preparing for the Junior-Senior Prom,A Night to Remember to be held Saturday, April 25 at SevenOaks Country Club, from 6:00 pm until 10:30 pm. This year thestudents are working hard at fund-raising to help off-set theircosts, please support them whenever possible. The class officershave many exciting ideas planned for the evening from food todecorations. If you would like to help in any way please contactMrs. Styles. We’d love the help!The voting for ASB elections will open Tuesday, March 10 andclose on Friday, March 13 please encourage your child to votethrough the Naviance connection. ASB election packets will beavailable February 23 with all paper work due March 2, 2009.The voting for the Class elections will open on Monday, March30 and will close on Friday, April 3. Class election packets will beavailable Friday, March 13 with all paper work due Friday, March20. Student government is an excellent way to get involved atGMHS. See Mrs. Styles for election information.(March 20, 2009) are being finalized, pleasecontact Desiree Adams at ext. 122 if you areinterested. The Garces Renovation Team(GRT) is gearing up to make some estheticchanges on the campus. The CampusSpiritual Support Team (CSST) is gatheringmomentum to have parents take an activerole in assisting the school wide communityservice projects, assisting students withspecial events, and an Altar Society. Pleasecontact me at jnsmarchesini@bak.rr.com or872-5830 if you are interested.Come to a Parent Club Meeting! Our nextmeeting is April 23, 2009. Monsignor CraigHarrison will be speaking on, “Courage ofFaith” at 6:30 p.m.The senior rep parents, led by Beth Berchtoldand Silvia Vargas, have started planning forBy Susie Marchesini, Presidentthe Senior Fling (the “all-nighter” postgraduation party). Senior parents will beasked for gifts, money and help for theevening on May 19th.Let’s get together and have some fun!The friendships that we make throughvolunteer work are some that can lasta lifetime. “If you keep something foryourself, it decays. If you give it away, itblossoms.” Uganda ProverbCheck out the Garces website for up-todateevents and competition schedules.FROM THEBUSINESS OFFICEPat EdgerleControllerpedgerle@garces.orgTUITION IS DUE IN FULL BYMAY 10, 2009 -- FOR ALL STUDENTSTUITIONTuition payments are due on or before the 10th of everymonth in order to avoid the late payment penalty of 10%on the total amount due. Timely tuition payments are verymuch appreciated!! Please do not include donations orpledge payments with tuition. These donations should bepaid separately.Tuition and budgets for the 2009-2010 academic yearwill be determined by mid-April at the April School Boardmeeting. Notification of the tuition amount for 2009-2010, Tuition Contracts and Catholic Verification Forms(if applicable) will be mailed out to every family by May1, 2009.Tuition for senior students must be paid in full no laterthan May 10, 2009 in order for the student to participatein graduation ceremonies.FINANCIAL AIDFinancial aid applications for the 2009-2010 academicyear are due by February 3, 2009. Applications must besubmitted each year, regardless of whether or not aidwas awarded in prior years. Financial aid awards arenot automatically renewed. Late applications will not beaccepted. Award letters will be mailed in late March orearly April. If financial aid is granted, the parent(s) andstudent(s) must sign and return the award letter by theend of April. Failure to do so will result in your financialaid being withdrawn.

Counseling ReportBy Greg West '95Director of Counselinggwest@garces.orgHello parents and students. It is hardto believe that half of our academicschool year is over and we are movingrapidly through our second semester.There are several important dates anddeadlines coming up for your students,so please make note of them.REGISTRATIONThe counselors will be in your student’sscience class the week of February10th, to begin the registration processfor next year. Each student was shownhow to access the online registrationsite (Family Connection). Please notethat requests are not valid until theparent sign-off sheet is returned to yourstudent’s counselor. If you have notseen and signed off on your student’srequests for next year, please call yourstudent’s counselor immediately.SEMESTER GRADESIf your student received a “D” or “F”in any course, for the semester, theywill need to remediate (make-up)that course during summer school.Contact your student’s counselor forassistance.FREE APPLICATION for FEDERALSTUDENT AID (FAFSA).This is a very important time for thoseseeking college financial aid for the2009 – 2010 academic year. TheFAFSA forms are available on-line atJUNIORSEvery junior student should takeat least one SAT and ACT by theend of his or her junior year. Allstudents should have met with theircounselor to discuss when to takeand strategies for taking the SATand ACT. Please contact yourstudent’s counselor if he or she hasyet to have a meeting.Upcoming Test Dates:SAT: March 14, May 2, andJune 6 (Students should take SubjectTests on this day)ACT: Feb. 7, April 4 and June 13www.fasfa.ed.gov. All colleges require aFAFSA form for students to be eligiblefor financial aid, including school andfederal grants, scholarships, subsidizedloans and work-study. Priority filing datesare from Jan. 1, 2009 to March 2, 2009.If a student wishes priority considerationfor financial aid, the FAFSA form mustbe in by March 2. Some schools willrequire financial aid forms to be filedbefore the March 2 deadline (as earlyas mid January!!). It is important tocheck with each college’s financial aidoffice for deadlines. Students submittingapplications after March 2 cannot beguaranteed financial aid. To expeditethe processing of your application fileon-line at www.fasfa.ed.gov.CSS PROFILESome colleges have separate financialaid applications to complete and returnto the school directly. More often, ageneral form, the CSS PROFILE,published by the College ScholarshipService at www.collegeboard.com isrequired. Students should check witheach college’s financial aid office todetermine if they require the PROFILEor other documentation.CAL GRANT/GRADE POINT AVERAGEVERIFICATION FORMIn addition to the FAFSA, seniors mustalso file a Grade Point Average (GPA)Verification Form. Students planning onattending college in California shouldpick up this form from their counselor.The top portion of this form should befilled out completely by the student, andthen returned to the counselor so thatthe high school GPA can be verified.Remember, the GPA is calculated ona 4.0 (non-weighted) scale using allacademic course work for the sophomoreand junior years only. Extra weighting willnot be given for honors and advancedplacement classes. Using this system,GPA’s are often lower than what islisted on a senior transcript. After thecounselor has verified the GPA, studentsshould pick up their forms and mail themto the Student Aid Commission. Thefiling deadline for a Cal Grant is March2, 2009, and no late applications areconsidered.MONEY FOR COLLEGE!!!A variety of scholarship opportunitiesare available on the Family Connectionwebsite including: essay contests;academic achievements; culture &ethnicity; and college major interests.Each scholarship has an applicationand a deadline. In addition to our list,students can go to FASTWEB.com orscholarships.com for more opportunities.The money is available but the studentmust apply.JUNIOR COLLEGE ADVISINGThe Counselors will be hosting a CollegeInformation Night for Juniors on Feb.4th at 6:30 in MLH. Individual meetingswill also be scheduled with juniorstudents and their parents to discussthe importance of taking the SAT/ACT,GPA/class rank, how to apply to college,summer enrichment, community serviceand extracurricular activities. Thesediscussions are geared to motivatestudents to look at all college options.Other important details regarding nextsteps for college planning will also beoutlined. Parents are invited to attendthe meeting and may call to rescheduleif the meeting time is not convenient. Ifyou have any questions please contactyour student’s counselor: A-F, Ms. Limi;G-M, Mr. West; N-Z, Ms. Lopez.AP EXAMSTest Dates: May 4th-15, 2009Each exam costs $86.00. Studentsmust register (pay their fee) by Friday,March 20, 2009. Late registration willnot be accepted! Payment is madein the Business Office located in theAdministration building. Please makeyour check payable to Garces MemorialHigh School.The counselors will visit classes toexplain to the students the AP testingprocedure. They will also be given ahandout from the College Board withimportant dates and procedures. Ifyou have questions, please contactyour student’s counselor or go to www.collegeboard.com, the AP testing link.Continued on Page 87

Garces Memorial’s Eighteenth SummerSchool Session will be June 8 - July 10,2009. During these five weeks, studentshave the opportunity to enroll in both full yearand semester courses for high school credit,as well as courses which are either remedialor enrichment based. All ten-unit coursesare scheduled to run from June 8 - July 10,from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.Summer Session 2009 is open to studentsentering fifth through twelfth grades.Applications and brochures will be availablein the Main Office and on the GarcesMemorial website March 16. For incomingfreshmen, summer school packets aremailed with notification of acceptance. Ifyou have any questions, concerns, orsuggestions, please contact Mrs. Annewww.garces.orgSummer SchoolInformationBy Anne Styles, Director of Summer Schoolastyles@garces.orgE. Styles, Director of Summer School, at327-2578, ext. 104, Mrs. Joan Richardson,Assistant, at 327-2578, ext. 109 or Mrs.Sherry Hylton at 327-2579.Returning students should also consult withMs. Denise Limi ‘88, Mrs. Dani Lopez, orMr. Greg West ’95 for guidance with courseselections. There are many opportunitiesto enrich the academic experience. Alsocurrent students who received a failing grade(grade of a “D” or “F”) should meet with theircounselor to review course offerings in thesummer program.Students who wish to make room in their fallschedule for Advanced Placement coursesor other electives have the option of takingArt, Economics/Government, U.S. History,The Garces Fine Arts ProgramWinter PerformancesWinter Band ConcertWednesday, February 117:00 p.m. inMonsignor Leddy HallGarces Players PresentWilliam Shakespeare’sThe TempestShowdates:Thursday, February 19, 3:30 p.m.Friday, February 20, 7:00 p.m.Saturday, February 21, 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.All shows in Monsignor Leddy HallJazz Percussion ConcertWednesday, March 117:00 p.m. in the Music RoomDance RecitalTuesday, March 246:30 p.m. in the GymWorld History, Geometry, Physical Educationor Health/Computers during summer school.Students will also have the opportunityto remediate Chemistry, Spanish I or II,Theology, English, Geometry, Physics orAlgebra II, if necessary. Students enrolledin the Music program need to consult withtheir counselors before enrolling in summerschool.Besides the academic and SummerReading courses, we will also offer manyelective courses in Athletics, Journalism,Photography, Forensics, and Music. Again,please call the school if you desire additionalinformation.CongratuationsMock Trial Teamfor Winning County!Best of luck as youmove on to theState CompetitioninMarch!Counseling...continued from Page 7TUTORINGIt is recommended that those students lookingfor a tutor to see the instructor of the subjectfirst for extra help. It is often easier for theclassroom instructor to help the student as theinstructor knows the student’s work habits, testperformance and areas of difficulty. All of ourinstructors are available during collaboration, andeither before or after school for help. If you dodecide to hire a tutor, please be sure to inform theteacher and have the tutor contact the instructorabout assignments, test performance and areasof concern.

CAMPUSMINISTRYBy Susan RizoDirector of Campus Ministrysrizo@garces.orgCatholic Youth DayCampus Ministry is sponsoring a trip down to Anaheimfor Catholic Youth Day on February 26. This is anexciting day with inspirational speakers, music, youthmass, and a rally. The cost of the trip is $45.00 whichincludes the student’s transportation and registrationfor Youth Day. Students can pick up a permissionslip in the Campus Ministry Office. The deadline forsign-ups is Friday, February 13. For more informationcontact Susan Rizo in the Campus Ministry Office327-2578 x185 or srizo@garces.org.Special People Play DayGarces Memorial High School will once again sponsorour 15th annual Special People Play Day Friday, April24, 2009. We will be on a minimum day schedulewith the students being released at 12:00 p.m. Wewill have over 500 special education students asour guests. Our students will be paired with specialeducation students for activities throughout themorning. It will be a fantastic day for all involved!!Dime-A-Day Lenten CollectionCampus Ministry will once again be sponsoringour Dime-A-Day collection through the Lentenseason. Money collected will be donated to a needyorganization. In the past we have sent moneyoverseas and helped with projects here in the states.Last year we donated money to our local St. Vincentde Paul Center on Baker Street.Community Service HoursParents should receive an update of all service hoursin the next two weeks. Please check over theseservice hour updates to make sure that all paperworkhas been submitted. Reminder - All freshmen,sophomore, and junior students need to completeat least 15 hours of community service each yearin any three areas: school, parish or community.Seniors need to have all 40 hours completed andturned into Mrs. Rosanne Chavez by Thursday, May14, in order to participate in graduating ceremonies.All service hour forms need to be completely filledout with a signature from a supervisor that verifiesthe hours that are submitted. For questions contactour service hours coordinator, Rosanne Chavez at327-2578 x191.Chaplain's CornerBy Father Jim LaCasse, S.J.jlacasse@garces.orgThis is a good news/bad news message.First the bad news. The new chapel is not yet finished.Now for the good news. The stained glass windows, altar, ambo, andtabernacle will be delivered the third week of February. The scheduledcompletion is the end of February. I keep looking to see if eachday there is more completed. In that area, preliminary plans are beingmade to have the Lenten Reconciliation Services for all studentsin the new chapel. John Fanucchi has asked me to have it open forview on the evenings of both Galas. I will be happy to show it off.We will have an all school Mass on Ash Wednesday and thatwill be at the same time as our WASC visitation; so our Rector,Monsignor Braun will be the principle celebrant. The MarchAll School Mass will be on March 26, and we hope to haveall three of our new Bakersfield Monsignors present as celebrantsand to explain to our students what the honor is all about.OLPH Mardi Gras CelebrationSunday, February 15thfrom 12 Noon to 7 P.M.at the Kern County FairgroundsGood food, entertainment, and games for the entire family.New York Steak Dinner served from 3:20 P.M. to 6 P.M.Free Parking and Free AdmissionSt. Francis Parish School100th CelebrationAttention alumni of St. Francis School.We are celebrating our 100thanniversary during the 2009-2010 school year!Please call the school at (661)326-7955 and registerto be on our mailing list and receive invitations toall our exciting events!Upcoming Service Hour Opportunities:WarmLine “Luau”, Friday, February 13th from 5:30pm - 11:00pmat Coconut Joe’s Private Beach Club.Theta Tau Theta “Crab Feed” for the Diabetic Youth Foundation,Saturday, February 28th 5:30pm – 10:30pm at the Masonic TemplePlease have your students sign up in the College Center.9

www.garces.orgAdvancement Department UpdateBy Tonya Abbott - Director of Advancementtabbott@garces.orgThere is a Swimming Pool & Tennis Courts in Our Future!Phase II of Fund the Future, a Garces Memorial High School Campaign for Excellence in Catholic Education is wellunderway and we anticipate that we will begin the public phase of our campaign this month. During the public phaseyou will hear more about the plans for the overall campus expansion with the emphasis on the current need for fundingfor Phase II - tennis courts, an aquatic center, and a faculty endowment. With the exception of BCHS, we are the onlyhigh school without tennis courts. Our students never have the home court advantage and have to travel for every practiceand every match. It's time to change that. Although a swimming pool is a big investment, student safety trumpsthe economy. Over one-third of our student population is involved in a sport that requires them to travel to a local parkthat is in a questionable part of town and we need to do what we can to ensure that they have a safer place to practiceand compete. A faculty endowment is long in coming. We believe that once our parents, alumni, and supporters learnmore about Phase II, we will all rally around and make it a reality sooner than later. For those of you who have alreadydonated to Phase II - thank you for your support. For those of you who are still waiting for more information you'llhear from us soon!We Need Gala Auction Items!We Need Volunteers for Gala!Do you have some time you can donate to help out with Gala?A few hours? A couple of days? An entire week?We need help setting up both events and welcome new and returningparents to come and get involved in a great event for our school.If you donated an auction item in the past, please donate again this year.Formal Night Volunteer Week: March 9th - March 14thCasual Night Volunteer Week: March 16th - March 20thIf you are new to Garces, or have not donated in the past, please considerbecoming part of the Gala and donating to one of the most importantfund-raising events for our school.We will have both a live auction and a silent auction atFormal Night on March 14th and at Casual Night on March 20th.Your Support is Vital to Our Success.Garces Gala UpdateBy Desireé Adams - Special Events Coordinator - (661) 327-2578 ext. 122 or dadams@garces.orgTreasure Chest Tickets are still available. Forms are available on the Garces websiteat www.garces.org or in the office at Garces Memorial.Please contact:Pam Alvarez, Gala Procurement Chair at (661) 978-8006.(Items with a value of $50 or more please.)

Please Join Us For This Special Event.FORMAL NIGHTSaturdayMarch 14, 20095:30 - 11:00 p.m.Monsignor Leddy Hall$125 per PersonReservation OnlyGourmet DinnerWine AuctionLive AuctionSilent AuctionDancingCo-Chairs:Janette Sills &Jacqueline SaccoBellaSeraGARCESGALAXXXFor Ticket Information & Reservations call 327-2578 ext. 122(21 & Older Only Please)CASUAL NIGHTFridayMarch 20, 20096:00 - 11:00 p.m.Monsignor Leddy Hall$15 per PersonTickets Available atthe DoorItalian DinnerReverse DrawLive AuctionSilent AuctionDancingCo-Chairs:Cathi Stier &Konni OllivierBella Sera, Garces Gala XXX, is the one party you don’t want to miss!On Formal Night, from the moment you walk into the room, you will see changes that will make this year’s Galastand out as it promises to be a delightful, memorable and an enchanting evening for all!• You will be greeted at the door and escorted to your table with a new seating style you’re sure to love.• For those who wish to enhance the wine on your table, the silent wine auction will surely tempt you.• Delicious appetizers, wonderful cocktails, and a fabulous gourmet Italian dinner will be served by Garces alumnaLisa Borda and her amazing staff from Bord A' Petite Catering.• Of course it wouldn’t be Gala without our awesome live and silent auction items. Come out and bid on fabulousdinners, weekend getaways, shopping sprees, and of course, the ever popular one-of-a-kind Garces items.• Joining “Emcee Extraordinaire” Jim Sakowski this year as the Masters of Ceremonies are the witty andhumorous Scott Winkler and Paul Pavletich. Thomas Chafin will join in as the auctioneer for the evening.• And just when you think the party’s over...we will "raise the roof" dancing to the sounds of "Thee Majestics."Great tunes, great friends, great fun!Casual Night is absolutely the place to be a for another fun-filled evening with it’s own changes in store!• We are moving from the gym to Monsignor Leddy Hall and serving an Italian style pasta dinner.• As always on Casual Night you will find auction items that are unique to Garces. From quilts made of Garcesfabrics, dinners and parties hosted by Garces parents, unique gifts, to handmade crosses by our very own artstudents - you will want to be part of the bidding wars during the live and silent auctions.• Our new Treasure Chest reverse drawing will have four winners this year - for a maximum of $20,000!!!! Ticketsare available by calling (661) 327-2578 ext. 122.• Once the auctions are over, DJ Ed Hayes will take it up a notch and the dance floor will be rock’n and roll’n. Itwill be the perfect place to meet up with old friends and make new ones.So if you’ve never been to Gala, or go every year, you don’t want to miss this one!Call 327-2578 ext. 122 for tickets.11

Garces Memorial High School2800 Loma Linda DriveBakersfield, California 93305Return Service RequestedNon-Profit OrganizationU.S. PostagePAIDBakersfield, CaliforniaPermit No. 617February3 Financial Aid Packets Due4 College Advising Nightfor Juniors6:30 p.m. - MLH5 & 6 Junior Retreat7 ACTNot At Garces9 President's HolidayNo School/Office Closed10 Executive Committee Mtg.12:00 noon - Board Room11 Winter Band Concert7:00 p.m. - MLH16 President's HolidayNo School/Office Closed17 Leadership Lunch18 Board Meeting5:30 p.m. - Library19 - 21 Winter Play Performances23 ASB Election Packets AvailableCALENDAR23-25 WASC Visitation25 Ash Wednesday Mass9:40 a.m. - Gym26 Catholic Youth Day in Anaheim27 Gala HolidayNo School/Office ClosedMarch2 ASB Election Packets Due5 ASB Candidate Meeting at lunch7 Diocesan Academic DecathlonGarces Gym8 Daylight Savings Time10 ASB Elections Voting OpensExecutive Committee Mtg.12:00 noon - Board Room11 Registration DeadlineMay 2 - SATJazz Percussion concert7:00 p.m. - in the Music Room13 ASB Elections Voting ClosedClass Election Packets Due14 Gala XXX - Formal NightMLH16 Freshman Orientation NightClass of 2013MLH & GymSummer School ApplicationsAvailable in the Main Office18 Board Meeting5:30 - Library20 Gala XXX - Casual NightMLH24 Fog Delay - W2Dance Recital6:30 p.m. - Gym26 All School Mass9:40 a.m. - Gym28 Incoming Freshman RegistrationDay - Room 3130 Class Election Weekwww.garces.org