By Mike West Contributing Writer | San Diego Voice & Viewpoint

When Isaac Cook sprung into action at San Diego State’s passing tournament this past weekend, the fleet wide receiver did not disappoint. Running effortlessly like a gazelle, Cook caught 4 touchdown passes.  From the looks of his highlights on his X page, the Senior from Cathedral Catholic High School is growing into his frame, and he sports a long stride that will benefit his efforts to continue his outstanding high school career. 

According to Max Preps, the flashy route runner emerged onto the scene during his sophomore season in 2024. According to his tracked MaxPreps High School Profile, his sophomore numbers were 54 Receptions; 1,251 Receiving Yards; 13 Touchdowns, averaging 25 Yards Per Catch. 

The 6’ 1” 185-pound Receiver posted his own numbers for his 2025 season on his X page and his production held steady. He Finished the season with 49 Receptions 1,249 Receiving Yards, 12 Touchdowns, and averaged 25.3 Yards Per Reception.

In addition, @AthleteMogul crowned Cook the top high school performer of the week for his scintillating 6 catches for 175 yards and 2 touchdowns as the Dons defeated Helix on September 24, 2025. Cook was instrumental in Cathedral Catholic’s run to the San Diego Section Division Championship appearance.

Not only is he gifted — he also clockeda 10.48 100-meter dash time in May 2025. Cook is a smooth route runner, and he is faster than he looks. He makes it easy for his quarterback to deliver a strike. Cook has strong hands and shows the capability to catch tough passes in traffic.

One of his best characteristics is that he focuses on catching the ball before shifting into high gear — he is a clutch receiver. Cook is elusive after the catch and explosive once the ball is in his hands.

Those skills were noticed throughout the West. The three-star recruit received offers from Cal, Boise State, New Mexico, Colorado State, Fresno State, Wyoming, Nevada, and Utah State before he committed to San Diego State on May 31st.

I suspect young Mr. Cook will ascend further once he graces San Diego County’s football fields this fall. Congratulations to Isaac Cook — an emerging star and part of the Mountain West’s No. 1 2027 recruiting class at San Diego State.

 You can see a good sample of his highlights on his X page here.

Based on reporting by San Diego Voice & Viewpoint.

Source

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

Earlier in 2022, representatives from Regions Bank, the PGA TOUR, historically Black Miles College, and others gathered at the Roebuck Hawkins Park and Recreation Center and municipal golf course in Birmingham, Alabama, for a panel discussion exploring diversity, representation, and access in golf.

The goal of that scantily publicized meeting was to get more Black youth onto the golf course.

Such efforts that receive little national attention might not necessarily be unfavorable.

On the contrary, it might pose as routine, particularly for Tour officials who have long made diversity, equity, and inclusion a primary goal.

The Tour has partnered with organizations like the 100 Black Men of America in its ongoing efforts.

In 2020, the PGA TOUR established a five-year partnership with the organization to help 100 Black Men of America to enhance educational and economic opportunities for African American and minority residents and communities.

According to the Tour’s latest diversity report, nearly 1,000 youth have benefited in two years from resources and programming that promote career and workforce readiness, financial literacy, community service, and golf.

Following Commissioner Jay Monahan’s 2020 announcement, committing a minimum of $100 million over ten years to supporting nonprofits that advance equity in the communities in which the PGA Tour plays, the Tour joined the 3M Open as a presenting sponsor of the “Be The Change” golf tournament in Minneapolis.

The 3M Open hosted a series of events during its 2022 tournament.

They welcomed 500 youth from the Minneapolis and St. Paul area to the tournament to enjoy golf, music, art, and discussions with local and national celebrities, sports figures, golf enthusiasts, and corporate leaders.

Additionally, the tournament hosted a “Shark Tank” style business competition presented by a local sponsor that featured three finalists selected from nearly 50 applicants that pitched their businesses to a panel of business leaders before a live audience.

Grants totaling $100,000 were awarded to assist the finalists with mentoring, business development, and networking resources.

Golf also returned to Florida’s oldest HBCU, Edward Waters University.

THE PLAYERS Championship granted $50,000 to Waters’ women’s golf program, which helped support the school’s launch of a Student-Athlete Golf Mentoring Program.

The program counts as a dual-purpose initiative that engages student-athletes to serve as mentors in unique professional development environments – including exposure to career opportunities within the Tour and THE PLAYERS network – and off-campus volunteer experiences with community-based programs.

Further, after being inspired by a global awakening toward race relations in the United States following the 2020 murder of George Floyd, the Tour announced a $100 million commitment over ten years to support racial equity and inclusion efforts.

In delivering the Tour’s diversity, equity, and inclusion report, Monahan proudly announced that they’d achieved more than $40 million in charitable impact in just two years since the pledge.

“On the road toward that aggressive goal, we’ve spent the necessary time listening to understand,” Monahan stated.

“There isn’t a single solution or one-size-fits-all approach to addressing social inequities and injustices.

“Experiences differ. Issues are complex. And we must invest more than dollars in becoming a true and effective resource.”

Monahan noted that he’s grateful that the Tour is “uniquely structured in sports to bring our tournaments and corporate partners together to help organizations drive vital equity efforts.”

The diversity, equity, and inclusion report include a breakdown of the Tour’s priorities. The charitable impact for health and human services counted for $12.7 million, while $8.9 million have gone toward youth development.

Additionally, racial equity and social justice reform reaped approximately $7.5 million, and community economic growth and empowerment realized a $5.5 million impact because of the effort of the Tour and its partners.

In January, the PGA TOUR received a score of 95/100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index, becoming the first major sports organization ever included.

Since its inception, the PGA Tour reportedly has generated more than $3 billion in charitable impact. Monahan said the investments directly result from the support of partners, players, sponsors, fans, volunteers, and communities.

In 2014, the PGA Tour adopted a strategic plan, “formalizing a long-held commitment to diversity efforts that strengthen its workforce, operators, and industry.”

Monahan then “convened a task force of leaders across the organization to assess its progress and identify specific actions, initiatives, and opportunities that reflect its core values,” PGA Tour officials stated.

The PGA Tour and Advocates Pro Golf Association Tour (APGA) launched the APGA Collegiate Ranking in 2021, providing exemptions for five African American golfers to play on the APGA Tour and the pre-qualifying stage of the Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying Tournament.

The Tour has provided $500,000 to HBCUs and its affiliation with the APGA Collegiate Ranking.

“As former Commissioner Deane Beman once stated, the PGA TOUR is ‘more than just a sports league; we are a public trust,’” Monahan said.

“With that as our North Star, our success as an organization is through a long-held commitment to showcasing the world’s best players to fans around the world, always with an impact on local lives, communities, and economies.”

By Erica Wight

The Birmingham Promise Initiative, launched this summer to build pathways into quality jobs for Birmingham City School (BCS) students, came to a successful conclusion last week, said city officials.

Last week, 23 BCS students finished their apprenticeships at companies across the metro area and the program had an impact, said Mayor Randall Woodfin and Councilors on Tuesday.

“There’s now more work to do to make sure that many more high school students can participate in this program, so I’m proud of the success of the pilot but . . . I’m looking forward to engaging parents directly, students directly and employers about these opportunities and so to employers,” Woodfin said.

“Our economy is changing and you all talk about your gaps in workforce, here’s an opportunity to close that workforce gap . . . our parents need to know these options exist before their children walk across the stage and to our children who have the passion, as a city we’re here to support your dreams and make them come true before you walk across the stage.”

Councilor John Hilliard said during Tuesday’s council meeting, “We must change our direction of how we deal with education . . . we have to meet the demand the corporate community is asking. A four-year education is important but it’s not the only way to go . . . I think it’s important we instill in our young people a different type of work ethic and give them the opportunity on the front end rather than the back end to make things happen.”

The seven-week summer pilot is part of the larger Birmingham Promise Initiative, which will offer multiple pathways for Birmingham students to “earn and learn” as they develop skills to prepare for jobs in industries that are growing in the regional economy.

The inaugural apprenticeships involved a vocational education component and work-based learning opportunities that were guided by a mentor. The pilot was complemented by the City of Birmingham’s partnership with Southern New Hampshire University, a national leader in delivering digital education to youth, the Jefferson County Commission on Economic Opportunity (JCCEO) and the city’s Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity.

Councilor Wardine Alexander said the Birmingham Promise prepares students to be college and career ready.

“When I served on the Board of Education, I had the pleasure to shake the hands of every student who graduated from the City of Birmingham… I think the mayor will remember we had one board member who would always ask the students as they were going through the line, ‘what’s your next goal’ and often students were not able to tell us what their goal was or what they were going to do,” said Alexander.

Birmingham Promise gave students the opportunity to work with Fortune 500 companies, earn a salary and have an idea of what they were going to do, Alexander said.

Council President Valerie Abbott, who attended graduation ceremony for the students along with Mayor Randall Woodfin, Alexander and Hilliard, said she was inspired by the students.

“Just to see those young people, they were full grown adults and doing those jobs, it was very impressive,” said Abbott. “We do need more people in the corporate community, but businesses of any kind can use an intern. It doesn’t have to be a corporation… we have so many students to benefit from that opportunity and only a handful got to participate in this pilot. We need hundreds of businesses to take on these young people so they can learn. I was just inspired by the quality of the young people and how inspired they were and their level of enthusiasm was just wonderful. I think we all need to encourage as many businesses as we can to participate.”

The following employers participated in the Birmingham Promise pilot program this summer:

• Alabama Futures Fund
• Alabama Power Company
• Altec
• Baptist Princeton
• BIG Communications
• Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Brasfield & Gorrie
• Encompass Health
• HOAR Construction
• Mayer
• Pack Health
• Protective
• Renasant Bank
• Regions
• Shipt
• Spire
• Vincent’s
• Theranest
• UAB
• Vulcan Materials

This article originally appeared in The Birmingham Times.

By Anita Debro

“You Had Me at Hello’’ highlights married couples and the love that binds them. If you would like to be considered for a future “Hello’’ column, or know someone who would, please send nominations to Erica Wright at [email protected]. Include the couple’s name, contact number(s) and what makes their love story unique.

ADRIAN AND STARSHA RHINEHART

Live: Calera

Married: March 23, 2019.

Met: Adrian and Starsha met in 2007 when they both worked at a pharmaceutical warehouse in Pelham. “We would cross paths at work but we never dated,” said Starsha, a native of Jemison. Starsha eventually left that job. In 2016 Adrian, who grew up in Alabaster, said he received a friend suggestion from Facebook for Starsha and he accepted it.

“I saw her face and I remembered she was a pretty girl,” Adrian said. A few days later, Starsha said she sent him a message and they started talking. After a few conversations, Starsha suggested they meet up for a date.

First date: Adrian and Starsha met up at Chow Time Chinese restaurant in Hoover. “I liked her attitude and her spiritual relationship with God,” Adrian said. Starsha said she felt Adrian was special even before the date. “I knew he was going to be my husband,” she said. “But I still prayed on it.”

Starsha said she liked that he was a “Godly man . . . I knew he was not the typical guy and he was looking for love,” she said.  Adrian said he and Starsha dated for a few months before the relationship became serious.

Previous relationships: Adrian had been married before and Starsha said she had been in a few relationships that did not work. He said the couple took it slow. “I wasn’t sure I wanted to be married or in a serious relationship again,” he said. “I wanted to be sure that if I did, that it was true love.”

The proposal: On Valentine’s Day 2018, Adrian took Starsha to a photo studio to take pictures. “I just thought it was a regular photo shoot,” Starsha said. But Adrian had other plans.  Starsha said the photographer told her to do a pose, but then told her that pose wasn’t working. When she turned around towards Adrian he was on bended knee. “I was really shocked. I could not believe that that was happening,” she said. Adrian said he had decided around New Year’s Day that year that he was ready to pop the question. “I finally had the nerve to do it,” he said.

The wedding: The couple married at Jemison City Hall in front of about 200 people.  The wedding included 24 people in the bridal party. “I remember being nervous and excited at the same time,” Adrian said. Adrian sung “Stand by Me” and surprised her with a horse and carriage ride. Starsha said her wedding day was a “dream come true” made possible by her wedding coordinator, Shevelle Brown.

Words of Wisdom: Couples should put God first, Starsha said. “God should be the foundation of the relationship.” Adrian agreed. He said that people who are wary of being in a relationship after a failed attempt should “trust in God. Anything is possible.”

“If a relationship is meant to be, it will happen,” Starsha said.

Happily ever after: Starsha, the mother of a 6-year-old from a previous relationship, recently started working as a corrections officer for Alabama Therapeutic Educational Facility in Columbiana.  Adrian is a crane operator at Glidewell Specialties Foundry in Calera. The couple enjoy dining out and especially enjoy getting dressed up for elegant formal events.

This article originally appeared in The Birmingham Times. 

By Perry E. Thurston, Jr.

Florida seems hellbent on sending its public schools into K-12 purgatory. We’re at the bottom in per-pupil spending and teacher pay, and the job openings for quality teachers continues to grow. So, what’s our state’s response? School choice; let’s give more public money to private schools.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has proposed creating a new school voucher program to expand Florida’s school choice options to allow another 14,000 students to use taxpayer money to pay for a private school education. The rationale behind the move makes about as much sense as our state’s 20 year-effort of undermining public schools to make them better. As DeSantis put it while selling this new round of bad public policy: “If the taxpayer is paying for education, it’s public education …”

Such nonsensical logic is costing Florida’s taxpayers big money, while the one institution responsible for educating more than 2.8 million students flounders from underfunding and poor direction from state leaders. Gov. DeSantis earlier promised to seek more money for per-pupil spending and teachers’ salaries, but this latest move undermines that effort to make our state a more attractive place for educators and education. We simply can’t afford this latest siphoning off of taxpayer dollars from our neighborhood public schools to unregulated and unaccountable private schools.

In the past 20 years, our state has seen a rapid growth in the unregulated School Choice Industry. “Choice and competition” were sold as reforms. Our public schools were supposed to improve by diverting taxpayer money to make it easier for privately-run charter and religious schools to operate.

If the glaring statistics that show Florida mired near the bottom of per-pupil spending and teacher pay rankings, along with the number of approved local tax referendums to raise money to improve school curricula, raise teacher salaries and restore aging school buildings, then we all should come to the obvious conclusion that “choice and competition” alone won’t cut it.

What began years ago with Gov. Jeb Bush’s A+ Plan won’t end with DeSantis’ so-called “Equal Opportunity Scholarship.” School choice advocates will want more money from Florida’s taxpayers to make more money for their dubious operations. That’s the only way I can describe it because there is no easy way for Floridians to determine if private schools are succeeding in educating their students because they aren’t held to the same standards public schools must meet day in and day out.

That is Florida’s fault. It is the state government that has a major role to play in crafting state budgets and education policies that improve our public schools and the opportunities for its 2.8 million students. For too long though, Floridians have been shortchanged by dubious state education policies, whether it’s meager funding, over-relying on standardized tests or arming school teachers.

Educating children should be a fundamental value in this state. According to the Florida Constitution, “Adequate provision shall be made by law for a uniform, efficient, safe, secure and high-quality system of free public schools that allows students to obtain a high-quality education …” What part of “free public schools” are we missing here?

Unfortunately, too many Floridians have bought into a panacea of a policy that flies in the face of our state’s constitution and common sense. What part of “free public schools” are we missing here?

The dream of privatizing public schools remains just that – a dream. It certainly isn’t a strategy for academic gains, and it shouldn’t become Florida’s nightmare that turns public education on its head.

By Conway Jones

John S. McCain, a Naval aviator, prisoner of war in Vietnam, a Republican congressman and senator from Arizona, and a two-time contender for the presidency, died on Saturday. He was 81.

Mr. McCain was the embodiment of courage: a war hero who came home on crutches, broken body, permanently disabled, but not in spirit.

He served two terms in the House of Representatives and six in the Senate. He was a maverick who defied his party’s leaders. He compromised with Democrats.

Senator McCain was diagnosed with and operated on for brain cancer. Shortly after, he returned to the Senate and voted against a GOP repeal of ObamaCare with an iconic thumbs-down gesture.

“What greater cause could we hope to serve than helping keep America the strong, aspiring, inspirational beacon of liberty and defender of the dignity of all human beings and their right to freedom and equal justice? That is the cause that binds us and is so much more powerful and worthy than the small differences that divide us,” he said to his Senate colleagues.

John McCain was sincere and principled. These were his essential qualities. His character reflected the character of our nation.

In a speech at National Constitutional Center last year, he said, “We live in a land made of ideals, not blood and soil. We are the custodians of those ideals at home, and their champion abroad. We have a moral obligation to continue in our just cause, and we would bring more than shame on ourselves if we don’t. We will not thrive in a world where our leadership and ideals are absent. We wouldn’t deserve to.”

John McCain’s character and service to America defined his life and legacy.

John McCain’s body will lay in state at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. on Friday, August 31. His funeral will be at the Washington National Cathedral on Saturday.
McCain will be buried in the cemetery at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. The private ceremony’s date has not been publicly released.