Nate Barmore
Age: 18 GPA: 4.1 Parents: Rick and Laurie Barmore
Earning a Tae Kwon Do black-belt takes dedication, discipline and skill. Nate Barmore, a third-level black belt, possesses these qualities to a degree rarely seen in teenagers.
He’s studied the martial art for nine years, achieving the first of 10 black-belt levels more than five years ago.
“Black belt means you have mastered the basics, you have a good sense of the blocks and tactics,” he said. “As you move up, you really master the skills.”
Ranked third in the Class of 2004, Barmore has mastered academics, as well. Math and science are his forte, and after building mousetrap cars, Web sites and underwater robots with the Math Engineering Science Achievement club for the past four years, he will study marine biology at UC-Santa Cruz.
“I would hope to be hired by MBARI, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute,” he said.
The dedicated athlete ran on both the cross-country and track teams and also is taking up rock climbing – he just bought his first climbing gear.
Barmore will spend this summer participating in various youth activities with South Valley Community Church, where he is an active member. He also will help direct the Gilroy Presbyterian Church’s summer program.
