Latest news with #Wadley
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Auburn football lands 2026 four-star EDGE Jaquez Wilkes, the No. 7 recruit from Alabama
The Auburn Tigers scored a major recruiting win Monday by landing one of the top players from its home state. Jaquez Wilkes, a four-star EDGE from Wadley High School in Wadley, Alabama, announced Monday that he is pledging to Auburn, choosing the Tigers over Texas A&M, Alabama, Florida State, and Miami. "Pretty much (Auburn) being home for me and me being comfortable. I can thrive there," Wilkes said of his decision to commit to Auburn via iSchool Sports Network. Wilkes becomes Auburn's top commitment for the 2026 class, jumping Hezekiah Harris, a fellow four-star in-state EDGE rusher. He also becomes the Tigers' 11th commitment for the 2026 class, an its fifth four-star pledge, joining Harris, quarterback Peyton Falzone, linebacker Adam Balogoun-Ali, and offensive tackle Wilson Zierer. Auburn's 2026 haul is beginning to return to relevancy after a spell of decommitments by blue-chip prospects. Wilkes is the eighth player to commit to Auburn since June 9, joining the likes of Falzone, Zierer, and offensive tackle Nikau Hepi. Wilkes is the No. 7 player from Alabama for the 2026 cycle, and is the No. 10 EDGE according to 247Sports. Auburn has now snagged two of the state's top 10 players for 2026, as Wilkes joins No. 8 Hezekiah Harris by pledging to Auburn. Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Four-star EDGE Jaquez Wilkes commits to Auburn football
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Auburn football, Hugh Freeze nab blue-chip commitment in 2026 linebacker Jaquez Wilkes
AUBURN — It appears Auburn football is finally stringing together some victories — on the recruiting trail, at least. After landing a commitment from Auburn legacy Wilson Zierer last week, Hugh Freeze and the Tigers got their second blue-chip pledge in two weeks Monday, as four-star linebacker Jaquez Wilkes committed to the program. Wilkes, an in-state product from Wadley, chose the Tigers from a group of five finalists that included Alabama, Florida State, Miami and Texas A&M. A consensus four-star prospect, Wilkes is now the highest-rated player in Auburn's 2026 class, based on 247Sports' composite ratings. A two-way standout at Wadley, Wilkes rushed for 1,792 yards and 22 touchdowns last fall. He also registered 104 total tackles and three tackles for loss. Based on 247's recruiting calculator, Wilkes' pledge should boost Auburn's seat in the national rankings 10 spots, from No. 75 to 65th. It still remains 15th among its SEC peers, coming in ahead of Missouri. Adam Cole is the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached via email at acole@ or on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @colereporter. To support Adam's work, please subscribe to the Montgomery Advertiser. This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Auburn football lands commitment from 2026 LB Jaquez Wilkes
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
More than 600 homeless children have boarded this eye-catching bus. Here's why it matters
The school bus doors opened for 5-year-old Ashley, dressed in a pink and purple puffer jacket, as pebble-sized snowflakes pelted the parking lot pavement. On the early April morning, the young girl was met with a burst of warmth — upbeat music played from a portable speaker and bright colors festooned the interior. Ashley immediately sat on a plush stool to draw with an orange marker, her beaded hair gracing her forehead as she quietly scribbled. Not far behind, the little feet of Wadley, Esther and Emmanuel all climbed the bus steps. Parked for the morning at a Shrewsbury motel being used by the state as an emergency assistance shelter for homeless families with children, this isn't a typical yellow school bus — it's a traveling classroom. The COLORI Playspace Express, operated by the international nonprofit Amal Alliance, brings early childhood education and social-emotional learning directly to shelters located around the state, including Lexington, Revere, Auburn, Worcester, Marlborough, Shrewsbury, Hudson and Milford. Since its inception last June, more than 600 kids younger than 6 — who otherwise wouldn't have had access to structured learning — have boarded the bus, greeted by friendly teachers and a mecca of toys and activities. Read more: 4 in 5 new students in Mass. public schools are homeless. Here's why The weekly enrichment programming works to 'bring calm and tranquility' to an uncertain, transitional time in these children's lives, Danielle De La Fuente, CEO of the Amal Alliance, said. 'These are the most formative years of their life, the most important for brain development,' she said, noting that many of the kids have experienced varying levels of trauma and are exposed to toxic stress. Esther enjoys coloring inside the COLORI Playspace Express - a mobile daycare for children who are homeless throughout Massachusetts. The COLORI Playspace Express is part of a program that aims to help children who are homeless develop social-emotional regulation. Andrea Lutz (left) and Ashley aboard the COLORI Playspace Express, where children who are homeless can learn about emotions, among other things. The COLORI Playspace Express is a brightly colored mobile classroom program helping to bring social-emotional learning programs to children who are homeless throughout Massachusetts. Wadley (left) and Emmanuel show off their model airplanes in front of teacher Alicia Blair inside the COLORI Playspace Express. Emmanuel gives a thumbs-up inside the COLORI Playspace Express, a mobile classroom for children who are homeless that provides social-emotional learning to children who otherwise would have no access. Wadley shows off the model airplane he built inside the COLORI Playspace Express, a mobile classroom for homeless children throughout Massachusetts. Teacher Andrea Lutz leads the children on a crab walk inside the COLORI Playspace Express, a bus that was converted to a mobile classroom for children who are homeless. Teacher Alicia Blair hosts puppet time inside the COLORI Playspace Express, a school bus that was converted into a mobile classroom for children who are homeless. Dance time is a favorite inside the COLORI Playspace Express for children attending class inside the converted schoolbus. Wadley shows off his smile during his time inside the COLORI Playspace Express which provides children who are homeless access to educational programs. The COLORI Playspace Express has served over 500 children who are homeless throughout Massachusetts in just a few months. The COLORI Playspace Express is a mobile classroom that was converted from a school bus to bring social-emotional learning to children experiencing homelessness who otherwise would not have access to a structured learning environment. Puppet time is an interactive component to the learning program inside the COLORI Playspace Express. Over the last two years, as migrant families flooded Massachusetts and homelessness in general was on the rise, the state had unprecedented numbers of young children residing in its emergency assistance shelters, many of which were contracted hotels and motels. In 2023, Gov. Maura Healey declared a state of emergency when the shelter system reached capacity with 7,500 families enrolled, about 50% migrant families and 50% permanent Massachusetts residents. Public schools in Massachusetts reported nearly 31,000 homeless students during the 2023-2024 school year, 3,000 of whom were 'newly arrived' and residing in the shelter system. The state was faced with the pressing need to provide supports for the children who weren't yet school-aged. Ultimately, officials at the Executive Office of Education and Department of Early Education and Care contracted with the Amal Alliance, which serves displaced children around the world with its evidence-based 'Colors of Kindness' curriculum, to provide structured, trauma-based education on-site at the shelters. Neighborhood Villages and Horizons for Homeless Children are also partners in the initiative. The state pays the full cost of the bus programming. 'I had seen a library bus before, and I said, 'Why don't we just use a bus as a classroom?'' De La Fuente said. 'The space is so inviting and welcoming. It just feels like a safe place for kids to learn, and to laugh, and to play. The kids see the bus and run toward it.' The Boston University School of Social Work is currently studying the traveling classroom program, and 'everything is indicating we are seeing great progress,' she said. Teacher Alicia Blair organized puppets and flower pillows as she waited for her students to board the bus on April 8. They had been to this particular shelter in Shrewsbury several times and affectionately knew the kids who would be joining. Esther had been coming out of her shell, the teachers said. Emmanuel was 'ready for school.' Being able to track the progress is perhaps the most rewarding part of their visits. 'We see a lot of change in focus level,' Blair said. 'When children come on the bus, they're kind of all over the place, distracted by every sight and sound. And by the time we leave, they're able to fully engage and work together. They've gained interpersonal connections and are learning those social skills.' Social skills gained on the bus, she said, can be transferred to other areas of their lives. Read more: Mass. schools boss defies Trump DEI edict, says state will 'continue to promote diversity' Painted on the outside with bright blues, greens and yellows, the bus has been renovated with bench seating, play space and storage for toys and activities. On this particular April morning, the children focused on teamwork. They practiced deep breathing and movement to regulate their bodies and emotions. Wadley and Emmanuel built airplanes. Esther reluctantly — but eventually — performed a 'crab walk.' Ashley colored an 'emotions thermometer,' pairing colors with certain feelings. They each dropped something in the 'sunny day jar,' a collection of drawings depicting what makes them happy. Claude Francois, operations director of the COLORI Playspace Express, drives the bus — giving her a unique vantage point when it pulls into the shelter parking lots. 'It's been tremendous, the kids love it,' Francois said. 'It's a different place to be safe, away from being in the shelter. A space for them to decompress, to have fun and just be a child. You see the difference at the end of the cohort, you see the impact. They develop friends and play together.' The hour-long lessons aboard the bus also give parents their own 'respite,' she said. 'They're going through a lot themselves and trying to get settled,' said Francois. 'If they have to look for housing, go to appointments, or just need to take a breath. Overall, everybody benefits. It supports everybody.' Parents who spoke to MassLive in Haitian Creole through a translator said they're thrilled for the opportunities the bus gives their children. After just one hour spent on it, they said, they see progress in their skills and behavior. One parent said he's used the free hour to attend job interviews. By the time the lesson ended, the snowfall had ceased, and, reflecting the energy inside the bus, the sun was bearing down brightly. The kids scattered back to their motel rooms. Trump admin letter to Harvard sent in error, sparking battle Is Harvard's resistance to Trump igniting a broader movement across higher ed? Trump admin demands Harvard report its foreign investments. Harvard says it has Worcester colleges slam ballot question that would sap their endowments Site plan for new Head Start building on Falcon Drive goes to Planning Board
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
These intersections see highest number of crashes in Midland
MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- The 2024 Traffic Crash Report for the city of Midland released today, showing a 9.39% drop in total crashes. Total crashes, non-injury crashes, injury crashes, total injuries, fatal crashes and total fatalities were down in 2024 (compared to 2023). Despite traffic counts increasing by 3% across the city. The report showed that the interchange at Loop 250 and Andrews Highway remained the highest crash location in Midland. Also, seven of the top-10 crash sites occurred on Loop 250 or interstate roadways. SUMMARY OF CRASHES BY YEAR 2021 2022 2023 2024 Non-injury crashes 1,671 2,022 2,065 1,884 Injury crashes 814 874 963 860 Number of injuries 1,225 1,280 1,365 1,204 Unknown 531 462 518 393 Fatal crashes 23 23 19 18 Number of fatalities 23 24 21 19 Total Crashes 2,691 2,919 3,028 2,744 TOP CRASH LOCATIONS BY NUMBER OF CRASHES # Location 2024 2023 2022 TOTAL 1 Andrews & Loop 250 60 72 90 222 2 Loop 250 & Thomason 31 55 44 130 3 I-20 & Rankin 31 37 37 105 4 Big Spring & Loop 250 30 40 33 103 5 Midkiff & Wadley 29 36 33 98 6 Loop 250 & Midland 27 30 32 89 7 Big Spring and Wadley 23 2 8 33 8 Garfield and Front 21 24 30 75 9 Midkiff and Wall 20 17 16 53 10 Midland and Wadley 20 17 19 56 PEDESTRIANS INVOLVED IN CRASHES BY AGE GROUP Adult (19 and older)= 22.71% Elementary school (6 to 12 yrs.)= 5.16% Jr./ Sr. High School (13 to 18 yrs.)= 4.13% BICYCLISTS INVOLVED IN CRASHES BY AGE GROUP Adult (19 and older)= 10.77% Jr./ Sr. High School (13 to 18 yrs.)= 1.8% Elementary school (6 to 12 yrs.)= 1.8% Preschool age (4 to 5 yrs.)= 1.7% Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
BBC News
08-02-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Scouts and Guides gear up for the Cotswold Marathon
More than 500 Scouts and Girl Guides are to brave the winter chill as they embark on a challenging overnight will set off from Murray Hall in Tuffley, Gloucestershire, for the 52nd annual Cotswold Marathon, a demanding test of endurance, teamwork and orienteering. The event offers three different routes taking teams through the Gloucestershire countryside under the cover of darkness."It's a unique and challenging event," said scout leader Matt Wadley which can take more than 12 hours to complete. Mr Wadley said the camaraderie among participants plays a crucial role in keeping spirits high."You walk in teams of three to five, and they really build each other up. It's an experience that many young people don't typically have, and I think it's that excitement that pushes them through," he called a "marathon," the event is unlike traditional races. Instead, it is divided into three routes, each with checkpoints to track progress. Weather conditions can be unpredictable, but teams are prepared to push on throughout the night. Legacy of adventure The Cotswold Marathon began in 1973 as a winter night hike designed to test navigational skills, physical endurance, and determination."Back then, they didn't have technology or radios," Mr Wadley added. "They relied on phone boxes along the route. One of the organisers would drive between checkpoints, then call his wife at home to relay updates."Today, safety measures have evolved manage checkpoints, ensuring participants are accounted for, while vehicle teams assist those who retire early or complete their section of the credit the event's success to the dedication of volunteers from across Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds.
