Alex Gonzales, or as the community knows him as Mr.G, was born and raised in Porterville, California. He graduated from Porterville High School in 1975. While on campus, he played the saxophone for the Panther Band under the direction of Mr. Buck Schaffer. Alex also was a member of the football and baseball teams. 

In 1978, Alex graduated from Porterville College, where he studied general music. Alex decided to continue his musical studies at the College of Recording Arts in San Francisco. He spent 1979-1980 in the Bay Area, which only intensified his musical desires. After completing his time in San Francisco, Alex became a rock band member and pursued his music career by traveling and performing throughout the U.S. and Canada. 

His tour included stops in several states and residences in Las Vegas. While in Las Vegas, Alex had the pleasure of playing bass as part of the backup band, with some viral stars. The showroom stars included Robert Goulett, Alan King, Dionne Warwick,  The Classics IV, and other numerous rock and pop bands. 

Alex's performance appetite still wasn't satisfied. Why not fly to New York City and audition for David Clayton Thomas's Blood Sweat and Tears - a Grammy Award-winning band. Alex considered this one of his biggest accomplishments as he traveled on a tour bus as a DCT's Blood Sweat and Tears member and lived his dream until the late 80s. After the tour, Alex returned home to help with his ailing father. 

1992 brought the return to CSUB to finish Alex's music degree, which he accomplished in 1996. Alex met his wife, Terri, along the way and married in 1994. Terri was a 1972 graduate of Monache High School in Porterville. Terri had 20 years of business experience in concrete construction and side businesses, including costume design, manufacturing, and wedding and event coordination. The most important contribution that Terri brought to the marriage was three daughters, who were the perfect addition to Alex's daughter. The girls were blessed to have Alex in their lives and continue to be very close. Together, Alex and Terri developed music programs at Richgrove and Columbine Schools. Alex enjoyed coaching football and wrestling at Richgrove and developed long-lasting friendships with the other coaches. 

In the summer of 2004, Alex walked into the office of principal Saul Gonzalez at Cesar Chavez High School, asked if he could be the new band director at the site, and convinced Mr. Gonzalez to give him a chance. It was only for two periods a day, allowing Alex to continue his band program at Richgrove. 

The music programs became solid at Richgrove throughout this time, and numerous awards were won up and down the valley. Alex and Terri started a Latin Jazz Pop and Rock Band at Richgrove. These kids were so incredibly talented that they were even asked to perform at the annual CABE State Teachers Conference for three consecutive years.

Rosalina Rivera, the superintendent of Delano Joint Union High School District, approached Alex and Terri and asked if we would be willing to be the band directors at Delano High School simultaneously while still directing and developing Cesar Chavez. The year was 2010, and directing both schools was challenging, rewarding, and valuable to the students and Mr.and Mrs.G. (Never to be known as Alex and Terri again in the district.) The duality with DHS, which began in 2010 would continue to the end of 2018. During this time, the DHS Indoor Percussion flourished; the ensemble had a four-year (2012-2015) "A" Class Championship run in Indoor Percussion and added 2017 and 2018 to the list.

Throughout this time, the CCHS Indoor Percussion ensemble made a name for itself in the valley. The 2019 percussion ensemble at CCHS was the first in DJUHSD history to achieve designated world-class status. Along with three consecutive Indoor Percussion Championships in Open Class, from 2016- 2018, the 2019 CCHS Percussion Ensemble competed and had an undefeated championship season locally in World Class.

CCHS competed at the 2019 WGI World Class Championships in Dayton, Ohio, and ranked 16th in the world, which was an incredible accomplishment, making history in the city of Delano. Alex and Terri considered this one of the many highlights of their career. In addition to the responsibilities at CCHS and DHS, 2010 brought changes at RFK in their band staff. Alex and Terri worked alongside Mr. Mark Booc, focusing on stability and moving the program forward. 

Terri continues to work with all three sites weekly. This labor of love for the students, mentoring and assisting the directors, began in 2010 and continues to this day. The multiple school assignments were to bring great personal success. 

Over the years, Alex has been awarded Most Influential Teacher sixteen times, Most Respected Teacher in 2009, 2010, and 2013 at CCHS, Teacher of the Year at CCHS in 2008 and 2020, Teacher of the Year at DHS in 2013, and Kern County High School Teacher of the year.

June of 2020 brought retirement for Alex and Terri, and during this time, Alex was battling cancer and is currently a cancer survivor. They enjoyed their beautiful country home in the foothills of Porterville, and the seclusion was perfect due to COVID. Alex turned an extra bedroom into a recording studio and joined two local bands. Terri loved gardening and spending additional time with six grandkids. Retirement was great......but in April of 2022, everything changed!! 

Alex and Terri still felt that they had too much gas left in the tank, so they were un-retired and returned to CCHS in April of 2022. 

If the prior success from 1992-2020 weren't enough, the success of CCHS Music was about to rise to new heights, with a 2022 Indoor Percussion Championship and a 2022 CSBC -2A Nor-Cal State Band Championship.

CCHS Indoor Percussion continued their legacy in 2023 with a Championship in Open Class. 

made history as they won the 2023 CSBC State Band "Grand" Championship. This was the first time in the 112-year history of DJUHSD that a program from Delano won a California State Championship.

Adding the cherry on top, the 2024 Indoor Percussion Ensemble would compete in World Class and win two Valley Circuit Championships. CCHS Indoor Percussion Ensemble represented Delano and central California as they traveled to Dayton, Ohio, to compete at the WGI World Championships, finishing in the top 20 in World Class.

Alex and Terri’s success throughout the years has been thrilling. Still, all of that aside, it has been the opportunity to work with hundreds of incredible students in the cities of Delano, Earlimart, and Richgrove. This stands out most in all decades of memories. 

Under the direction of the G's, the Titan Band has performed for Presidents Obama, Clinton, and Biden. The band joined California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on the stage and welcomed two Honor Flights filled with WWII veterans home. The G's are proud and honored to have led decades of kids and look forward to the next generation of music students. Dedicating their lives to the children in the Delano area has been Alex and Terri's passion and true calling. They're honored and proud to be adopted by this great Delano, the surrounding community, and the families that live here. 

Alex's Musical groups from Richgrove School, DHS, CCHS, and CCHS Titan CTE have performed through the years at the Delano Relay for Life, Wonderful Scholarship Banquets in the early and mid 2000s, Delano Business Grand opening ceremonies including the dedication of the Larry Itlong Park dedication, Delano Little League, Cesar E Chavez Day of Service at Keene, CA, and Elementary Schools in Delano for kick-off starts to school testing rallies.

Other volunteer work that Alex has done includes working with Delano PD in support of community events to bring the community together, playing bass at Lifehouse with the youth group band on Friday nights, was a previous member of the inaugural Richgrove Lions Service Organization, and helped with the coordination with the Bakersfield Symphony for a community performance here in Delano. Alex and Terri also volunteered their time to run a summer band program at CCHS.

Aside from work, Terri and Alex have spent countless hours of their own time working with students who enjoy music. He says that he can relate to them, encourage students to learn, and let them know that the door is wide open for opportunities and for them to work hard to accomplish their goals in life.

Alex says that his wife Terri is the backbone of everything because, without her, nothing happens from talking to parents, being an inspiration to young students, having a listening ear to students regarding personal situations, and providing empathy, hope, encouragement, and expresses compassion to the young minds of Delano.

Alex and Terri say the most rewarding thing about their career is getting to know the family and the students by understanding their lives and backgrounds. Being part of the community is very important to Alex and Terri. To all of the students and the community of Delano, Alex and Terri would like to close with, “that anything is possible and through hard work and dedication you can make your dreams a reality.”

Congratulations, Alex & Terri (Mr. & Mrs. G.), for all of your hard work and dedication to your students, the City of Delano, and the surrounding areas for all of the lives you’ve touched!

2023-2024 Delano Harvest Holidays Grand Marshal is none other than Manuel Perez. He has been a resident of Delano since 1978. In the early 1980s he worked for Pandol and Sons swamping grapes for 15 years and labored for 18 years in the off season in Wasco working on roses.

In 1911, Manuel and his wife started willing ceramic figurines to family and friends. Back then, knocking door to door. People loved their products so much that they began to do home demonstrations. In 1993, he opened his business in a small back section of the old Morris building off of Main Street. He continued selling ceramics and slowly began to bring small furniture items, such as coffee tables. Customers began buying those, so he brought in bunk beds, which led to sofas.

In 1996, Manuel was able to relocate his business to a larger facility located at 1030 Main Street, where he filled his store with dinning sets, bedroom sets, T.V. stands, and so on. In April 2020, he relocated to 1010 Cecil Avenue where he currently resides.

Manuel says, "It has always been a pleasure to be able to help out in my community. I love our growing city of Delano. This is my home and [it has been] the perfect place to start a business."

Manuel has also been a big support of the Veterans Parade BBQ fundraiser, opening his business parking lot to host the event. Harvest Holidays would like to tank him for his service to our community and his willingness to serve the people of Delano.