Students at Mills High School were surprised this week when they heard that history teacher Donald Burdette will represent the United States in surfing at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Burdette will make Mills history as he will be the first-ever teacher to participate in the Olympics. Many students knew he liked to surf, but they didn’t expect him to compete in the Olympics. 

Burdette said his training is a little different from most athletes. “Sometimes in my house I’ll run around the kitchen table and stuff. I’ve got lots of kids, so I’ll pick them up and throw them on the bed … The big kids are pretty heavy, and it keeps me in really good shape,” Burdette said. 

Burdette’s training is effective and useful. Throwing kids into bed requires a lot of physical strength and conditioning. Another thing he could even start is a workout routine with curling using his kids. A lot of parents do the same routine, too. 

He also explained how he found out about the shocking news, saying, “I was walking down the street and this dude ran into me and said, ‘Bro, you’re going to be in the Olympics.’ I was like, ‘Dang!’” 

Students at Mills had some different reactions when they heard about the breaking news. “I know he surfed, but I didn’t know he was actually gonna be in the Olympics,” junior Xavier Samayoa explained. 

Another student, Jorge Asuar (11), thinks Burdette might have a chance to do well. “He always said he’s good at surfing and does it in his free time. It might be hard for him, but maybe he can do it,” Asuar (11) noted.

Surfing will be part of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. When Burdette competes in the Olympics, it will be a big moment for him and Mills High School. Many students say they will be cheering for him and hoping he brings home a gold medal. GO MR. BURDETTE!!!!