AUSTIN (KXAN) — Former Manor Mustang Tahj Brooks has had an interesting run over the last nine months.

He became the all-time leading rusher in Texas Tech program history and was drafted 193rd overall by the Cincinnati Bengals. However, nothing beats giving back to his “home.”

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“Putting a smile on a kids face, it does a lot for me,” Brooks said. “The Lord blessed me with a lot of talent and blessed me with a face to be inspirational.”

Saturday morning, Brooks hosted his third annual football camp at Manor High School for the youth in Central Texas. The best part? It was free for children grades 5-12.

‘My dad was the loudest guy at every stadium’: Former Westlake baseball star honoring his late father, aiding others

“Just being here and still going just with the NFL and grinding,” the NFL rookie said. “When I kick back on the couch I know that I put on a great camp not just for myself but for my community as a whole because I really love this community. Manor, Texas is home for me, and I’m glad I’m able to do it.”

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Brooks played five seasons with the Red Raiders from 2020-2024, racking up 4,557 yards in 56 games.

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SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Development took on a double meaning at San Diego State University on Sunday. The Mesa Foundation hosted The Big Brothers Big Sisters Youth Basketball Camp, working on all things that help kids succeed in the game.

But the impact goes far beyond the dimensions of a court.

“It feels very fun and it’s great meeting these players because I want to play for the Aztecs some day and they’re inspiring,” said 12-year-old Rayvion Fields.

Rayvion Fields is playing ball with his mentor and the Aztec Basketball Team at the Jeff Jacobs Jam Center at SDSU.

From agility training to dribbling basketballs, this is the start of his dream of playing for the team one day.

“We’re introducing our youth and their mentors to basketball and just doing a unique opportunity providing access to a new sport that maybe they’ve never tried before,” said Tina Rose, the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego County. She said she is overwhelmed with the impact this mentorship opportunity brings to the community.

Every squeak on the floor is the sound of another young life touched with 30 excited “Bigs,” volunteer adults, and “Littles,” mentees ranging from 12 to 17 years old.

“So many benefits from academic to emotional to social and really it’s the same for the mentor. They get as much out of it as often the kids say they do, so they say, you know, without a doubt, that they feel like it’s an enriching experience. It’s a rewarding experience, and we really hope more people will get involved,” Rose said.

Pharaoh Compton is ecstatic to be a role model for these kids. He’s going to be a sophomore with the San Diego State University basketball team.

“I waited a long time for this. To be able to say that kids actually look up to me and actually, you know, look to me for, you know, guidance and not just advice on the court but, you know, off the court as well,” Compton said.

Rayvion is looking up to the players for insight into the game.

“I’ve just been liking them ever since I was young and it’s just, they look like a very good team and I like the coach,” Rayvion said.

These camps are creating connections for years to come.

Perry Area Joint Recreation District is preparing to hire a new youth recreation director.

Mike Smith, who held that full-time position for seven years, “has chosen to take a step back,” said rec district board Chairman Elias Coss.

Smith will remain as an assistant youth recreation director to help ease the transition to a new leader, Coss added.

In the meantime, the rec board has appointed David Whittaker as interim youth recreation director.

Those leadership changes took effect June 28, Coss said.

Whittaker and Marcus Morant had both worked as part-time assistant youth recreation directors under Smith. Morant will continue serving in that capacity alongside Smith, while Whittaker temporarily becomes head of the district’s Youth Recreation Department.

Coss said Smith didn’t officially resign, but instead switched roles with one of his assistants.

“So he just did a swapping off the seats for now, while we do interviews for a new director,” Coss said.

The job opening has been posted on the rec district’s website. Resumes will be accepted until July 31 and should be emailed to mwoltman1958@gmail.com.

Smith was hired as the district’s youth recreation director in June of 2018. He started the job after retiring as a longtime teacher and girls basketball coach at Madison High School.

The rec board hired Smith to replace David Sarosy, who resigned earlier in 2018 to become the city of Willoughby’s program coordinator of parks and recreation.

In a text-message exchange on July 8, Smith said a lot of change has taken place on the rec board and in his personal life.

“I felt it was a good time to step back (from serving as youth recreation director),” he said.

Smith said he believes that two of his previous assistant directors will be applying to succeed him as the district’s head of youth recreation.

“And if one of them is given the job, I told them I would be glad to help out in an assistant’s role,” he said. “If it is someone new, I will most likely step down completely.”

Perry Area Joint Recreation District oversees the community’s youth sports programs and the Perry Senior Center. The district’s board is governed by appointed trustees who represent Perry and North Perry villages, Perry Township and Perry Schools.

Originally Published: July 13, 2025 at 11:58 AM EDT

LIMA, OH (WLIO) – Some bright young stars got a start on their theatre journey. The “Made for the Stage” Youth Theatre Workshop started their classes Sunday afternoon.

The cost-free workshop is an introduction to all things theatre, covering topics like acting, directing, playwriting and much more. This is the fourth year for the workshop, and everyone involved has grown since year number one.

“I mean, the first year, we just kind of threw spaghetti at the wall to see what would stick, and a lot of it did, and it was awesome. Every year we’ve gotten more developed in terms of, like, what the curriculum is and and how best to teach it. My staff is amazing the three of us have been doing it for all four years, and we’ve just gotten better as even just working with these kids and what works best for them, and really tailoring it to like what their needs are, and making sure that what they need is what they’re given,” said Madison Downing, artistic director.

“I think it’s really being a good cast member and being friendly with everybody, that just makes the whole thing even better,” said Abbey Anderson, 4-year participant in the workshop.

The workshop will prepare the students for a showcase performance, including a musical number with all the participants. The showcase will take place on July 27 at Encore Theatre and is open to the public.

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