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SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Redlands High School extended its record for San Bernardino County Mock Trial championships to 16 on Saturday, January 18 as it defeated Rancho Cucamonga in the 38th annual competition.

The victory marked Redlands’ fifth title in the past seven years as it advances to the state competition in March in Los Angeles.

For Rancho Cucamonga of the Chaffey Joint Union High School District, it was the team’s first time reaching the finals in the competition.

Presiding Superior Court Judge Michael Sachs congratulated both teams for their knowledge and determination during the two rounds of the finals held at the Foothill Law and Justice Center. County Superintendent Ted Alejandre also congratulated both teams for their spirited competition.

Approximately 450 students representing 32 high school teams have participated in the Mock Trial competition this year. This year’s case was the People v. Matsumoto, a murder case. The county Mock Trials competition is co-sponsored by the San Bernardino County 

Superintendent of Schools and the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office.

Under the direction of coach Donna St. George, team members for Redlands include: Julia Baroi, Santino Calvanico, Vidushi Dwivedi, Hailey Farrokhi, Isabella Farrokhi, Lauren Garcia, Ashlynn Lenertz, Alison Marshall, Emma Moralez, Luca Moralez, Anagha Nambisan, Ria Perencksik, Jude Rafter, Matthew Risley, Shaida Shahmohammady, Jackson Shamp and Neha Vijay. For Rancho Cucamonga and coach Arik Boles, team members are: Sebastian Bendezu, Anelly Brown, Brendan Carbone, Brian Donaldson, Riley Espaerza, Alexis Gamboa, Dylan Gono, Zane Gonzalez, Laila Khalilieh, Soffee Khalilieh, Uesli Kuli, Eisen Loc, Jett Otska, Karam Oumran, Lauren Roushin, Devon White and Ophelia White.

The 40th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast, hosted by the Inland Empire African American Churches (IECAAC), theme  this year is “ Inland Empire 40^th Year Celebration & Liberation!” “The Best of the Best”!” We are inviting  the entire community to come celebrate 40 years of this event occasion,  from its inception in 1980, by  seven forward thinking individuals whose brilliant idea, has now become an Inland Empire legacy.  Amina Carter, Ratibu Jacocks*, Valerie Pope Ludlam*, Vivian Nash*, Sharon Cooper*, Robert Rochelle*, and Maria Brashear* and their families will be saluted at the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast, traditionally held the third Monday, in the month of January, this year on the 20^th of 2020 at the California State University, Coussoulis Arena, San Bernardino, CA 92407 at 7:30 a.m.

A promenade entrance lead by our only remaining founder Amina Carter and family members of  founding members who are now with our ancestors will open our ceremony activities. This year’s breakfast is a tribute to  some unforgettable people, with a historical slide show of our infamous Martin Luther King Jr. Statue, and immediately following  the breakfast our wreath commemoration at the San Bernardino City Hall statue! 

This year will also mark the 20^th Anniversary of the Inland Empire African American Churches, who now continue to host the breakfast. The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast is always an engaging atmosphere of unity in which elected officials, corporate businesses, professionals, faith-based entities and churches, community organizations and residents honor a legacy whose principles transformed the world.

In the last 40 years this event has grown tremendously and exceeded capacity at the arena of over 750 persons.  It is a community affair that is valued and treasured by numerous persons who calendar  the event, participate  and bring their families for a generational experience which they share every year.

This year’s keynote speaker is the renowned Dr. Dwight Radcliff, M.Div PH.D , Founding Pastor of the Message in Gardena CA.  A graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary, A contributing author for Urban Ministries, an international speaker and he is considered to be an insightful powerful preacher.

We especially would like to invite you to support our annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast. We welcome your attendance and hope that you will continue this annual celebration or begin a new tradition for your family. Music, entertainment food for your mind and soul, all a part of the morning’s festivities.                                                                                           

Sponsorship over the years has been invaluable, each year corporate & community entities are selected and requested to provide assistance. If you desire to be a vendor or place an ad in the souvenir booklet deadlines are approaching fast .   

To confirm your commitment, please contact Beverly Jones Wright, Chairperson at (909) 434-6583 or (909) 474-7036

By Dianne Anderson

For those who know Mary Haynes, or anyone else who asks, her story is no secret. Wherever she goes, she readily shares her painful past in hopes that someone can benefit from her missteps, and learn the way out.

Haynes, who performed professionally as an R&B artist, got off the musical and spiritual path that she grew up within the church, only to end up trapped in a decades-long battle with drug abuse. Now clean for 15 years, she understands what led to the dark places and what it takes to escape  the depths of a 28-year addiction.

The biggest part of what got her through her struggle for sobriety is that she never denied her faith, she said. Many people didn’t know that she was on drugs.

“My life is a story I tell everywhere I go,” she said. “I was never a closet person, but I always let everyone know that I loved the Lord, that I was just going through a struggle.”

Today, she gives back what she’s learned and gained in her journey through song and praise. Everything around her life, especially the hard times, has strengthened her dedication to gospel music. She writes most of the songs she sings, and says it’s the place where she finds comfort.

She sings her life.

“A lot of things that I’ve done, and the places that I’ve been, that’s what my psalms are about,” she said, adding that she wrote “I Got to Make it Somehow” to shed light on her way back to sobriety.

She tried all kinds of methods to break free, she said, “When a person has been on drugs, no matter what you do it’s not going to work. No matter how much your family fights for you.”

Once her mind was made up, she was able to emerge. In December 2004, she woke up one morning resolute. She wanted her parents to see her free.

“You name it, I’ve been through it. I always share my story and I think that’s why God continues to bless me, elevate me and move me,” she said.

On January 18, Haynes is the guest psalmist at a special event where justice activist Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II is featured speaker at a free Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration. Hosted by Ephesians New Testament Church and the city of Fontana, the event will be held at 3:00 p.m. at Westside Baptist Church, located at 15006 Randall Ave. Seating is limited, call (909) 823-2319 for tickets.

Haynes has known Pastor James Emory and his wife since her early teens, and she is delighted to participate at the upcoming event.

“I’m definitely looking forward to it, I love Dr. King,” she said. “He stood for the rights of everybody.”

Haynes started singing in the church at six years old, where her late father, who passed away two years ago, was a renown pastor. Her father had later hired her to play for the choir. She was a quick study, and a natural. Even as a child, people would come around her to hear and see her play.

But much of her psalms and message today revolves around the harder spaces, and how she has been released from bondage through Christ.

These days, she said being church psalmist carries responsibility. She guides the rhythm of the church, assists the pastor who shepherds the church, and helps directs the flow of service. She keys into the anointing of the Spirit, and praise is the highest calling.

She said it’s all about winning is souls and for the people to find comfort to return back to God. She also prepares for service by arranging whatever songs she may have planned to sing, which she usually doesn’t know until the last minute.

“Sometimes you have to wait till you get there. The Spirit will flow and you have to find out what the church needs,” she said. “I still can’t explain it, the anointing comes over me.”

She counts it her greatest privilege to share the Gospel, and use her talents to reach the hard to reach, some who are no doubt dealing with the same struggle that is behind her.

“I know a lot of people, and people that I bump into in church. A lot of people are gone, and I’m still here. I’m on a mission, I understand my ministry now,” she said.

UPLAND, CA – National Football League linebacking legend Dick Butkus paid a surprise visit to Upland High School on Monday to present his namesake award to Highlander standout Justin Flowe.

One of the most heralded linebackers to come out of California in recent years, Flowe can now add Butkus Award winner to an impressive resume that includes his ranking as the top linebacker recruit in the nation.

Flowe was unaware that Butkus was on campus or that he had even won the award – given to the top high school linebacker in the country. When the moment arrived, in a quickly arranged ceremony at the high school library, Flowe was stunned, but grateful – and showed the humor and grace that have marked his four years at Upland High.

“I thought I’d gotten in trouble,” he said of getting pulled out of class earlier in the day, only to find his parents, teammates, coaches and staff all waiting for him.

Butkus, whose Hall of Fame career with the Chicago Bears earned him the distinction as one of the fiercest competitors ever to have played the game, said the choice was easy.

“Justin completely ran away with the award,” he said. “I would be honored to play with a guy like this.”

Where Flowe will play next is unclear; he’s still determining where he will go to college.

“Wherever he goes, that school will be getting an extraordinary player, and an awesome kid,” said John McNally, Upland High’s athletic director.

Justin’s father, Johnny, said he knew at an early age that his son had a gift for football.

“He was so intimidating at the age of 9 that the other teams (in youth football) would refuse to play if he played,” Mr. Flowe said.

The Butkus Award was instituted in 1985 by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando, and is given annually to the top linebackers at the high school, college and professional levels. Although the award recognizes prowess on the playing field, winning it is about more than football, Butkus said.

“I like to see their excitement and sincerity about winning the award,” the former linebacker said. “We hope that he understands that ‘OK, I’m the best of the best but I have a responsibility to give back to other people.’”

Flowe said he appreciates the opportunity.

“Thank you for giving me this award. It’s really a blessing. God’s watching over me.”

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) recently launched its San Bernardino Community College-funded Promise Program providing more students with access to a college education. Students receive two years of free college, free textbooks, $300 cash for school expenses and the use of a laptop to complete coursework or online classes.

“The program provides the opportunity for students in the Inland Empire to continue their education with resources available to them to accomplish their goals,” said SBVC Dean of Student Equity and Success Carmen Rodriguez. “Many of the students in the program are first generation college students, low income or come from single parent households and many do not have support in the home. We provide the motivation, support and, most of all, the opportunity for them to accomplish their goals.”

The program, which required students to apply by August 1, saw 1,316 students from across the Inland Empire apply to take advantage of the new program. The bulk of students, 127, 108 and 102, came from Rialto, Pacific and Cajon high schools, respectively. Large numbers of students from San Bernardino (94), Eisenhower (89), Colton (88), Citrus Valley (88), Indian Springs (83), Carter (82), San Gorgonio (79), Grand Terrace (60) and Bloomington (51) high schools also applied for the program.

Funding for the Promise Program is provided through a $10 million endowment established by the district last fall.

To participate next year, students should complete a Promise Application, campus application and Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). No minimum grade point average or essay is required to apply and the program is available to students studying any major and for the completion of certificate, associate of arts or transfer coursework.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— San Bernardino Valley College is proud to usher in distinguished graduates to the Alumni Association and Athletics Halls of Fame, each recognized for their prize-winning accomplishments and service to the community. SBVC Foundation Board President Beverly Powell said the Foundation is honored to partner with the Athletics department to laud the achievements of SBVC alumni and former student-athletes.

“The opportunity to showcase some of Valley College’s best ‘success stories’ not only helps the Foundation raise funds necessary to help students achieve their dreams – but events highlighting our alumni also help inspire our current SBVC students to envision their own success and believe their own dreams are possible,” she said.

Inducted into the SBVC Alumni Association Hall of Fame is Dr. Louie F. Rodríguez, interim dean of the Graduate School of Education at UC Riverside. He received recognition for being a catalyst for many academic initiatives to benefit the community. He also serves as Bank of America chair in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Practice in the UCR Graduate School of Education. Among numerous awards and various posts, Dr. Rodriguez is also the Founding Director of the Center for Educational Transformation at UCR. His educational foundation began at SBVC. Later transferred to California State San Bernardino, where, as a McNair Scholar, he focused on research to help historically marginalized students.

From there, Dr. Rodriguez became a high school math teacher, and holds two master’s degrees, along with a Ph.D in Administration, Planning and Social Policy from Harvard University. With his first years at SBVC campus, he recalls the indelible impact of a caring guidance counselor, Laura Gomez. He feels the primary objective for all students is to make the most of their academic goals, while never forgetting about what’s most important in life.

“Students, know who you are, identify a mentor, get connected to programs, dream big, surround yourself with excellence, and be a leader. After you graduate from SBVC, always find ways to give back to your community,” says Dr. Louie F. Rodríguez.

Inducted into the SBVC Athletics Hall of Fame are Kenneth Blumenthal, Michael Sola, Stan Sanchez, Eric Swanson, and 1982 SBVC Championship Football Team. Each of these athletes are acknowledged for both dedicating themselves to excellence in their sport, and also for their impact on the community and students. 

Former San Bernardino Valley College coach Kenneth Blumenthal has run the ball from the early days as captain of the Eisenhower High School football team in Rialto, and later as a student-athlete at San Bernardino Valley College. Through his journey, Blumenthal credits close friends, colleagues and faith for support through his remarkable athletic career at SBVC, where, under Head Coach Bob Smith, he set an unrivaled three-decade record for the most tackles in one season.

Following great success at the local campus, a football scholarship paved the way to Long Beach State, where Blumenthal earned his bachelor’s in recreation, and another Bachelor’s in kinesiology. He also holds a teaching credential from California State University, San Bernardino. Among his many posts, Blumenthal served at Rialto Frisbee Junior High and his alma mater Eisenhower High School. He also holds a Master’s degree from Azusa Pacific University, and coached track in 1988 until he became full-time Defensive Coordinator/Head Track Coach in 1990. He is unmatched for conference championships. No other head coach has taken home as many wins as Blumenthal at SBVC, to which he acknowledges colleagues and coaches that have backed him along the way.

“The reason Valley College has produced so many championships is because, for the most part, our athletes are just plain tougher than most of our competition,” said Blumenthal. “Many of the student-athletes who come to Valley have faced tough times, but they are overcomers. They are thankful, respectful and proud to be here. I loved working to help them make their dreams come true.”

To read the current list of SBVC Athletic Hall of Fame inductees, visit www.sbvcathletics.com. For a list of current Alumni Hall of Fame inductees, visit www.sbvcalumni.org/HOF.

On Sunday, December 22, the Young Women’s Empowerment Foundation (YWE) had the pleasure of treating youth from CHORDS to a Holiday Lunch in appreciation for all the dedicated and committed work that the founder of CHORDS, Edwin Johnson Jr., does for the community.

On Saturday, December 21, Kappa Alpha Psi gave back to the community by partnering with God’s Pantry. The two organizations paired up to give away food at Fontana Middle School.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— Damon Alexander, S B City Council Candidate and Cannabis advocate, Lanny Swerdlow,  were guests on the “Empire Talks Back” (ETB) radio broadcast. The thought provoking conversations are available on most podcast carriers, including iHeart Radio.

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ETB is broadcast live each Sunday morning at 10:00 on KCAA 1050 AM, 102.3 and 106.5 FM, streaming live video via www.kcaaradio.com.

If you would like to be a guest on ETB, call Porscha at (909) 384-8131.

By Naomi K. Bonman

When perseverance, patience and faith work together, they all pay off for good! The highest paid woman football player, Santia Deck, just signed a multi-million-dollar contract with the Women’s Football League of America (WFLA).

She announced the good news via LinkedIn on Wednesday, December 11.

“I signed a multimillion-dollar contract with the WFLA!” she explains. “This still doesn’t feel real to me. I was told a few months ago that I wasn’t going to make the Olympic team for rugby because I wasn’t “developed” enough because I put my body and mind through the ringer in preparation for a USA tryout. I was so exhausted and burnt out by the time I finally got a chance to compete in front of the USA coach I had nothing left; It was the worst performance of my life!”

After that ordeal, Deck stated that she started questioning her worth, her abilities and even God. It took her awhile to pull herself out of the slump, but to her dismay, He was preparing her for something BIGGER. And that something bigger was to make history and to solidify her family and future kids’ futures. 

“I didn’t understand at the time what God was doing, all I could see was I had failed, again, and I was broken. I’m so glad I got on my knees that night and told God ‘I surrender, I don’t know what is happening, but I trust you and I give you the reigns over my life’“ because when I did, my life changed forever. Thank you, Lord, for never leaving,” Deck explained.

This story is a true testament to never give up on your ultimate goal. When they try to tell you that you are not “experienced” enough (when you actually are) or that you lack something, just remember that something much bigger is stirring in the pot that you just can’t see yet. What is not for you at the current time is not for you, but what IS for you right now IS for you. Keep striving. What one doesn’t see in you, the next one does.