www.masbakersfield.com

¡Feliciades to our Olivia Garcia!

larger view larger view larger view larger view larger view larger view larger view

In recognition of Olivia Garcia's recent promotion to vice president/content for The Bakersfield Californian and its subsidiary company, Mercado Nuevo (the publishing company of MÁS Magazine; The Bakersfield Voice; and Bakotopia), a special reception was held in her honor Thursday evening at Camino Real Restaurante.

The Kern County Hispanic Educators & Latina Leaders — along with many other well-wishers from Garcia's wide circle of friends and family — gathered to honor Garcia's numerous accomplishments, including her days as a young go-getter at Bakersfield College's Renegade Rip student newspaper; an award-winning reporter at The Bakersfield Californian; the editor of El Californio; and the managing editor, general manager and publisher at Mercado Nuevo.

Garcia also teaches journalism classes at Bakersfield College where she continues to inspire the next generation of reporters and editors.

She and her husband, Julio, are the proud parents of four boys: Diego, Mateo, Joaquin and Cruz.

Now, as a VP at The Californian, Garcia's role in the local journalism community will expand even further as she heads new efforts in the changing world of the newspaper industry.

Representatives from both the Hispanic Educators and Latina Leaders groups addressed the crowd, telling of their personal experiences with Garcia and expressing their gratitude to her for the positive influence she has had on the Latino community.

Several of Garcia's former teachers also spoke of the "fearless" student who went from South High School to BC and on to Fresno State University, but would return to her hometown where she has continually excelled.

Garcia was then presented with a special plaque to acknowledge her latest accomplishment.

Obviously touched by all the sentiments, Garcia gave an emotional thank-you speech of her own, crediting her family, friends and community for helping to shape her career.

Without their constant support over the years, Garcia said, her "doing it all" life could not be possible.