Marco Morales -When it comes to childhood memories what is your favorite childhood memory?

Eric Barrera -Reading The Outsiders in 7th grade. It portrays different social classes during that time and playing Lego Batman. I loved it. It was my favorite game to play either with my siblings or by myself. 

MM- Who is your favorite sibling that you have the most memories with? 

EB- I mean I fight with all of them like normal siblings, but I would say my sister because she has always been there. She is only a year younger; we have always been together. We always tried to help each other. 

MM- What made you want to box? What kept you motivated and going, knowing it’s just a physically demanding sport? 

EB-Well, I just joined a little gym back in 6th grade and just kept going. I stopped during quarantine and then went back, but when I thought about quitting to focus on school I couldn’t stay away and went back. I just loved it and now I’m fighting people bigger than me.

MM- Staying on the sports subject, what made you like soccer?

EB- Well, I think just seeing how countries come together during a World Cup and seeing how passionate people are for the teams and the support which I find cool because you don’t see that.

MM-Sounds like you succeeded, you know, balancing school and still boxing. What is your meaning of success though?

EB- Well, I would say that success means just being happy, you know? Yeah, it might not be easy for everyone because of the struggles and different circumstances, but I say being happy with what you have and completing is a success.

MM- Staying on education questions, what are your plans after high school? 

EB-Well, obviously like everyone else, college is an option, but I would also like to attend IETC. It’s an electrician school because I already did a course and found it fun so why not keep going. I got a gift for it, but civil engineering is in the books and so is a lawyer.

MM- You said struggles and circumstances a few minutes ago and I want to touch that subject if you don’t mind. I was wondering, what are some that kids face nowadays? What do you have to say to them?

EB- I say comparing yourself to others is not good because everyone has their way of getting things done and comparing yourself to others just limits you from reaching your goal. I would tell them as well. Take it one step at a time; there is no rush. 

MM- Based on you saying people compare each other, what do you believe separates you from the rest of the candidates for Mr. Cardinal?

EB-Well, I mean I have the least hours honestly out of all of them in school activities, but I think what separates me from them is that it won’t bother me if I lose or win. But if I do win, well then I make a promise to listen to what the students want and be their voice.

MM- What about your leadership style. How does that look?  

EB-Well, I think everyone is like gears. We all have to work together to succeed because if one stops working, we all do and nothing will get done. And obviously know the situation that your team members are in to help them succeed too.

MM- What’s a quote you live by? How does it motivate you? 

EB- One quote that always gets me would say KEEP GOING STAYING IN ONE PLACE IS NOT GOOD. I say it motivates me because I saw how difficult it was for my parents and how my father would always be working and how he would never stay in one place he would always be working.