Tale of two presidents

What do a Hacky Sack enthusiast and a part-time ghost hunter have in common?

Two very impressive resumes.

Kristian Benavidez, the occasional hacky-sacker, and Andres Guerrero, the ghost hunter, both graduated from Pace High School this year and have been involved in the same organizations since their ninth grade year.

They met at a state science fair four years ago.

“We all went to Krispy Kreme donuts and that’s the first time I think I met (Kristian),” Andres said as the two sat in the Pace library Friday.

But a memory involving a canoe is the duo’s favorite.

“One time at a competition we were both in this canoe and my side was practically lifted out of the water,” Guerrero said, referencing a dilemma caused by the height difference between the two.

“No dude, it wasn’t out of the water,” Benavidez said.

Both laughed as they debated the story’s facts.

Their constant joking and relaxed posture extends into a seemingly serious conversation about the term each served as 2006-2007 national and state president for SkillsUSA.

Andres, 17, was elected in 2006 to the national position by a system that mirrors the Electoral College. He represented a quarter of a million students who participate in SkillsUSA.

The organization holds more than 10,000 contests in 300 different professional skills. Students from all 50 states participate.

Benavidez, 17, became the Texas president in 2006.

“We really served more in leadership positions,” Guerrero said.

Explaining how the competitions worked, and how much fun they had is difficult for the two.

“You really had to be there, well, you can be now if you buy the newly released DVD of the event,” Guerrero said, as if he had rehearsed the line before.

“OK, Andy, your term already ended,” Benavidez said as both laughed.

When they’re not participating in SkillsUSA, editing the Pace Newspaper, or serving as president of the National Honor Society, titles Benavidez and Guerrero held, respectively, they do “normal things.”

“We don’t really hang out in the same group,” Guerrero said.

“But we don’t not get along,” Benavidez said. “We’re just cool.”

Guerrero is a self-described “random person,” which explains the ghost hunting and frequent trips to Best Buy to play the video games.

Benavidez enjoys fishing at Boca Chica beach and playing Frisbee with friends.

Though they don’t share the same interests, they do share future plans.

Both will be freshmen in August at the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin.

Their reasons for going are different.

Benavidez will focus on networking and learning about running a business, while Guerrero will figure out what kind of business he wants to eventually own.

Both plan to continue their avid participation in different organizations, a habit Benavidez said was formed because “normal schoolwork isn’t enough to keep you occupied.”

“Yeah, sometimes my mom is like ‘you’re exploiting yourself,’” Guerrero said as Benavidez nodded in agreement. “I just think she’s really worried about me living the life of an average teenager.”