Gassing up: Just got his driver’s permit. Had to take the test twice, but is now driving to school in the mornings. Looks forward to getting a license in six months.
Sports tradition: May end up carting two younger brothers, in seventh and fourth grades, to sports practices as well as his own. Was his football team’s quarterback this fall. Also wrestles and plays on the baseball team. “It’s kind of a part of our family; our whole family plays sports.” Dad is the Snohomish High football coach. Hopes to play for him next year. “I’m looking forward to it.” Michael O’Leary / The Herald
But that’s not all: On the honor roll, he also has taken part in leadership class and is the Associated Student Body vice president. They organize activities, such as a fund drive for South Asia tsunami relief.
Phew: “I don’t have a lot of time for hobbies, but I like to play pingpong, and I collect baseball cards.”
Favorite movie: “Rocky,” about an underdog boxer, or “Cool Runnings,” about a Jamaican Olympic bobsledding team.
Favorite book: Likes Gordon Korman’s “Everest” and “Island” book series. Especially enjoyed an “Island” book about scuba diving. “That was so good I went out and tried scuba diving.” His uncle, a certified diver, taught him on Lake Pend Oreille in Idaho one summer. “It was fun, but it was kind of murky water.”
Underwater adventure: Looks forward to clearer waters and more exotic views during the family’s spring-break trip to Oahu, Hawaii. Just got new snorkel gear, so is all set. “I don’t want to hurt myself or anything, but I do want to try surfing, too.”
The future: Too early to tell, but is drawn to the University of Washington. Dream is to be a professional athlete, but thinks he might also enjoy coaching.
Role models: Dad is right up there. So is baseball coach Frank Lopez. “Coach, he teaches me lessons about life through baseball. … He has all these theories, like, ‘If you run somewhere you can rest when you get there.’” What does that mean for him? “Get to your goals as fast as you can, and you can have fun after that.”
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