1. Trivia Quiz
1.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.
2.
3.
4.
5. 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
6. • 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
7. • 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
8. was a firm believer in the importance of education!
Of his seven children:
•6 graduated from Sharyland High School
•4 earned college degrees
AND
His oldest child, Edelmiro, was the first Hispanic
to graduate from Sharyland High School
and was the valedictorian of the class of 1940.
9. 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
10. Sabas Ruiz, grandfather of Olivero Garza, Sr.,
operated the first river boat crossing at Los
Ebanos, TX beginning in 1899.
11. 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.
12. Olivero and Santos Garza’s
wedding picture, May 21, 1921
Undated picture of Olivero
and Santos Garza on the
grounds of the Shary Estate
16. Olivero and Santos with their first great grandchild, Sandra Garza,
at their home on Shary Road in December 1969
17. 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.
19. 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. Garza
Grandson of Olivero Garza, Sr.
21. 1996 Administrative staff:
Seated (l-r) Alma Zamora, assistant principal; Elizabeth
Garrett, Principal; (standing) William Baize, counselor;
Lee Bourg, counselor.
22. 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.
23. 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.
29. Trivia Quiz Answers
1.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.
