FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OLLs New Athletic Director Teaches Students How to Slow Down in a Fast-Paced World!
Media Contact: Lisa Morales, news@ollnet.com, 786.205.2838 Miami Lakes, FLOctober 1, 2012Students from Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic School learn the benefits of yoga from new Athletic Director, German Garcia. In an initiative to introduce different ways to stay fit into the standard Archdiocese of Miami Physical Education curriculum, Garcia felt that yoga would help students develop their flexibility, plus learn how to observe their balance skills. Yoga and meditation helps students and athletes to disconnect from all the distractions and the fast pace world we live in today, comments Coach German Garcia. I believe Yoga benefits everyone as ones mind can be cleared, body can relax, and flexibility and balance is improved. So far, Garcia has introduced students to the Prayer, Mountain Pose, and Wide Stance. Garcia may be a new addition to OLL faculty, but both he and his family have been connected to the school and church for nearly two decades. Garcia graduated from OLL in 1998, from Monsignor Edward Pace High School in 2002, and became the first male athlete to receive a volleyball scholarship from the University of New Haven, Connecticut. He holds a Bachelors in Sports Administration with minor in Business Administration from Barry University and MBA and Specialization in Human Resources from Nova Southeastern University. Following three years working in the sports industry, Garcia realized that he was called to teach and once completing teacher certification, began a new career with the South Florida Autism School (SFAS.) As a first year teacher, teaching special education, and especially with students with autism, was a very humbling experience, states Garcia. I believe those students taught me more than what I could ever teach them. That same year, he earned the SFAS Teacher of the Year award. With hopes of pursuing a goal to become a Physical Education instructor, Garcia left SFAS to start an Athletics Department at the Ben Gamla Charter School in Plantation, FL. However, the initiative and department would soon end due to budget cuts. Still wishing to pursue his dream, Garcia quickly responded to the Athletic Director job opening at Our Lady of the Lakes. My mom called me saying OLL was hiring. I applied that same night because I thought it would be great to come back to my Alma Mater, concludes Garcia. I couldnt be happier, and the faculty and staff welcomed me with open arms. I truly feel like OLL is my second home. Courtesy Photo Our Lady of the Lakes: German Garcia, new Athletic Director at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic School (Miami Lakes), incorporates and teaches new ways that students can meditate for prayer and at the same time improve their flexibility with moves such as: The Prayer, Mountain Pose, and Wide Stance. (l to r) - Coach German Garcia, Jasmine Mason, Elizabeth Masiello, Erika Morales, Stephanie Gonzalez, Julian Rosario, Michael Hoffmann.

Striving to develop each childs spiritual, academic, social, and physical potential within an educational community that is committed to the fullness of the Gospel message. Founded in 1986, Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic School has grown to serve over 500 students and each year registers families in Miami Lakes, Miramar and Pembroke Pines. The prekindergarten classrooms are housed in a separate wing of the school providing a safe and secure environment close to the drop-off entry point, cafetorium, fenced-in playground, and physical education area. State of the art classrooms with SMART boards; technology room includes new stationary computers, mobile computer lab, iPads and E Texts; surveillance/security system; Spanish for speakers and nonspeakers; music and art classes; Meet the Masters art enrichment program; chess, language, fine arts and other clubs; Accelerated Reading Program; after school sports; high school test prep program. Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic School www.ollnet.com 6660 Miami Lakeway North, Miami Lakes, FL 33014 (305) 362-5315 ###