This simple yet powerful quote represents all that our dear colleague, Beau Randles, embodied. Beau was a one of a kind soul who lived life to the fullest and was an inspiration to his community and BBB Team members. Unfortunately, he passed away suddenly in 2021. In his memory, BBB created the Beau Randles Scholarship, with monies raised at our annual Integrity Golf Classic. The scholarship is given to a student at Beau’s alma mater, Mater Dei High School, who makes a positive impact on the world around them, just as Beau did. To support this effort, visit venmo.com/bbbpacsw1.
Meet our inaugural Beau Randles Scholarship recipient, who in Beau fashion, represents unparalleled passion, dedication, and zest for life!
2023 Beau Randles Scholarship Recipient | Cristian “CJ” Garcia | Mater Dei High School
Embodying the spirit of Beau Randles, Cristian reflects on his transformative experiences throughout his time at Mater Dei, and how each presented an opportunity for growth and positivity.
While arriving as a freshman from a much smaller setting presented initial apprehension, he was excited about the fresh start. Involvement in numerous sports, camps, and the campus ministry eased his transition and deepened his connection to students and leaders at Mater Dei. The environment also provided a space for family bonding with his mother at Friday night football games, and later, being a part of the football program, which left a profound impact.
Ultimately, Cristian reflects on his purpose at Mater Dei, emphasizing personal growth, spiritual development, and a strong sense of belonging to the Mater Dei community. He shares his gratitude for the sacrifices his family made to support his education and conveys his deep appreciation for Mater Dei as a second home. As Beau would have cheered on, dive in wholeheartedly, keep what you cherish close, and the good will prevail.
2023 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
CRISTIAN “CJ” GARCIA | JUNIOR
MATER DEI HIGH SCHOOL
What can I say about my first two years at Mater Dei? They’ve been epic! Coming in as a freshman I knew a handful of people, which made the whole experience a bit easier and not so overwhelming. Prior to Mater Dei I attended a small charter school in Santa Ana, with only 75 students in my grade. The majority of us had been together since preschool, so starting fresh at a new school was a scary thought, but something I had looked forward to since I practically came out of the womb!
Having attended the JR Monarch program and the many years at soccer camp made the transition into Mater Dei that much easier. I entered this whole new world, with a small group of friends, and a black and white road map. I thought I knew all I needed to know and was going to hit the ground running. Boy was I wrong!
Freshman year was fun. Friday night lights and watching the football program win state was such an experience. Growing up with a single mom, that was our Friday night mother/son date nights. We would throw on our Mater Dei gear, pack a bag of snacks and head to Eddie West Field. We’d find our seats on the 30 yard line and cheer our hearts out. I always looked forward to Friday nights and thought it couldn’t get any better, but being at Mater Dei now as a student and watching my friends on that field took it to a whole other level! That MD Pride took a whole new meaning. And yes, my mom is still at every game cheering her hear out there on the side lines sitting at the 30 yard line. The only difference is now I sit in the student section, while she sits with my step dad and the football parents, and at the half, my friends and I all walk over so they can all say hello and give her hugs. Side note, we didn’t win state this year, but the experience of football season is still just as great!
Freshman year also included me making the soccer team, which was another childhood dream come true. The soccer camps in the summer at MD were the place to be. Training along side some of the students and getting to know the coaches made me feel part of the program before I ever was accepted into Mater Dei. Once on the team I worked hard and made it a new goal to make the Varsity team, which I was able to accomplish mid season. Traveling up North with the program and bonding with my “brothers” was the highlight of my freshman year. Now as a sophomore, I have made the varsity program yet again and have been selected into the leadership program on the team. I am listening and learning, so that I can become the best leader for this program that I can be. I do not take this task lightly and want to leave the program and the younger players in a better spot then when I got here.
Mrs. Steves!! Mrs. Steves is the reason I joined campus ministry. Her love of live and her love for Mater Dei is something I have never seen before! This year at the Anthony Barajas prayer service, Mrs. Steves donated dinner for the soccer program through the Helen Steves fund and shared her love for the Barajas family during the service. That love is something I want to carry for the Mater Dei community today and always. This is my family! And I am proud to be part of it!
Now honestly speaking, the academic side has been my greatest challenge. My grades aren’t horrible, but I know they can be so much better. My struggle is learning to now manage my time. Between sports, both at MD and outside of MD, an AP class, the travel out of state that comes with both sports programs, and having to now find time within my week to meet with teachers to make up tests and quizzes and to just get that extra tutoring for lessons that I’ve missed has been a challenge. My teachers are all great! They are always willing to work with me, so that I do not fall behind and understand my crazy sports schedule. This challenge though has taught me perseverance and discipline.
I know I can never give up and that I can’t fail with such a great team, both in the classroom and at home, supporting me. I’m becoming more discipline by taking better notes, paying attention to deadlines, and managing my time.
My purpose! I thought attending Mater Dei my purpose was to be this great soccer player, which would then lead into attending a D1 school. Half way through my sophomore year I’ve come to realize my purpose at Mater Dei is to become that man God put me here to be. I’ve grown spiritually by having a better understanding of my faith and its tradition of family. I’ve built this relationship with God where I can lean on Him and put my total trust. I know that if I do my part, God will always be there doing His part. I’ve also gotten to know people from different cultures and places. This has shaped my understanding of what other people go through and how they grow. Being at Mater Dei is shaping me into becoming the man God has placed me here to be, both mentally and spiritually.
Being a Monarch is one of the greatest joys to my family. My mom is a PROUD monarch! She admits to not taking full advantage of all that Mater Dei had to offer when she attended, so she pushes, I mean “encourages” me to attend every event and to just be “present.” She reminds me that my time here will fly by and she’s not lying! I can’t believe I’m half way through my sophomore year! Starting to with time would slow down just a bit because I am having the time of my life at MD! Growing up I heard stories from my uncles and several other relatives who all attending Mater Dei about how great of a school this place is and how the community of MD would stay with me the rest of my life. I know that my brothers on the field at Mater Dei have my best interest at heart at all times. I know that the teachers and staff are always there to support me. I know that the valet/security guards are always there to say “good morning” when I arrive with a smile and that there’s a cookie with my name all over it at lunch!! Mater Dei is a home away from home! I feel safe here! I have fun here! I learn here! And I have family here! I can’t imagine my life without Mater Dei. I thank God for this opportunity and I know how hard my family has worked to get me here. My mom and step-dad work tons of overtime, just to be able to add funds to my lunch account or to buy me any additional things I made need for school. I know my mom wishes she could have a nice car or go on actual vacations, but instead travel to see me play soccer and use their extra funds to support me here at Mater Dei. If I were to leave, I know we could do those family vacations, buy the new cars, have nicer things, and they wouldn’t have to work so much. I do not take this opportunity for granted and I give thanks for this blessing.