Ben Hargis attended Edison Elementary, Bakersfield High School, Bakersfield College and UCLA. He attended BC when it was still on the campus of BHS. It was at BHS where he started his community service, being elected Boy’s Service Club President in his senior year.
In 1956, Ben met North High student Bonnie Burt. So from Blue and white, it was Red and Grey. They were married in the spring of 1959. After completing his education at UCLA, he and Bonnie moved back to Bakersfield and began an organic fertilizer business with his father, and 55 years later it still exists. They had three children, two girls and a boy, all of whom graduated from North High. The two girls were cheerleaders and volleyball players and the son a wrestler and football player.
It was in 1970 that Ben started helping Danny and Yvonne Thomas with Booster Club barbeques. He continued his association with the Booster Club for the next several years.
He is most proud of the Booster Club’s effort in building North High’s first athletic weight room. Though this monumental task was completed with the help of local businesses, coaches, boosters, Oildale citizens, teachers and district personnel, it could not have happened without Ben Hargis’ efforts. His family has always been proud to be 08ers and North High school supporters. Ben and Bonnie can still be seen at the school’s athletic events.
To help cement close bonds between athletic coaches, community members and especially Booster Club members, Ben has provided his cabin at Bass Lake for several years for retreats during the summer months. Those who attended have had several memorable moments. Not only did it bring people together, it created respect and appreciation for all the efforts of all the people who were most active in North High School athletics. Ben Hargis is what being a booster and contributor is all about. BHS should be so lucky.