Latest news with #BrookeWhite
CBS News
2 days ago
- Lifestyle
- CBS News
West Sacramento track star talks sharing podium with trans athlete amid political spotlight
WEST SACRAMENTO — A West Sacramento teen and track star is speaking out following the scrutiny over a transgender athlete competing in the state finals. President Trump shined a bright political spotlight on the state track and field championships this past weekend over trans athlete AB Hernandez competing in female events. River City High School senior Brooke White ended up sharing that spotlight and a second-place medal with Hernandez in the girls' long jump event. "I'm feeling so much relief," White said. White was back on campus with the silver medal proof of her state finals performance. "I'd say that California really thrives in the track community," White said. "I'd say choosing to join track was one of the greatest things for me because it built a family community for me." After being announced as a co-winner of the second-place medal with Hernandez, White said the two shared a hug with each other. White says the scrutiny surrounding the state finals, with protests over the politics of transgender athletes in female sports and with President Trump singling out the event, did add pressure to the athletes. "It made me really emotional seeing how people could be so hateful to a 16-year-old girl," White said. White says Hernadez's performance inspired her. "It also eased me a lot to talk to AB personally and see how she was handling the situation as a rock star," White said. "Like she PR'd, I'm pretty sure, in all three events." White will be graduating from River City High School on Wednesday. Her next stop is UC San Diego, where she will be competing on the track and field team. She also earned an athletic scholarship. "Overall, I just want to help foster peace and community and acceptance," White said.
New York Times
4 days ago
- General
- New York Times
Trans Athlete in Political Storm Earns, and Shares, First Place in Event
The California athlete at the center of a searing political debate over trans girls' competing in girls' sports went home a winner on Saturday in what is arguably the most competitive state track and field meet in the nation. AB Hernandez, a junior from Jurupa Valley High School in Riverside County, shared first place in the high jump and triple jump, and also shared second in the long jump. Her spot on the awards podium was a sign of how complicated her participation in the competition had become. With President Trump threatening to cut federal funding to the state if the trans girl competed, the event organizer changed the rules just days before the event in hopes of allaying concerns about the fairness of allowing Ms. Hernandez to compete. The athlete who finished behind Ms. Hernandez would be elevated to share her placement. The first awards came after the long jump, and that moment of recognition did not turn out to be awkward or contentious, as some people had feared. The two girls — Ms. Hernandez and Brooke White of River City High School — joked around like any teenage girls would, giving each other an enthusiastic double-handed high-five before they squeezed onto one step of the podium together. Then after both received medals, they put their arms around each other, held their medals out from their chests and smiled for photos. Ms. Hernandez and the event's winner — Loren Webster of Wilson High School — both had leaped more than a foot farther than anyone else in the event. For Ms. Webster, it was a back-to-back state title in the event before she heads off to compete at the University of Oregon. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
CBS News
26-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Crews work through holiday to stabilize Coconut Grove Playhouse after partial collapse
Construction crews spent Memorial Day working to secure the Coconut Grove Playhouse after a partial collapse last week caused by a contractor's mistake, according to Miami-Dade County officials. Beams were installed along the outer walls in an effort to stabilize the historic structure, which is now at risk just two years ahead of its planned 100th anniversary reopening. Former employee reflects on sudden closure Brooke White knows the playhouse well. She shared memorabilia from her time as the Playhouse's "house manager." White says she worked there for about a year and a half and was given about a week's notice when the playhouse closed in 2006. "They pretty much locked it up and wouldn't let anyone else in," White said. "It was very abrupt." "That was where the offices were. Where the apartments were that actors stayed while they were doing their performances," White said. White was startled by what she saw happen to her old workplace. "It looks like the whole third floor just kinda caved in there," White said. Collapse raises concerns about preservation Last month, Miami-Dade County announced it had approved renovations for a reopening. But last Wednesday, the county says the permitted contractor accidentally removed a load-bearing wall on the second floor, causing part of the third floor to collapse. A county spokesperson says no historic architectural elements were damaged. We reached out to the contractor, but did not hear back. The county says the incident will be addressed with the contractor. White says she is glad that the playhouse is coming back but isn't sure if she will recognize it after this partial collapse. "Seeing them put up these beams. I'm very worried that they're not gonna be able to preserve the historic facade. Which was what they were originally going to save," White said. CBS News Miami brought her concerns to the county, but did not hear back. In the meantime, Main Highway will remain closed off as officials stabilize the building. A City of Miami official tells CBS News Miami Main Highway is expected to open up June 5.
