28th Annual Flo Jo international youth Track & Field Invitational

By Darrel Wheeler

Contributing Writer

On the last Saturday of April, while the National Football League was wrapping up its annual selection draft, there was also another annual event taking place on the fast track of Mt. Miguel High School. Some of San Diego’s brightest track & field stars from Pre-School to High School were seen flexing their skills at the 28th Annual Flo-Jo International Track & Field Invitational.

San Diego’s GodSpeed, Rockets, Flo-Jo, Mercury, Step-Academy, SD-Elite, Waves, and the Time Machine were some of the local teams representing America’s finest city.

Out-of-towners Imani from Compton, Black Lightning of Lakewood Ca., Menifee’s Mustangs and the Arizona Track-Stars were a welcomed infusion of talented teams that got on the free- ways to participate in SD’s most prestigious youth invitational.

Local kids were able to test their skills against competition beyond 619.

Once again, SD-Elite’s speed-racer Lilah Black held her own against the competition in the 100200 meters.

“I like running because it’s fun and I like the competition and it’s a sport I want to do in the future,” SD Elite’s shy speedster Lilah Black shared. “Today was an absolute blessing. I think the meet went well,” event coordinator Elizabeth Tate, CEO of Flo-Jo, said about the busy event. “It’s not easy putting on an event of this size, but it’s worth it when you see the families enjoying themselves and supporting their kids.”

There was good competition and good vibes at the 28th Annual Flo-Jo Invitational.

By Traci Wooden

The journey, challenges, and triumphs of Angeles Echols, CEO of Educating Young Minds, Inc. (EYM), and that of her staff and the students her organization served are captured in a new book, “The Me I See in You.” Local residents had the chance to meet Echols at a book signing on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at the La Mesa Christian Bookstore, 4695 Date Avenue, La Mesa, CA.

The book portrays, through photos and words, the first impressions, experiences and life-altering moments of 21 students who flourished under the tutelage, mentorship and whole-life embrace of the staff at EYM. The book will encourage readers to look at education in a new way. The students were American children and young adults who had been labeled ‘least likely to succeed’, marginalized, miscategorized, underserved or from households with parents who were in need of encouragement and better options, especially in today’s climate.

Echols started EYM more than 35 years ago with $50 and a dream filled with an abundance of love, in a one-bedroom apartment.

EYM grew, child by child, textbook by textbook, parent by parent, and meal by meal. Some former students came back to help tutor, create remote learning and teacher/ student-interaction, online programs, offer resources for funding and encourage Ms. Echols as she encouraged them before they understood their potential.

EYM’s students are taught to be responsible for their own learning and achievement and parents/teachers are held accountable. Educating Young Minds, Inc. is located in Los Angeles, CA.

“I have seen children from foster care grow and succeed. I have seen children of drug addicts go off to some of the top universities in the country. I have seen boys who could have so easily drifted off to the streets instead find their strength and their focus.

I have seen girls traumatized by neglect or abuse learn to believe in their own future and their own potential. The answer, of course, is education,” states Ms. Echols, whose book is available on Amazon.