Kansas
60 Kansas children’s adoptions to be finalized during National Adoption Month
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – The adoptions of 60 Kansas youngsters shall be finalized throughout Nationwide Adoption Month in November.
KVC, a Kansas nonprofit which gives foster care and adoption providers on behalf of the Kansas Division for Kids and Households, says there are about 113,589 youngsters and youngsters in foster care within the U.S. who want perpetually households. That quantity consists of round 500 youngsters in Kansas. It stated these are children who’ve seen abuse, neglect and different severe household challenges bringing a way of urgency to match them with loving houses.
In 2022, KVC indicated the Nationwide Adoption Month’s theme is “Small Steps Open Doorways” to spotlight the highly effective affect of youth engagement and the way easy steps construct relationships. Throughout November, it stated the State of Kansas will assist facilitate 60 adoptions to emulate the main target.
On Saturday, Nov. 19, KVC stated courthouses throughout the nation will open to assist households finalize their adoptions and have fun as youngsters discover their perpetually households.
The group famous that throughout the 2021 fiscal 12 months, the Adoption and Foster Care Evaluation and Reporting System reported that of these ready for adoptions:
- 52% are male and 48% are feminine
- 43% are white, 21% are Black or African American and 23% are Hispanic
- The typical age is seven years previous
- 22% are between 13 and 17 years previous
- The typical time in foster care is about 34 months – 2.8 years
Since 2005, KVC stated it has matched greater than 5,300 youngsters with loving perpetually households. On Saturday, it stated 60 extra adoptions shall be finalized in Topeka and Olathe.
For info on youngsters in foster care in Kansas, click on HERE.
Copyright 2022 WIBW. All rights reserved.
Kansas
Kansas Football Star Mello Dotson Secures AP Third Team All-American Spot
Kansas senior cornerback Mello Dotson capped off an incredible season by earning his second All-America honor on Monday.
The Associated Press named Dotson to its Third Team All-America list, adding to his earlier selection as a Walter Camp Second Team All-American on Dec. 12.
Dotson’s recognition is a big moment for Kansas football.
He’s the first Jayhawk to earn All-America honors since linebacker Joe Dineen Jr. in 2018. Even more impressive, Dotson joins an exclusive group as only the 13th Kansas player to be named an All-American multiple times.
His selection marks the 25th All-America honor in program history.
This season, Dotson proved to be one of the best cornerbacks in the country.
He led the Big 12 Conference with five interceptions, a number that tied for third nationally among cornerbacks. Two of those interceptions were returned for touchdowns, which tied him for the most in the country.
He also tallied 49 tackles and 12 pass deflections, consistently making life difficult for opposing offenses.
Dotson’s career numbers are even more impressive.
Over his time at Kansas, he racked up 12 interceptions, 177 tackles, and 37 passes defended. He also set a school record with four interceptions returned for touchdowns—truly a game-changer every time he was on the field.
His senior year was full of highlights.
Dotson earned First Team All-Big 12 honors and was an Honorable Mention for Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. One standout moment came against No. 17 Iowa State, where he returned an interception 25 yards for a touchdown.
That game earned him Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week and Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Defensive Back of the Week honors.
Dotson wasn’t the only star cornerback for Kansas this season.
His teammate, Cobee Bryant, was named a Second Team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association on Dec. 13.
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Kansas
Former Kansas City Chiefs player Jimmy Wilkerson dies at 43; high school honours late assistant coach with teary win
Former Kansas City Chiefs draft pick and longtime NFL defensive end Jimmy Wilkerson sadly passed away earlier this week on December 13 in Oklahoma City. He was 43 years old.
Before his unfortunate demise, Wilkerson was employed as an assistant coach at Carl Albert High School. According to The Oklahoman, the Titans were scheduled to have their final practice before the Saturday game. A few hours before the planned schedule, the former OU standout was at home when a call went out to paramedics for an emergency. Wilkerson, however, was reportedly no longer with us before the officials arrived. A heart attack is believed to be the cause of his untimely death.
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More about the NFL star’s pro career. His son is also a football player
Throughout his NFL career, the Oklahoma athlete played with the Kansas City Chiefs from 2003-07. Eventually, he switched over to Tampa Bay for two seasons before joining the New Orleans Saints roster in 2010. His NFL path culminated with Seattle in 2011.
The late assistant coach’s son, senior tight-end Maddox Wilkerson, followed in his father’s footsteps, playing alongside his teammates for Carl Albert. With barely a day elapsed between his dad breathing his last breath and his school’s showdown against Guthrie, the #45 athlete (the same number his dad wore while playing at the collegiate level) still stepped up to the occasion and participated in the crucial match, which ultimately paved the way for a historic victory.
Jimmy Wilkerson’s memory honoured by historic Carl Albert victory
Despite reeling from the older Wilkerson’s death, the Carl Albert team defeated Guthrie 30-6 at the Class 5A state championship football game at the Chad Richison Stadium in Edmond, Oklahoma, on Saturday, December 14. It marked the school’s third consecutive Class 5A title and the program’s 19th overall. Nevertheless, the post-game visuals stung with the abject pain of loss.
With tears in his eyes, Carl Albert coach Mike Dunn praised the student-athletes for rising above the prevailing hardship, saying, “Proud of all of our guys. Different circumstances today. … I don’t know that we’ve ever dealt with adversity like that.”
Maddox’s mother, Jamie, reportedly offered him the option to sit out the game. Yet he did more than show up for the team. “We were trying really hard to get him in” the end zone, Dunn said of the young player. “But he’s made plays all year long, and so I know his dad would be proud of him.”
He added, “You talk about hard. That kid dealt with a lot. … He’s a great kid, great family and he’s gonna have a bunch of coaches, we’ll never be his dad, but we’ll always be there for him.”
“Everybody earned this…but this one’s going home tonight with Maddox Wilkerson.”
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Maddox Wilkerson’s teammates stand by him
Carl Albert Captain Caden Davis said of the late NFL player, “You can’t replace a guy like Coach Wilkerson. He’s so selfless and gives everything he has to everybody.”
Alluding to the example set by Maddox, he added, “That guy is so tough. Maddox is such a strong guy.”
Similarly, linebacker and OU signee Marcus James noted, “He came out and handled business like he was supposed to. … It was great for him to come out and be able to take the field and be able to play after a time like that.”
On Friday, the deceased NFL talent’s son paid a tribute to his father on Instagram. “You were the best dad and also my best friend,” he wrote on social media. “I love you so much, Dad. Life won’t ever be the same without you here by my side.”
According to social media receipts, Jimmy Wilkerson is survived by his wife, Jamie, and four kids, Tyson, Maddox, Jax, and Emilia.
Kansas
Kansas lands former Alabama football defensive back | Report
Ex-Alabama football cornerback Jahlil Hurley has committed to Kansas, On3 reported Sunday, citing Hurley’s agent, Casey Gunn.
Hurley re-posted the news on X shortly after.
Hurley, a Florence native, played in nine games this past season for the Crimson Tide. He didn’t see any playing time during his first season in 2023. The 247Sports Composite listed Hurley as the No. 50 player overall in the 2023 recruiting class and the No. 5 cornerback as a four-star recruit.
Hurley announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal before Alabama learned it would not make the College Football Playoff. Others have since joined him, including the likes of defensive back DeVonta Smith, running back Justice Haynes and receiver Kendrick Law, among others. Hurley joins Keanu Koht (Vanderbilt) as former Alabama players who have already found new homes.
The transfer portal has been open for about a week and will remain open for about two more weeks.
Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.
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