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Mondays With Maria – Surprise Guest
Posted on 11/04/2024
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Announcer: Welcome to Mondays with Maria, presented by ADDITION Financial Credit Union. Here's OCPS Superintendent, Dr. Maria Vazquez.

Maria Vazquez: Hi everyone. Jamie Holmes is back with us, and I have a very special guest joining us for the very first time. I'm so excited to welcome OCPS alum Omari Jones. I'm so excited that you're here. Yes. Oh my gosh. Thank you so much.

Jaime Holmes: This is awesome. And either we have a boxing theme show today, or the superintendent is going to be

Omari Jones: Oh, yes. I'm, liking the gloves. I'm liking the gloves for sure. <Laugh>.

Maria Vazquez: So you truly are an OCPS alum. Yes. You went to Lake Gem. Mm-Hmm. <Affirmative> Meadowbrook Middle School. And you're a graduate of Edgewater High School? Yes. Right. Oh my gosh, yes. A true, true alum, elementary, middle, and high school.

Jaime Holmes: So what did you do with your summer?

Omari Jones: <Laugh> <laugh> Paris Olympic Games, and I came back with a Olympic bronze medal.

Maria Vazquez: Oh my gosh. So let's talk about that. Right. So you from an early age, early age got into boxing, right?

Omari Jones: Yes. Eight at eight years old.

Maria Vazquez: At first you started with karate.

Omari Jones: Started with karate at four. My dojo was in the same place was I was boxing at, so I saw my friends changing into boxing right after karate. So I was like, one day I just chose to do the same. I ended up doing great my first sparing match, and I fell in love with the sport ever since.

Jaime Holmes: Wow.

Maria Vazquez: Yeah. And you had a dream to be an Olympian, correct?

Omari Jones: Yes.

Maria Vazquez: Talk to us about that journey.

Omari Jones: Yes. So the journey was definitely tough. So to kick it off, like I said, so many years, I've been boxing for 13 years, so it took me 13 years to get here from eight years old until now. At 18 years old, I won the Nationals and that's where like my team USA journey started. So I got on the team. They loved they loved what they saw, the coaches and everything. Loved what they saw. So I went on to win a lot of international medals, like world championships and got the silver there. And then the, the qualifying process of the Olympic Games was definitely grueling.

Maria Vazquez: Right. <laugh>. So you had all of this international success, gold medals. You are really feeling it, right? Yes. I am going to make this dream come true. Correct. And then come the Pan-American games. And that really was pivotal, a pivotal time for you for sure. Tell us about that.

Omari Jones: So the Pan American Games, I win my first match against Puerto Rico, which is a, a real good opponent. Mm-Hmm. <Affirmative>. And then I go on to, to face my next opponent, and I come up short and you know, a tough decision, which was definitely at that time a setback for me. But it ended up being a pivotal moment because it put me in a place where I needed to be, to go ahead and, and qualify at the next qualifier, which was in Italy.

Jaime Holmes: Well, I think you're understating it a little bit <laugh>. Because you turned the engine like on overdrive, right? I mean, you had this setback and you for sure turned to your family and you turned to yourself and said, absolutely, I'm going to do this.

Omari Jones: Yes. Yes. So after, after I lost a match, you know, my family, they were in the, the tunnel and, and they were in the tunnel waiting for me. And like I looked at them, I seen their face basically pretty much tears in their eyes when they, you know, when I came back to get them a hug. And I looked at all of them and said like, I'm going get it <laugh>. Don't worry, don't worry. I'm going come home on the next one and qualify. So I had to fight for my spot again to even get a chance at the next qualifier in Italy. And, and when I got to Italy, that's when I punched my ticket, which was actually a world qualifier. So the world qualifier, just not a continent for Pan American games. It was just your, your side of the world, the Americas, South America, North America. But after you lose, it's the world. So, everybody that lost is there. Everybody that lost is there and it's much harder, much more, you know, intense, intense to, to qualify.

Maria Vazquez: And you have a scar, right? Yes. <laugh> from the, from that qualifying match

Omari Jones: The qualifying match against India. So I got headbutted and blood was basically dripping down my face. Eyes was, my left eye was, was a blur vision, but I made sure to find a way because getting that close at the door, I don't think I, I feel like that one would've been probably more tougher for me than losing that one probably would've been more tougher than me, than the Pan American.

Maria Vazquez: So family, very important to you. Yes. You talked about them being in the tunnel. Yes. I've watched video where your mom and dad are talking about your journey. Mm-Hmm. <Affirmative>. And I think your mom said when they realized that you really wanted to do this, that we're all in, we're going support you. So talk to us about, you know, that, that feeling, how, how important family has been to you and your journey.

Omari Jones: Yes. Family has been a very important part for me. My dad, you know, he took a lot of sacrifices in there with me, day in, day out, my mom as well. You know, with just being there for me and making the investment, you know, just saying that, you know, my kid is going be great and I'm going pretty much put everything behind him. A lot of times, you know, they went into to debt to make sure that I was able to get to those tournaments and make my dream come true. So it just shows you how much that they had invested behind me and the love that they have for their child. And, you know, all glory to God for everything that I have as well.

Jaime Holmes: So you are an alumni Yes. Of, of the OCPS school system. And I'm curious what message you would have for other kids who either starting karate at four or boxing or eight or playing clarinet Yes. <Laugh>, you know, what you would have for, for them?

Omari Jones: Yes. Well, basically I came from where they came from, as you mentioned, Lake Gem Elementary, Meadowbrook Middle School, and being a graduate of Edgewater High School and going on to continue my education at Valencia College. Education is, is very important. And me coming from their background, just, it just shows like I was just in their shoes three years ago, or eight years for some, you know. So I was just there and if I can do it, I was, you know, it was a time where I really felt like, you know, getting on team USA was kind of like, man, like am I really going to do this? Like, I lost so many tournaments, I lost so many fights, but I remained consistent through it all. And continue to put my trust in God and just, I saw the vision. I saw the vision. I always saw myself going to the 2024 Olympics and spoke it and it happened and did it and worked. So, yes. So, I, I really believe if they remain consistent and, and believe in it, make the right decisions because it is easy now to, you know, get sidetracked. But it's a lot of positive in the world as well, and so many programs for them to make opportunities happen for themselves. Yeah.

Maria Vazquez: Well I definitely think the message of believing in yourself Yes. Surrounding yourself with people who will support you and who believe in you. Correct. And being persistent. And persevering because it's not easy as you not said it was hard work. Oh yeah. But you were able to attain that incredible dream. Definitely. And just, I mean, so proud. All right. So you've at 21, you've already accomplished this tremendous goal. Yes. What is next?

Omari Jones: Yes. So right now I'm still in the gym, still training, making sure I stay active for a lot of things. Haven't made a decision if I'll be turning pro or, you know, stand for LA 28. But I'm still in school at Valencia College right now, writing an inspirational book for children. Just to, just to show them an inspiring journey to inspire them to chase their goals and dreams as well.

Maria Vazquez: Alright. So I see you've got what I think is some Edgewater gear with you.

Omari Jones: Definitely, definitely. I made sure to bring some Edgewater gear and show off my, my school where I graduated from. And I actually, they just actually honored me on, on the football field at their homecoming game. So they always made sure they were supporting me from Orlando and showing love when I came back. And, you know, it, it was great. It was great to be there at the game that day.

Maria Vazquez: I bet the energy was amazing.

Omari Jones: Oh yes. <Laugh>.

Jaime Holmes: So how many times are you training a day?

Omari Jones: Two to three times a day

Speaker 3: In the Gime? Oh wait, that's gym.

Everyone: <Laugh>.

Jaime Holmes: So Omari is part of the OCPS Alumni Network run by the foundation for Orange County Public Schools. And the program provides former OCPS students, employees, parents, volunteers, community partners, everyone the opportunity to celebrate OCPS milestones and networking opportunities to reconnect with local schools and OCPS family members. And mark your calendars for the magic of Networking event. That's January 25th, 2025. Proudly sponsored by the Orlando Magic. You can network with fellow alum, enjoy watching the Orlando Magic. They're going be taking on the Detroit Pistons at the Kia Center. And before the game begins, you can connect in the City National Bank hourglass room that has those beautiful panoramic views over downtown Orlando at the promenade level. It's just an absolute blast. So, wow. This was a knockout interview, right?

Maria Vazquez: You are just amazing. Thank you. I wish you so much more success and I can't even begin to imagine how proud your family is. Because We are proud that you are an OCPS alum.

Omari Jones: Thank you for having me.

Maria Vazquez: Thank you. If you are an OCPS graduate volunteer employee or parent, join the OCPS Alumni Network today by texting OCPS alum to 4 1 4 4 4.

Jaime Holmes: Why did you sign me up to be a sparring partner?

Maria Vazquez: Oh yeah. No <laugh>. That, that would be ugly. <Laugh>, thank you again for being here. It was such an honor. And thank you all for watching. Don't forget to like, follow and subscribe. We will have more of our conversation with Omari on our podcast. Just go to wherever you get your podcast and search for Mondays with Maria. We will see you next week.

Announcer: For an extended conversation on today's topic. Listen to the Mondays with Maria podcast, available wherever you get your podcasts. Mondays with Maria is presented by ADDITION Financial Credit Union. Count us in for every step of your financial journey. Learn more at Additionfi.com. For more OCPS news and information, visit TheSlice.ocps.net. I'm your announcer, Kaleb Priester, a senior at Jones High School. Thanks for watching and have a great week.