Gutierrez Teacher Feature

By Gwen Carroll April 2, 2025

On the first day of each school year, Roberto Gutierrez, Foreign Language Department, introduces himself with the fun fact that he held the Olympic torch at 13 years old. While at first it may seem like this event is  at most a slice of trivia, in truth, it represents a common theme throughout his life: seeking inspiration from the best of the best to improve himself.

The opportunity to hold it came about when the Olympics came to Los Angeles in the summer of 1984, as one of the legs of the torch relay passed through his hometown of Castroville. Being a huge fan of the Olympics at the time, Gutierrez and a friend with a camera jumped at the chance to see the runner and hold the torch. The photo they took of the event has become one of his treasured belongings.

“My students always want to see the photo, but I only have one copy since it is in physical form. I worry that it will get damaged if I bring it to class, so as much as I would like to show it off to my students, I prefer to keep it safe at home,” Gutierrez said.

The Olympics represent the pinnacle of competition, making them the perfect entertainment for a teenage Gutierrez, who had no shortage of competitive spirit. From 8th grade and throughout high school, he played track and field, placing in CCS in the 4x100m relay and winning every race in district or county competitions. Naturally, he took the most interest in track and field events when the Olympics aired, alongside soccer, where he cheered on Latin American countries. Watching the world’s best athletes compete in his favorite sports lit a fire of inspiration in Gutierrez.

“As a teen, I dreamed of going to the Olympics, as many teens do. Now that I am older, I can tell that I was never at a level where I would compete internationally, but I also recognize that having that dream kept me going,” Gutierrez said.

Indeed, while many young people yearn to show off their athleticism on the world stage, very few will ever get the chance, but Gutierrez did not let this stop him from doing his best. Instead, he has mastered the art of balancing looking up to heroes without feeling crushed by the difference in fame—an essential practice for anyone seeking inspiration from the best.

While he no longer runs competitively, Gutierrez is still diligent about taking care of his health. He finds that following in the footsteps of  humanity’s top athletes help him persevere in his daily life as he continues to work out and eat healthy. With a fun fact about the Olympic torch, Gutierrez teaches his students to do the same.

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About the Contributors

Gwen Carroll

Page Editor

Gwen Carroll is the page editor for community news and last word. it is her third year in journalism. she likes playing rhythm games and taking naps when it's warm out.