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Sunday, June 1, 2008
Quality Bloodlines
Greater Louisville, KY
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The Montano family has success in its pedigree
In Thoroughbred racehorses, owners hope that success will be transferred down the bloodlines. It has been so for a well-bred Kentucky family, chock full of academic and athletic Thoroughbreds: the Montanos.
At the age of one, when his father moved the family from a small town on the Eastern Gulf Coast of Veracruz to Mexico City, Angel O. Montano, Sr. could never have known how important a role horses would play in his life.
Montano’s father worked away at his trade, ultimately becoming a famous tailor, while the young Montano learned to ride horses on his grandparent’s farm and then continued riding in a jockey program.
At the age of 16, school clearly wasn’t for him, so he decided he would race horses in America. After three long days and nights aboard a bus, Montano, Sr. made it to Frankfort, Kentucky, where a man helped him with his Visa and gave him a contract for two years of work.
When a broken ankle put him in a cast for eight months, weight came on quickly, he says. So instead of riding racehorses, he worked around the barn cleaning stalls and learning more about the business and training racehorses, which would ultimately become his life’s work. Right around the corner from the track was a local grocery where he would try out the English words he knew, such as coffee & donuts, eggs and butter.
It was here that he met his future wife, Patricia Wiggington, whose father owned the grocery. They married and before long had produced seven children: Angel Jr., Jose, Antonio, Gloria, Juan, Miguel and Maria. All seven went to college, some on academic and athletic scholarships, and all have produced children, totaling 19 grandchildren. Eight of those grandchildren are currently high school student/athletes.
Mr. Montano, Sr. is proud of his family. “You know, I could have never dreamed this is how it would be. In the beginning, I had to convince Pat’s dad that I come from a good family and that I would provide for her. We just put it together. I give her all the credit that we have the best kids. Everybody in Kentucky knows they are great kids–it all stems from having great mothers.”
Stephanie Montano, wife to Juan and the mother of three grade-school girls, says that the family is constantly together, which has a positive impact on all of them. “Whether they meet up at a cousin’s house, or congregate down at their barn at Churchill Downs, horse racing, the track and family are what the Montano crew is all about. We revolve around it and it plays an important role in each of our lives.”
Gloria Montano Ising, mother and aunt, agrees. “These kids are really good kids. They keep each other out of trouble. We are very blessed.”
Montano children currently in high school range from age 15 to 18, and attend Sacred Heart, Assumption, St.X, Mercy and Jeffersontown High Schools. Between interviews, they played a competitive game of basketball on the family court, laughed, joked around, ate pizza and generally just had a good time with each other. However, they all seemed stumped when asked of their accomplishments. No one could really mention their awards at first, so the others chimed in: “Whitney, remember you are Valedictorian of your class! Joe, tell her about your full academic scholarship to Western Kentucky!” It is almost assumed by all children that making straight A’s, participating in competitive sports while maintaining family life with this huge crew is the norm for teenagers.
Whitney Ising
AGE: 18
PARENTS: Ralph & Gloria Montano Ising
SCHOOL: Sacred Heart Academy
SPORTS: Basketball & Field Hockey: Captain of basketball team; 2 State Field Hockey Titles; McDonalds All American Nominee.
ACADEMICS: Class Valedictorian; National Merit Finalist; Ramsey Academic Scholarship to University of Georgia; Focus will be on International Business
Role Models: My mom was a major role model because she played college basketball at Bellarmine and both of my parents always pushed us to work hard. They always cheered us on to do whatever we set our minds on.
Favorite Moment: When her Basketball team won the Louisville Invitational Tournament.
College Goals: To travel while studying international business and figure out what I ultimately want to do.
Michael Ising
AGE: 15
PARENTS: Ralph & Gloria Montano Ising
SCHOOL: St. Xavier
SPORTS: Basketball & Golf: One of 9 qualifiers to make it to a regional AAU tournament.
ACADEMICS: 4.0 and will continue to strive for straight A’s.
Role Models: My immediate family because my sister is the Valedictorian and my parents are always there for me.
Favorite Moment: Game against Butler where I assisted my friend who scored a 3 at the buzzer.
High School Goals: To play on the Varsity team in both basketball and golf and to win a state ring.
Joseph Montano
AGE: 18
PARENTS: Joe and Kathleen Voor Montano
SCHOOL: St. Xavier
SPORTS: Football and Track; running back; was accepted as 3rd walk on for the WKU football team;
ACADEMICS: 4.0GPA; Full academic scholarship to Western Kentucky
Role Models: “My Uncle Miguel because he outworks everyone; and my mom because she does everything for everyone and does it 100%. Also, my cousins – I love to hang out with them, it’s always competitive, yet fun”
Favorite Moment: “I would say scoring the winning touchdown against Ballard in the opening season game in the final minutes of the game to win it”
College Goals: Plans to major in journalism and to maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher and eventually earn a permanent position on the football team.
Catherine Montano
AGE: 17
PARENTS: Joe and Kathleen Voor Montano
SCHOOL: Mercy Academy
SPORTS: Basketball; Suffered from an ACL injury, forcing her to miss most of last season. Looks forward to 2008/2009 season.
ACADEMICS: 4.0; National Honor Society; Spanish National Honor Society – smiling – “I guess it’s good”
Role Models: My mom. She had a million and one problems of her own, but she never let it show. She was always concerned about others’ well-being. She raised us to be smart and hard working. And, Paige Kaelin ( a senior at Mercy) is also a great influence due to her dedication because she also had an ACL injury, but kept coming back strong.
Favorite Moment: “The entire season because I get to play on the team with my sister, Therese.”
College Goals: Interested in writing and business. Will look at schools offering academic scholarships.
Therese Montano
AGE: 16
PARENTS: Joe and Kathleen Voor Montano
SCHOOL: Mercy Academy
SPORTS: Field Hockey and Basketball;
ACADEMICS: 4.0; National Honor Society; Student Leadership Team; Mercy Recruitment Team.
Role Models: All of my family. They have influenced me to play sports – “our family is run around sports. Without them, it wouldn’t be an aspect of my life”.
Favorite Moment: “When we beat Assumption in basketball at Bellarmine as freshmen. Everyone just came together. It was fun. Also, playing against Whitney because we are both point guards – very fun – very exciting!”
High School Goals: “I hope to continue playing Field Hockey and Basketball for all 4 years, and to win a state championship in one, or possibly both! As for academics, I would like to continue to achieve a 4.0 GPA”.
Michael Montano
AGE: 16
PARENTS: Joe and Kathleen Voor Montano
SCHOOL: St. Xavier
SPORTS: Football – running back;
ACADEMICS: 4.0 last year, but moved into harder classes this year – still making A’s and B’s.
Role Models: “My Parents. I admire them because they raised 4 kids ages 18 to 16. And, my twin sister, Therese is 2 minutes older than me, and she treats me great. She is really great at basketball – my friends always tease me, but she could probably beat us!”
Favorite Moment: Beating Trinity and watching the Varsity team beat them in the regular season with ease.
High School Goals: To earn playing time on the football team; become a starter by senior year;
Morgan Montano
AGE: 15
PARENTS: Antonio and Donna Montano
SCHOOL: Assumption High School
SPORTS: Volleyball
ACADEMICS: 3.89 GPA; Beta Club;
Role Models: Misty May and Kari Walsh – Pro Beach Volleyball players; Stanford and UL Volleyball teams.
Favorite Moment: Making the Assumption Volleyball Team. She is most proud of the fact that she made the team. “I was scared and nervous because everyone kept telling me how hard it would be. My dad helped me get and stay in shape.”
High School Goals: To continue to do my best in school and to make the Varsity Volleyball Team.
Jordan Kimberling
AGE: 16
PARENTS: Scott and Maria Montano Kimberling
SCHOOL: Jeffersontown High School
SPORTS: VarsityTrack Team: Long jump; 400 and 800; team made it to regional’s last year.
ACADEMICS: A’s, B’s and C’s
Role Models: “My family. My grandparents especially since they raised me. Then I moved here into the Montano family in the 7th grade from Wisconsin. They are always supportive of me and welcomed me in with open arms.”
Favorite Moment: “When I made my longest jump at 17.5 feet”
High School Goals: Continue with track and good grades. Hopes to get a scholarship to either Marquette or the University of Texas.
The Montano family was slated to be the subject of the Family Affair section for some time, and this article comes at a time when the family has suffered a major loss--the death of Kathleen Voor Montano: Daughter, Wife to Joe, Mother, friend and Circuit Court Judge. She embodied the true spirit of the Montano family and her selfless and tireless efforts to raise four wonderful children will continue to have a positive influence on the Louisville Community.
Montano by Pool photo ID: (We will adjust cutline if you prefer the one of them in a circle)
Back row left to right is Katherine Montano, Joseph Montano, and Whitney Ising, middle left to right is Morgan Montano, Michael Montano, Therese Montano, Bottom left to right Jordan Kimberling, Michael Ising.
Family Tree/Pedigree”
Angel O. & Patricia Montano
Angel & Debbie
Angel III
Matt
Joe Montano & Kathleen Voor Montano
Joseph
Katherine
Therese
Michael
Tony & Donna Montano
Morgan
McKenzie
Ralph & Gloria Montano Ising
Whitney
Michael
Juan & Stephanie Montano
Jenna
Gabrielle
third
Miguel & Shannon Montano
Sloan
Expecting their 2nd
Maria & Scott Kimberling
Jordan
Mica
Manny
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