BUD GARIKES

Upper School History Teacher Bud Garikes is passionate, optimistic, older, maybe wiser, and very curious. Bud was born in Chicago, so moving to Birmingham, Ala., in the third grade was a big shock. When he was young, Bud dreamed about becoming a major league baseball player, but says he could never hit a curveball. Now he dreams about sleeping until 9 a.m., every morning. Bud has a bachelor’s in history and a JD from the University of Alabama, and he spent 20 years practicing law. In 1992 his boss lost his election so Bud lost his job. He then served in the federal government, until one day an ad for a government teacher at SSSAS caught his eye! Bud’s favorite lesson? The Constitution, because he “loves that those political men, with so many flaws, crafted a document that still inspires people around the world.” He brings history to life by helping his students to connect current events to what they are studying. During an election year, they look at what’s happening every day—what candidates are saying, the electoral map, and anticipate the post-election upheaval. Bud is a storyteller, with tales about campaigns and airplanes…and his unexpected testimony before the House Ways and Means Committee. If he could bring any historical figure into class, it would be Jackie Robinson to talk about facing ignorance, hatred, and bigotry without compromising his own dignity, while still performing at the top of his game. He’d want time travel to JFK’s inaugural speech, because “it’s vibrant, optimistic, inspiring, and full of swagger.” He thinks Teddy Roosevelt would make the best teacher, as he had endless energy and colorful language, “Bully!” Bud’s favorite historical book is “Advise and Consent,” and his favorite film is “All the President’s Men” for depicting the importance of a free, independent press in democracy. But his favorite movie is “The Wizard of Oz,” because “courage, a good heart, and brains are a winning combination.” Bud and wife Margaret are happy empty nesters living on Capitol Hill. Daughter Kerry ’08 is an architect in Seattle and son Ryan ’10 is an executive search professional in Denver. Ryan and wife Georgia recently presented Bud with his first grandson, Harrison. Bud is inspired and moved by art; craves Italian pasta, his mom’s avgolemono soup, and his wife’s crab cakes; loves hitting golf balls; enjoys NATS games; and is happiest when the Crimson Tide Rolls. He defines success by the number of people who call you a friend. If he wasn’t teaching, he might have been billing hours in a law firm, or tending bar in Montana. If he decided to run for office, his campaign slogan would be “Garikes: A New Name to Tackle Old Problems”, or just “Be Wise Vote for Bud.” And you might be surprised to know that Bud sings all the time. He says the only person who ever said he has a good voice is Margaret, and that’s because she loves him—and so do we. Sing, Bud, sing!

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