No Sibling Rivalry between Omar & Israel.
No Sibling Rivalry at the Tulare County Academic Decathlon.
Okay, I did some digging during my interview with Omar Balderas, the bright 18-year-old from Visalia’s El Diamante High School, who during the competition, emphatically praised his little brother and teammate, Israel, 17.
He didn’t budge. Not even a bit.
Omar made no gesture or spoke no ill toward Israel, even jokingly. Even as El Diamante teammates poked and jabbed at him during his interview with me, Omar continued and spoke about how cool it was to be a part of the decathlon with little bro, Israel.
“The best part was just coming out here with my brother,” said Omar. “We’re by ourselves, making the best of it and hanging in there.”
What did he mean “by ourselves?”
They are responsible enough, and he’s 18 anyway, to go to school, stay out of trouble and keep from the antics most of us, well yes, did/do in high school.
Parents, Antonio and Catalina Balderas, were vacationing south of the border in Jalisco, Guadalajara, México.
Ironic because the topic of this year’s decathlon was “Latin América with emphasis on México.” And Omar didn’t even tell his parents that! What’s up with that little bro?
“They’re taking a good vacation in my mother’s native Jalisco. And my dad is right there all the way,” added Omar.
So did they have a wild party?
“Nah we’re good kids,” he added jokingly.
In between the Super Quiz and the Awards Ceremony, the kids fraternized in a cafeteria on the campus at Porterville College, located just a short distance from the foothill community of Springville. About 125 lucky contestants from 10 south-county schools in the competition cheered for each other during the sometimes-grueling questions about Latin América.
Omar hopes to become a civil engineer. He wants to build things, he says. And to make a difference.
Check out this shortened list of winners.
Julio González-Maya of Granite Hills, Team A was the individual winner of the Scholastic Category; Honors Category went to Julio’s teammate, Karen Harringer; and the Varsity Category was earned by Amy Minor, also of Granite Hills, Team A.
Granite Hills High School (Porterville ) won the overall large school division.
Harmony Magnet Academy (Strathmore) won the over small school division.
Kudos to Granite Hill for earning top honors as the overall lead scorer.
Congrats to Carmen Friesen for helping to organize a great event. To Dr. Glenn Williams, the instructional consultant and the emcee at the event (great job! Very funny). And of course to Robert Herman, the public information officer for Tulare County Office of Education.
At far right is Omar Balderas, 18, far left, is Israel, 17.
Great job everyone!
