Thank You Mr. Garza!
By Shane Gil and Inaya Stojanovic Nov. 4, 2026
After four decades of meticulous care, early-morning routines and a constant, cheerful smile on campus, the school is bidding a fond farewell to a well-respected community-figure. Jerry Garza, longtime groundskeeper and an important figure in the school’s daily life, is stepping away from the campus.
As his legendary 40-year tenure comes to a close—with his final day on site having been Oct. 13—Garza leaves behind trimmed lawns and immaculate fields for all students and teachers to enjoy.
Born and raised in San Jose, Garza’s journey at the school began 40 years ago, when the minimum wage was just $3.25, which eventually rose to $27.54. Back when Garza started, maintaining the school’s fields was a grueling task; without modern riding lawnmowers, a vast majority of the groundskeeping had to be done completely by hand.
Garza’s day-to-day routine began before the sun even fully rose. To safely operate heavy machinery without students nearby, he used these early hours to pick up trash, mow the lawns and water the campus trees and bushes. With the morning safety window complete, his day consisted of lining athletic fields and fixing sprinklers.
“I love working in the morning, even though it is the busiest part of the day. The rest of the day is a piece of cake,” Garza said.
Operating largely behind the scenes, Garza carried out his demanding duties, ensuring the campus ran smoothly every day. School leadership placed immense trust in his judgement and dedication.
“He always asked football team if we were finished using the bathrooms before closing them. He is very compassionate, putting others before him when doing anything,” Sophomore Rayirth Dey said.
Faculty members remember him not just for his exceptional work ethic, but for his relaxed, uplifting personality.
“He always did his work with a cheerful attitude, always wanted to help people and it was never a bother or trouble,” Sandra Ro, Classified Staff, said.
As he enters retirement, Garza is looking forward to spending more time with his family, friends and outdoor passions. As an off-roading enthusiast, he plans to take his full-size Jeep rock crawling and ride his all-terrain vehicle (ATV) on trails. He is also joining a group of 19 retired friends to celebrate with a month-long ATV trip in Oregon. Reflecting on his incredible four decades at the school, Garza leaves with zero regrets.
“Mr. Garza always greeted me with a smile and made our days better. I wish him the best with his ATV experience, and we’ll miss having him at the school,” Junior Aidan Mansouri said.
Whether grabbing a Hershey’s Kiss from Karen Johnson, Classified Staff, during his morning stop, or exchanging lighthearted jokes with students, Garza approached every interaction with a smile.
Though he will no longer be seen maintaining the fields or greeting staff every morning, Garza hopes people will remember the care, precision and pride he poured into every bush, field and corner of the campus. The school offers a friendly farewell to Jerry Garza, a man who was dedicated to helping the school.
About the Contributors
Shane Gil
Staff Writer
Shane Gil is a sophomore at Leland High School and a Staff Writer, plays basketball watches tv shows and movies. When not sleeping he can be found hiking with friends, hanging out with friends, or practicing for track and field.
Inaya Stojanovic
Staff Writer
Inaya Stojanovic is a junior at Leland High School and a writer for The Charger Account. When not being in a pool 24/7 and playing waterpolo, she is reading dystopian books, going to the gym, shopping with her best friends, and buying new clothes.
Muqi Tian
Artist
Muqi Tian is a Sophmore at Leland High school, and is interested in writing a food review column for the Charger Account. She is usually found hidden in her house, either baking, drawing, reading or doing otaku activities.
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