olivero garza elementary

Trivia Quiz1.Where did Olivero Garza work for most of his life?2.How many children did he have?3.Olivero Garza strongly believed in the value of __________.4.What famous Valley landmark did Olivero Garza have a connection to?5.What sport can be played in the basement of the Shary Mansion?6.When did Garza Elementary open its doors?7.Why was the opening of Garza Elementary almost delayed?8.What was the last part of the school to be completed?9.How many principals has Garza had?10.How many staff members have been here since Garza opened ? Bonus points if you can name them.

My grandfather, OLIVERO GARZA, was one of my heroes. He moved to Sharyland in 1930 and lived at the same

residence until his death in 1981. My grandfather was a man of great courage, strong convictions, and Christian morals that wanted all his children and grandchildren to be good law-abiding citizens. He was a true example of the type person he wanted us all to be. Buelito, as most

of my generation knew him, was our hero and role model. He could do no wrong. He strongly encouraged

his four sons and three daughters to attain their education and to also encourage their children

to do the same.

Quoted from a nomination letter written by Olivero Garza III, June 7, 1996

• Born in San Miguel de Carmago, Tamaulipas on June 10, 1902

• Settled with his family in Los Ebanos, TX on May 13, 1913

• Rowed across the Rio Grande daily to attend school in San Margo de Carmago because there were no schools in Los Ebanos

• Learned to read, write, and converse in Spanish and English with little formal education

• Obtained a job cutting wood at the age of 16 with United Irrigation lift pump

• Married Santos Torres on May 21, 1921 in Mission, TX

• Worked and lived on the grounds of United Irrigation lift pump where five children were born to the couple

• Became caretaker and chauffeur for the John H. Shary family in 1931 and moved to the caretaker residence on the estate grounds where two more children were born

• Died in January 1981 and buried at Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetary on Taylor Road

was a firm believer in the importance of education!

Of his seven children:•6 graduated from Sharyland High School

•4 earned college degreesAND

His oldest child, Edelmiro, was the first Hispanic to graduate from Sharyland High School

and was the valedictorian of the class of 1940.

Of his 29 grandchildren:•11 graduated from Sharyland High School•17 graduated from other local high schools•25 earned degrees from various colleges,

universities, or trade schools

•12 in Education•5 in Business Administration

•1 in Engineering•4 in Medicine

•3 in various trade fields

Sabas Ruiz, grandfather of Olivero Garza, Sr., operated the first river boat crossing at Los

Ebanos, TX beginning in 1899.

Garza, with his wife Santos, and a grandson, at the dedication of the historical marker

at the Los Ebanos ferry crossing site in June of 1975.

Olivero and Santos Garza’s wedding picture, May 21, 1921

Undated picture of Olivero and Santos Garza on the

grounds of the Shary Estate

Olivero Garza, Sr. shown in the bowling alley of the Shary Estate.

Garza shown with his first grandson, Olivero Garza III, on the front porch of the family home

on Shary Road in August 1948

“Buelito” with four of his grandchildren in February 1968

Olivero and Santos with their first great grandchild, Sandra Garza, at their home on Shary Road in December 1969

Garza, and sons, Edelmiro and Arnoldo, and grandson, Arturo, hunting at the Shary Farm on the Rio Grande River

in the fall of 1980, shortly before his death.

Undated photo of the Olivero and Santos Garza family

Education, a strong family, and a loving, giving attitude is what Grandpa stood for. It is so appropriate to have a school named after Grandpa and in honoring him we will also be honoring Grandma Santos, the ultimate in loving and caring for all.

Gavino A. GarzaGrandson of Olivero Garza, Sr.

Under construction in the summer of 1996

1996 Administrative staff: Seated (l-r) Alma Zamora, assistant principal; Elizabeth Garrett, Principal; (standing) William Baize, counselor;

Lee Bourg, counselor.

Water lines were hooked up Monday evening before students started on Tuesday. During

inservice week, port-a-potties in the parking lot were used due to lack of working restrooms.

The gym was not finished and accepted until two weeks after school started. P.E. was held in

classrooms or outside for the first two weeks of school.

Past Principals

Elizabeth Garrett

Alma Zamora

Jim Smith

Rainer Clover

Current Principal

Janie M. Gomez

Craig Christensen

Melanie Christensen

Doreen Valadez

Mary Vega

Original Staff Members from 1996

Trivia Quiz Answers1.Olivero Garza, Sr. worked at the Shary Estate.2.He had seven children.3.He believed in the value of education.4.His grandfather was involved with the Los Ebanos ferry.5.There is a bowling alley in the basement of the mansion.6.Olivero Garza, Sr. Elementary opened in August of 1996.7.The water lines were not connected yet.8.The gym was not ready until two weeks after school started.9.There have been five principals at Olivero Garza, Sr. Elementary.10.Four staff members have been here since 1996, Craig Christensen, Melanie Christensen, Doreen Valadez, and Mary Vega.