HALL OF FAME
KEN HEBERT
SPORTS ANNOUNCER
As presented by Ross Hebert... Ken started volunteering his time to EDHS in 2006 as a JV Baseball coach when his son Ross was a Sophomore. He started announcing baseball in 2007 and continued announcing for 4 years, never missing a game. Also in 2006, he added volleyball to the mix, when he was a substitute scorekeeper for July Hong, learning how to keep score from the infamous Leslie Sorensen. During this time he was not only the announcer for baseball and volleyball, he also started coaching freshmen girls basketball after his daughter Katie graduated in the 2010-2011 season and again for the 2013-2014 season. He had to work hard to remember what year he started announcing football, but remembered that it was 2013, because it was the year we beat Sanger at home in the last minute of the game. As far as announcing football goes, the rest is history. He has been announcing every varsity home game for the past 11 years. In 2016, he began announcing baseball again and this year marks his 7th season in a row announcing baseball. He also came back to announcing basketball and volleyball in 2021. We’ve lost count of how many total seasons he’s announced and coached for, but we are pretty sure it’s somewhere in the 15 season range. The last fun fact: his dad, Claud Hebert, was the football announcer for the Dinuba Emperors for over 30 years, and if you’ve been to a game in Dinuba, you might recognize the stadium name - “Claud Hebert field” He has been integral in starting our audio program for athletics with walk-up songs for baseball and game day music for basketball and volleyball, and has definitely been a driving force in changing the culture within EDHS athletics. He is a big miner fan and may actually bleed green.
SIERRA HYLAND
SOFTBALL
As presented by Rylee Pierce... It is with great honor and pride to stand up here and celebrate Sierra’s induction to the El Diamante Hall of Fame. As a former teammate and now lifelong friend, I have had the privilege of witnessing the incredible dedication, talent, and passion Sierra has brought to the softball field as well as the caring, fun, and humble human she is. Her parents could likely elaborate on this more than me, but while most kids were playing on a swing set or off at the lake, Sierra spent countless hours honing her craft, pitching to her dad Mike on their spare time until he was happy to hand that job over to catchers wearing full protective equipment. Her parents, grandparents, and entire family would all likely agree that from the first moment she grabbed a softball, the spunky, bandana wearing kid, had a true gift. Sierra was a student athlete, with her primary sport being softball, here at El Diamante from 2009-2013. Hold onto your hat for all she has done during that time and since. As a high school athlete she played softball, girls basketball, and soccer. As a softball player, she was named Tulare County Player of The Year all 4 years. She and her teammates earned a league championship in 2011, 2012, and 2013. In 2013 she earned the Hot stove Award. Most notably, in 2010 they brought home the only softball Division 1 Valley Title in school history. Finally, For some context to the accolades: in her 4 years here at el diamante, she had a 1.2 ERA. She threw a total of 692.2 innings and had 959 strikeouts.. averaging 1.39 strikeouts per inning. Oh yeah, and she could hit. She was top 3 in nearly every offensive category every single year. Can you imagine how little pressure we felt as her teammates? After graduating, she continued to play at Cal Poly on a full ride scholarship. In her four seasons, she collected a 1.20 ERA in 747.1 innings. She was named Rookie of the year in 2014, Woman Athlete of the year, twice. She was named Big West player/pitcher of the week, 16 different times. Big West pitcher of the year, twice. She was named NCAA all region, 4 times. NFCA National player of the week, 4 times. In her senior year she was named as an All American and was picked 4th overall in the 2017 National Professional Fastpitch draft. She holds the record for Big West Career strikeouts (959) & victories - 101 wins, only 14 losses with 51 shutouts. Meaning in 51 of the 101 wins, the opponent didn’t score a single run. She is ranked in the top 10 in 10 different categories in hitting and she holds the #1 spot in 8 different pitching categories. For the record, we played in different conferences, so I never had to face her in college, thank goodness! Impressed yet? Well, she was then selected to the Mexican National team from 2018-2022. During that time her team won a Mexican National Championship in 2019 with the Tamaulipas State Team. Then, as part of the National Team, she led her team to an Olympic qualifier win in Canada in 2019 followed by the Olympics in 2020/21. With this same National team she earned a spot in the Pan American Games and in the Central American Games where her team finished as silver medalists. To continue her amazing career, she played in the Italian pro league where they earned an Italian championship as well as 2 European championships. Additionally, she played in the Taiwan pro league for two years where she earned best pitcher award, most strikeouts and earned a spot on the All-league team. Her career was then capped with playing in the Women’s Professional Fastpitch League with the Chicago bandits & Cleveland Comets. In 2022 she played for the Japan Pro League and lastly the world games in 2023. She is now retired from Professional Fastpitch and ready to begin the next chapter in her life. Beyond her undeniable talent, Sierra is a great leader, teammate, and friend. It was obvious to everyone around her that she enjoyed her craft and loved being a part of a team. An example of the quality of friend she is, amongst her travels around the world, she made time to travel home and be in my wedding nearly 10 years after we played together and while she was still playing internationally. As we gather to honor her remarkable achievements, let us not only celebrate her incredible talent and accomplishments but also the profound impact she has had here at El Diamante, in our community, and in the sport of softball. Sierra, your induction into the El Diamante Hall of fame is a testament to your enduring legacy as the greatest pitcher to represent our softball program.
JERRY WALKOWIAK
MINER FOUNDATION
As presented by Spencer Carr... Jerry has been associated with El Diamante since the opening of the school in 2002. Jerry worked for Visalia Unified for many years and as Director of Tech Services he actually oversaw many of the technological needs of EDHS from the beginning. He coordinated the purchase of technology for the campus during summer 2002 and supervised student athletes unloading and distributing computers to the various classrooms on campus. As part of his job, he also had the responsibility of managing all VUSD theaters including the new EDHS theater. He worked on the design and procurement of an LED marquee for the EDHS theater and was present at most of the events held there to make sure everything was running smoothly. Jerry was an integral part of creating and forming the Miner Foundation during the summer of 2002. Over the course of 10 years, Jerry served as both President and Treasurer at various times and extended his service even after his kids had graduated from EDHS. He also helped to create the Miner Foundation Fundraiser Dinner and worked at all of those fundraisers for the first 10 years. Jerry was highly involved as a parent and volunteer for the athletic department. He served as Treasurer for the Football Booster Club the inaugural year in 2002. He worked the scoreboard and message board at Groppetti Stadium with John Awbrey at the varsity home football games. For Miner Baseball, Jerry was behind the scorer’s table providing music and sound effects for games alongside Ken Hebert. He also had the privilege of announcing the first playoff game of the 2006 baseball season from the newly built press box. He also worked countless hours in the concession stands at many different events. Now, here’s a memorable, and notorious, story about Jerry. El Diamante’s first home Battle for the Saddle game featured pregame introductions, and the players came running onto the field through the mine shaft with fog and music playing. During warmups, the cheerleaders and Miner Ed were in the center of the field dancing to ACDC’s TNT. With his hands on a prop dynamite plunger, Miner Ed pressed down on the plunger at the end of the song, and BOOM, all the stadium lights at the Mineral King Bowl go off. Total darkness. And it was epic. Well, guess who flipped the switch? And it took 15 minutes to get the lights back on. But so worth it. And we totally dominated GW that night. Thanks to Jerry. So thank you Jerry for your dedication and commitment to El Diamante. It is my honor and privilege to induct you into the EDHS Hall of Fame.
NANCY POWELL
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
As presented by Drew Sorensen... Nancy was born in San Francisco and grew up just south of there in San Bruno. After high school she attended California State University Chico , graduating in 1972 with a degree in English. She and Jim married that same year. Also that year, she began her teaching career. In 1979 they moved to Visalia. Jim became the band director at the newly opened Golden West High School- a position he held for 33 years. From 1979-1994, Nancy taught at Fairview, Crestwood, and Valley Oak Middle School. She began her administrative career in 1994 as a Learning Director at La Joya Middle School, as part of the admin team to open that new school. From 1996-1999 she served as the district’s Gifted and Talented Education Coordinator. In 1999 she returned to La Joya as principal. In 2002, she eagerly accepted the opportunity to be part of the team to open a new high school, serving as Associate Principal alongside Drew Sorensen. In 2006 she became principal at Golden West High School, where her boys had attended and her husband still led the band. She retired from Golden West in 2012 and moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to be closer to her grandchildren. Nancy and Jim have been married for 52 years. They have two sons, Dr. Nathan Powell, a trauma surgeon at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, and Dr. Bryan Powell, a music professor at Montclair State University in New Jersey. They have five grandchildren: Natalie, Ellison, Norah, Beckett, and Liam and a very small but bossy dog named Joey. It is with great pleasure that I stand before you to honor the amazing Nancy Powell to the class of 2024 El Diamante Hall of Fame.
DREW SORENSEN
PRINCIPAL
- First Principal and Guiding Force to set the Foundation for EDHS - Served EDHS 2002-2007 - Principal/Pirate/King/Cowboy - Making Miners Mathematical - Star Extravaganza - Posting API Scores - Demanded Excellence
YVETTE CARR
MINER FOUNDATION
- Served EDHS 2002-2012 - Parent Volunteer - Miner Foundation Treasurer - Football Booster Member - Concessions Expert - EDHS Miner Utility Player - Team Mom to everyone!
MIKE TACKETT
MUSIC DIRECTOR
- Served EDHS 2004-2014 - Band Director - Orchestra Director - Musical Director - Director of The 4 Time Division 4A State Championship Marching Band - 2012 - 3rd place Marching Band in the State Overall - 9 time Visalia Band Review Grand Sweepstakes winning group - Nationally Recognized Band and Orchestra Programs - Over 40 Superior ratings for Bands and Orchestras
JOHN SORBER
MUSIC DIRECTOR
- Served EDHS 2002-2016 - Established the Music Department at El Diamante - Orchestra, choir, band and drama for 2 years - El Diamante Teacher of the Year 2003 - TKMEA Choral Educator of the Year 2006 - CMEA Central Section Choral - Educator of the Year 2006 - Crystal Apple Award for excellence in teaching 2014 - Multiple consecutive Command Performances at Fresno State Invitational, Choral Festivals - Concert Choir received Superior ratings and Gold metals at every festival it participated in during his tenure - Performed at the 2007 CMEA Convention with Concert Choir
GREG FLENORY
ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
- Served EDHS 2002-2017 - Athletic Director - No pool until 2007 - Miner Combine - Weight Training Expectation - 10 Saddle Wins - 10 Paddle Wins - 60 League Champions - 14 Individual Valley Champions - 22 Team Valley Champions - 7 All sports Trophies
MARK ROGERS
FOOTBALL COACH / PE TEACHER
- Served EDHS 2002-2018 - Head Football Coach - P.E. Teacher/Department Chair - Mentor to all - Unmatched Weight program - extended to all sports - 10 Battle for the Saddle Wins - 8 League Championships - 2 Valley Championships
