In the midst of Chaos, One Student Shines Bright

In this week’s, “More Than an Athlete” column we take you to West Valley, where Marcos Flores spends his school days. Flores is best known for his performance on the football field. He is in his senior year and is preparing himself for college.

We want to highlight the many reasons that Marcos is truly “More Than An Athlete,” This young man always displays exceptional Sportsmanship.

The final game of his High School career was cut short last week due to the game’s being called because of a brawl. While players from both sides engaged in this, Marcos refused to give into negative passions, and he refused to compromise who he is. Instead he took a knee on the field and waited for referees and security to separate everyone. “Sports has always been a big part of my life, but it has never defined who I am. What makes me more than an athlete is my ability to show leadership, responsibility and dedication to younger people around me. I have always been the kind of person to take care of people in need and a lot of people know they can count on me if they ever need anything. No matter what it is, whether school or sports, I always make sure I go the extra mile and do everything with excellence.”

Marcos Flores has been playing football since he was a little kid: he loves that it has taught him so much about leadership, hard work, dedication, and brotherhood. He lives to compete with his brothers and is constantly trying to find ways to better himself on and off the field.

Marcos plans on becoming a Police Officer or Firefighter after graduation. He wants a career in which he knows he is making a difference by helping people in the community. Family is the single most important thing in his life.  Marcos loves to spend time with his family and says he has no idea where he would be without them. “My family has taught me a lot of things, but the biggest thing I’ve learned from them is the importance of school. They support me and help me be the best student I can be so that I can be very successful in my future.” 

“I want to thank all of my coaches from youth to high school for teaching me life lessons and helping me reach my full potential in football. Also I’d like to thank my two older sisters for always being there for me when I need to talk, but most importantly for my amazing parents for keeping my head on straight and keeping me focused on my goals. They do whatever they can to help me and provide all the necessary resources needed to be successful.”

We applaud Marcos Flores for his actions on the field and in the classroom! He is the definition of someone who is “More Than An Athlete.” The Hemet-San Jacinto Chronicle can’t wait to see what he does in his future. 

Know a student who is More Than An Athlete? Email me at Kheadlee@hsjchronicle.com and tell me about them.

Find your latest news here at the Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle

Search: light on local athletes

The post Lead Sports writer Kyle Headlee shines a positive light on local athletes… appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

Family is the most important thing

Arturo Ojeda Jr. (also known as AJ) is a student athlete at San Jacinto High School. Arturo is mostly known for protecting superstar quarterback Kajiya Hollawayne’s blind side as the left tackle on the offensive line, He is also a great High School wrestler (Heavyweight). However there is so much more to Arturo Ojeda then just the bodyguard he plays on the field and the beast he is on the mat. Arturo Comes from a large family and considers himself the protector of all of them! He prides himself on being the best big brother. You can always find AJ playing sports with his younger brothers, he wants to teach his little brothers to work hard and earn everything they can. He doesn’t let them get away with excuses or laziness. 

Arturo Ojeda really enjoys the time he gets to spend with his little brothers, he never sees them as a nuisance or a bother. He takes every opportunity he can to spend time with them since he knows he is going away for college at the end of the school year and he is going to really miss his little brothers. 

Besides being the best big brother he can be and teaching his little brothers how to be a good man he tries to spend time every week with his little sisters and niece and take them on special dates, “so that they grow up knowing how a man should treat them when they get older,” they get dressed up nice and he takes them out for pizza. Arturo makes sure that he opens the door for them and speaks to them with kind words. Its moments like that Arturo said he will miss when he leaves for school. Those weekly dates with his younger sisters and niece are the highlights of his week and he looks forward to spending that special time with them.

Arturo Ojeda also loves to sign Corridos (a mexican folk genre of music that focuses on telling a story) music, which is a specific type of mexican music, “ I walk around the house singing Chalino songs all the time,” Arturo said. Arturo plans on attending Cal Baptist University next fall hopes to wrestle there. He wants to study History and become a history teacher so that he can help guide the next generation and help them make good choices in life. Ojeda also wants to return to San Jacinto High School as a wrestling coach and be a difference maker in those young men’s life.

Arturo Ojeda Jr is a great example of a young man who has his head on straight and has plans for his future. He knows that he has a lot of people looking up to him and he tries his best to be the best possible example for them on a daily basis. Artuto is going to be a difference maker in this community and has a bright future ahead of him.

Know someone who is More Than An Athlete? Email Kheadlee@hsjchronicle.com and tell me about them.

Find your latest news here at the Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle

Search: Family is the most important

The post More Than an Athlete, with Kyle Headlee appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.