Many tales have been spun about Louise Garces, current student conduct specialist and infamous bike rider. They range from action-packed tackle scenes to a penchant for camouflage. They even go as far as discussing the possibility of a twin lurking about the campus. Although highly amusing, these stories reveal little about the emotional impact Garces has on the students with whom she works.

Although her job requires her to supervise the school premises for trouble and investigate suspicious situations, much of Garces’s time is given to simply conversing with students. “If I don’t talk to the kids, they don’t get to know me and I don’t get to know them and that ruins our relationship,” said Garces.

This focus on relationship is what allows her to create an understanding with the students. “I think kids need to know who you are and what type of person you are so they can feel comfortable and at ease…and if they have problems that they know they have someone to ask for help,” she said.

Many students approach her about problems ranging from family issues to relationship problems. Garces said many students bring a lot of baggage from home, work and school with which they do not know how to deal. She said she sometimes just listens to the students, but also gives advice and suggestions from her own experiences. “I grew up in a drug and alcoholic family, so from those experiences I teach kids, especially the ones who are living in an environment at home that isn’t safe or is very abusive, how to deal and cope with that type of environment,” said Garces.

These experiences, combined with her ability to spot problems early on, allow her to handle situations before they become a major concern. Assistant principal Don Romeo said Louise seems to have a sixth sense when it comes to the students. “She can intuitively pick up on cues [from students]…and she’s able to [stop] those issues from becoming more intense,” he said.

This intuitive nature encourages students such as junior Elizabeth Mendoza, who has known Garces since her freshman year, to go to her constantly just to talk. Mendoza said she speaks with Garces during brunch, lunch or after school. She said she even speaks to her in the morning if its urgent and said talking to Garces has helped her. “Before when I didn’t talk to her that much, I had more problems than I do now,” she said.

Junior Maria Soto, who has also known Garces since her freshman year, said she goes to Garces for advice. When she first met Garces, Soto said she thought the conduct specialist was tough, but explained that Garces is there to help once you get to know her. “Once you get to know her, she [has] your back,” said Soto.

Mendoza and other students continue to go to Garces for advice. She even has parents that attended Homestead and knew Garces as teenagers, who come back and ask that she look out for their children. Through her experiences and time with students Garces realized that it is always nice to have someone to come and talk to. She said, “My office door is always open.”