Correspondent: Jorge Barrientos
Sgt. at Arms: Ashley Vorhees
Invocation: John Schuler
Flag Salute: Juan Bustamante
Song: “America the Beautiful”, Ed Tomlinson
Roving Mic: Pete Pankey
SPOKE EDITOR PROFILE:
Jorge Barrientos is the director of marketing and public relations at Chain | Cohn | Clark law office. He serves on board of directors for a variety of community organizations including The Hub of Bakersfield, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (Kern County Chapter), and Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Business Education Foundation. When he’s not working or serving our community, you can find him traveling the world and hanging with his family, which includes wife Carla, 4-year-old son Julian, 2-year-old daughter Gianna Sol.
GUESTS:
- Steve Rodrigue with Kern High School District; Steve Lopez with Elite Homes (Kathy Scrivner)
- Jean Scheiber with Springstead Solutions; Maria Paine, Rose Charmly, Renee Massey, Chris, Chad Manning, Troy Fringer, George Hay, and John Hay with Jim Burke Ford (Joy Hay)
- Kamal Bhakta (Juan Bustamante)
- Charles Ernst and Jared Vegas with PSIS; Chad Vegas with Sovereign Grace Church (Jeff Gutierrez)
- Kenny Seals with Liberty High School (Bryon Schaefer)
- Luke Tomlinson with Capstone Partners (Jim Damian)
GOOD NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mike McCoy shared that the Native American Education Center at the Kern County Museum will open Saturday, Sept. 16. He also shared that an Italian house in Pumpkin Center will be transported to the museum soon.
Andrea Hanson shared that the National Dance Day celebration by the Kern Dance Alliance will be held 8:30am to 6pm on Saturday, Sept. 16, at Mechanics Bank Arena. Community classes and workshops are $5. Buy tickets at
kerndance.org/danceday.
Mike Willis reminded us that
Village Fest will be held Saturday, Sept. 9, at Kern County Museum, featuring 100 beers, 70 wines, unlimited food samples, and five stages of music. All proceeds benefit local children’s charities.
Amy Travis announced 25 First 5 Kern mini grants available for early education programs. Also, she has braces now.
Per President Joe Hay, you can support Maui fire recover through our Rotary district. See Mary of Joe for details.
Ashley Vorhees gave us an update on our partnership with Bakersfield High School’s Interact Club, and two upcoming fundraising events:
UPCOMING MEETINGS:
- Off-Site Meetings:
- Sept. 14: Stockdale CC
- Sept. 21: Dark, Margarita Party at the home of Lou & Cheryl Barbich
- Sept. 28: Stockdale CC
PROGRAM
Ken Beurmann introduced Bryan Nixon, head football coach for the state-champion Liberty High School. Nixon was a standout quarterback at Shafter High before leading Bakersfield College to two Potato Bowls and earning a scholarship to Montana State. In his 25+-year coaching career, he’s won back-to-back CIF Central Section D1 titles, coached two NFL quarterbacks (Cody Kessler and Jordan Love), a state Coach of the Year award, and of course the state champion last year. Additionally, Liberty High football has not lost to a Bakersfield team since 2017.
Nixon spoke about preparing for and executing a successful football season, and the impact of the program on youth in our community.
The culture of their football program, he said, is player-led, with players keeping their peers in check. Students learn that killers of the program include not trusting each other, gossiping, being selfish, and blaming others. “Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives.” Staff members learn to “coach ‘em hard, love ‘em harder.”
As for field preparation, players learn the game schedule, identify strengths and weaknesses, and get to know each other through bonding trips and games. During the off-season, work on strength and conditioning, bonding, accountability, and “how we can become one.” Players participate in the football program almost year-round and are encouraged to play other sports, as well.
Last year, nearly 200 student-athletes participating in the Liberty High football program had a combined GPA of 3.28. Asked how he keeps his positive outlook constant, Nixon said, “I don’t go to work every day. I love what I do.”
Nixon’s son, Jace, will be playing tight end at Fresno State.
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