Torch Legend - Andre "Dre" Hurtado

It has become common that when the athletes at Torch compare accolades, how many points you scored or even the amount of games won are never mentioned. The student athletes mention only one thing, how many banners do you have.

Andre Hurtado leaves Torch winning four varsity (8th grade ) championships, the most of any Torch student in recent memory. He also owns a whole resume of other accolades. YAL B division basketball champ, A division YAL Basketball champ, SCMAF LA county B div champion, Torch Intramural Champion and the list goes on.

Andre says " none of this almost happened, I was set to go to Orange Grove in HLPUSD, but I saw a video of my cousin winning a basketball championship at Torch and I convinced my parents to let me come."

Andre is also an excellent student earning honor roll every semester since he's stepped foot on campus. Andre says " It took sacrifice to play sports, you practiced everyday even throughout the summer and winter breaks. It does get tough, everyone is hanging out with friends and your staying up late doing homework".

Asked on what he learned and what he'll miss most Andre says " I learned to be humble, you play a lot of games and good competition at Torch, you come in thinking your the best and quickly find out there is other good talent in the area, only hard work separates you. " Andre goes on to say "i will miss coach Juarez as he set me on the right outlook for life and I will miss all the time spent at Torch after school with my friends playing together".