News

This year’s theme, Keep Going, Keep Growing, has truly come to life across our campus. From the playing fields to the fine arts stage, and most importantly in the classroom, our students have demonstrated tremendous grit, resilience, and determination.

This past Wednesday, our school community came together to celebrate nine incredible student-athletes who have committed to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level. Surrounded by family, friends, coaches, and staff, each athlete signed their letter of intent, marking a proud milestone in their journey.

At Liberty, we believe deeply in our core value, the Power of One. The idea that one person, one choice, one act of kindness can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. This week’s stories are a powerful reminder that when individuals act with heart and purpose, their impact ripples far beyond a single moment or place. They also reflect the E in our PRIDE core values, Everyone, because at Liberty, every person matters. We want all to feel blessed, loved, and seen, and our students and staff consistently go above and beyond to make that a reality. Whether through service, compassion, or stepping up when someone is in need, the Power of One is alive and well across our campus and community.
Principal Leandrea Slayton said, “I am incredibly grateful to the staff and students who reached out with amazing acts of service across our campus and beyond. These moments remind us that Liberty is more than a school, it’s a community.

We are thrilled to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our Liberty musicians this year!
Two of our students earned a spot in the California All-State Bands & Orchestra:
Joseph Jephson – French Horn


Marcus Jephson – Trombone

The Liberty High Choir Concert delivered an unforgettable evening centered on this year’s powerful theme: Of Light and Dark. Through every piece performed, the choirs explored the contrast between darkness and light — balancing the joys of beauty and life with the understanding that death, too, is a natural part of the human experience. What resulted was a moving, reflective, and brilliantly executed performance that showcased both artistic depth and vocal excellence.

This fall has been an extraordinary and rewarding season for the Liberty High School Spirit Team. From the sidelines to the heart of our community, both the cheer and dance teams have demonstrated what it truly means to lead with spirit, dedication, and heart. Their energy not only elevates school pride but also shines through in the meaningful ways they give back.
A major focus of the season was community service, which continues to be a cornerstone of the program. The team participated in events such as the Lace It Up 5K and the Honor Flight, where athletes cheered on participants and welcomed home veterans. Junior dance team member Lovie Peel shared how impactful it felt to be part of the 5K, explaining that it was “such a cool experience to be able to cheer on the participants and listen to their inspiring stories.” Spirit Team Advisor and Coach Lauren Shearon echoed the impact of service, describing Honor Flight as “an inspiring and humbling experience” and a powerful reminder of “how important service and sacrifice is in the Bakersfield community.”

This fall, our Liberty athletes accomplished many great things while demonstrating character, grit, and work ethic across every team. Principal Leandrea Slayton said of the season, “I am incredibly proud of their accomplishments, and even more proud of the way our athletes and coaches navigated adversity. These life skills transcend far beyond athletics, shaping our students into resilient, disciplined, and collaborative young adults. The lessons learned on the field, court, and course have allowed amazing things to happen, both in competition and in life.”

On Saturday, the Liberty Band, Drumline, and Colorguard (BDC) traveled to Colony High School to compete in the California State Band Championships 4A 6A state finals, and the results were nothing short of spectacular. Liberty finished 8th in the state with their highest state score ever of 90.87, marking a milestone for the program.
The BDC also earned their highest placing in the music caption, finishing 3rd, a testament to their musical excellence and dedication. This marks the third time in four years that the Liberty BDC has placed in the top 10 out of over 200 bands competing at the California State Band Championships.

Liberty’s We the People team delivered a remarkable performance at yesterday’s regional competition, earning an impressive 3rd place finish and leaving judges, coaches, and fellow competitors inspired by the quality of their constitutional conversations.
The team’s afternoon hearings were particularly exceptional. Their depth of understanding, calm confidence, and ability to connect American history and constitutional principles to the issues facing our country today made the room come alive with meaningful dialogue. When the timer sounded and each hearing came to a close, no one, including the judges, was ready for the conversations to end. The students truly embodied the purpose of We the People: using their knowledge to analyze modern challenges and explore new solutions grounded in the Constitution.

The Liberty High School cross country program delivered one of its most remarkable seasons to date, marked by historic performances, rising talent, and a powerful sense of unity that defined both the boys and girls teams.
For those new to the sport, cross country scoring works much like golf, the lowest total wins. Seven athletes compete for each team, and the finishing places of the top five runners are added together to form the team score. The sixth and seventh runners do not score directly but play a crucial strategic role by displacing opposing runners and increasing their point totals. This blend of individual performance and team depth makes every athlete’s effort meaningful.