Texas
East Texas student shares how being part of the Aspire Mentoring Program has impacted her life
LONGVIEW, Texas (KLTV) – For nearly 30 years, the Aspire Mentoring Program has provided mentors to hundreds of students.
One of those students is Ta’Lajah Griffin a sophomore at Pine Tree High School in Longview.
She’s had extra support and guidance from her mentor for nearly a year.
“If problems are going on at home your mentor can come through and help and they always be there it’s like having a second parent you know,” said Ta’Lajah Griffin a student in the program.
The Aspire Mentoring Program provides mentors to youth K-12 across different counties in East Texas.
Ta’Lajah’s mentor has guided her to keep her grades up and build self-confidence.
“Ms. Tequita means the world to me, she’s a second parent to me,” said Ta’lajah.
Tequita Dudley, has been a mentor for almost a decade in this program and has seen an increase in students in mentor demand and students in need of guidance.
“There is a big need right now for mentors in our community because people are needing help,” said Tequita Dudley a mentor at the Aspire Mentoring Program, “To help guide and lead these children because there’s so many negative things out there that children are leaning to.”
She says there’s one reason people are choosing not to mentor.
“People neglect to be a mentor because they think it takes time, it does not,” said Tequita.
Tequita also says just like students benefit from being mentored, becoming one also has its benefits.
“Your mentee can also mentor you.. my mentee makes me a better person because I want to be a better person for her,” said Tequita.
“Something I’ve always wanted to tell my mentor is that I love her, she’s one of my favorite people,” said Ta’Lajah.
“It’s a lifetime choice and they will be in your life forever,” said Tequita.
This month is National Mentoring Month and if you want to become a mentor or learn more about this program, you can click here.
Copyright 2024 KLTV. All rights reserved.
Texas
Texas Football Opt-Outs: Who’s Likely Playing and Who’s Out for the Citrus Bowl
At this point in time, opting out of bowl games is nothing new, but Texas is going to have more opt-outs in the Citrus Bowl against Michigan than many—self included—expected. This problem pales in comparison to what’s going on in Ann Arbor, but the amount of lost experience will be something for Texas to overcome, primarily on defense.
Texas
Latest in recruiting war for elite 2028 QB has Texas Football joyful
Neimann Lawrence list the Longhorns as one school that is standing out
As the Longhorns continue to build for the future, one of their targets is four-star prospect Neimann Lawrence. The Miami native is one of the best quarterbacks in the 2028 class and is attracting interest from some of the nation’s top programs. On Monday, Lawrence revealed the schools that have stood out so far, including the Longhorns.
While Mondays update was encouraging, Texas was not the only school Lawrence mentioned. He also highlighted Michigan, Miami, Ohio State, Texas A&M, and Tennessee. That is not an easy list of schools to go to battle with; the Longhorns have time to make themselves stand out.
Currently, the Miami Northwestern High star is ranked as the fourth-best quarterback in is class by 247Sports. They also rank him as the ninth-best player from Florida and the 39th-best player in the nation. With collegiate debut still over a year away, those rankings could change.
At the moment, the Longhorns do not have a commitment in the 2028 class, but they have made offers to some of the top recruits. That includes Brysen Wright, Jalanie George, Jamarios Canton, Micah Rhodes, and King Pitts. Landing any of those players would give Texas a bright future.
With a decision still months away, Lawrence will be a player to watch. A lot could change as his recruitment continues, but it is a good sign for Texas that they are standing out early on in the process.
Texas
Orange County wedding photographer deported on way to job in Texas
ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. – An Orange County photographer is speaking out after he was deported as he was heading to Texas to photograph a wedding.
What they’re saying:
“I was trying to do it the right way, the legal way and it just feels like they don’t care about that,” said Adan Caceres.
Caceres came to the United States under asylum in 2014, fleeing a violent El Salvador.
“My mom’s sister was murdered and she was thrown in front of our house. She also was abused sexually before they murdered her and then my brother and I were threatened by the gangs,” said Caceres.
He says he never received the deportation order that was issued in 2018 and only learned about it in 2023. He then started the process of reopening his case.
“I was paying my taxes. I’m a business owner, I’m a wedding photographer. I’m also married,” said Caceres.
In October, Caceres was going through security at John Wayne Airport, heading to a job in Texas, when he was detained. He says from Santa Ana, he was sent to the Adelanto Detention Center then one in El Paso, Texas where he says the conditions were inhumane.
“We’re not even asking ‘hey let us out’ we’re asking for water, we’re asking for us to be able to use the restroom, these are basic human rights,” said Caceres.
He says now that he’s back in the country he once fled, he’s most concerned about his wife back in Orange County.
“I was providing a lot of income for our household and now my wife has to take care of all of those things on her own; paying car insurance, the rent, all the bills,” said Caceres.
Caceres says he had no criminal history and feels he was on the path to citizenship when it was ripped away from him, leaving his future with his family uncertain.
“I don’t know if I’m going to see them. I don’t know when I’m going to see them,” said Caceres.
The other side:
FOX11 reached out to the Department of Homeland Security asking about Caceres’ case but had not heard back at the time this story aired.
The Source: Information for this story came from an interview with Adan Caceres.
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