Rosedale area residents to participate in inspirational reading program for MLK Day

Rosedale resident Hanna Hochstetler read with Rosedale Middle School students at a past inspirational reading program. (Photo from Rosedale Development Association)
Dottie Griffin, a volunteer, shared her story with students at a past inspirational reading program on the week of the Martin Luther King Jr. celebration. (Photo from Rosedale Development Association)

Volunteers ranging from college students to elders of the Rosedale community will join Rosedale Development Association Jan. 21 – 24, the week of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, for their annual Reading Inspirational Stories to Empower, or R.I.S.E., program.

For the eighth year, community volunteers will visit over 50 Rosedale classrooms to read stories about civil rights and social justice. Through the program, volunteer readers engage local children about the country’s struggle toward equality, and how it continues today, according to a spokesman.

This year’s theme is “Lift Every Voice” and will encourage students in adding their own voices of advocacy and knowledge that they are agents for change in their communities.

After reading and discussing the books, students will be invited to participate in a social action project. This component has students “lift their voices” to identify pressing issues and share ideas on how to improve the community.

“Since the youth are unable to vote, the advocacy component will invite volunteer readers and legislators to take the voices of the students into consideration as we work to shape the future of our community,” Je T’aime Taylor, Rosedale Development Association program director, said of the program.

The books that have been chosen for this year’s program highlight voting, running for office and advocating for migrant rights. R.I.S.E. was started to honor and continue the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who said,”Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” This bridge between the action of yesterday and the advocacy of today is a fundamental component of the R.I.S.E. program, a spokesman said.

Those who have participated in the program in past years include Dottie Griffin, a volunteer who has participated in the program since 2013.

While reading to a 4th grade Noble Prentis classroom, Griffin paused, saying, “Now, if you see me put my hand on my chest or hear my voice get a little wavy, it’s because I was alive when this happened to Dr. King, and I still remember clearly what we went through back then.”

She then went on to explain why it was important today’s students understand what she and her peers endured, using her experiences to show that these youth can be the powerful change-makers of today.

R.I.S.E. volunteers will attend an orientation at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, in the Rainbow Mennonite Church fellowship hall at 1444 Southwest Blvd., Kansas City, Kansas.

A complimentary dinner will be provided by the Health Forward Foundation for participants.

The training will orient volunteers toward the importance of reading and communication and emphasize how to help students identify and draw lessons from a story’s theme. In addition, activities will help volunteers reflect on inequality in and around their own lives and possibly inspire them to take action.

Rosedale Development Association is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to work with residents, businesses, and institutions to develop a thriving Rosedale community.

For more information about the program or to get involved, contact RDA Program Director, Je T’aime Taylor at 913-677-5097 or jetaime@rosedale.org.

Police notes

Motorist runs into police vehicle

A motorist ran into the back of an officer’s police vehicle about 5:24 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10, in the 6400 block of State Avenue, according to a social media post by the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department. The officer was stopped at the intersection at the time.

The motorist was traveling at a high rate of speed and then hit the police vehicle, according to the report. The motorist had minor injuries, the report stated.

Police respond in fake check incident


Officers took a person into custody about 7:45 p.m. Jan. 10 in the 10800 block of Parallel Parkway when the person tried to cash fake checks, according to a social media post by the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department.

Blue Devils bounce back with 67.7 percent first-half shooting

Taking a lob pass from teammate Deron McDaniel, Jalen Davis slammed home this dunk on the way to scoring 18 points in KCKCC’s 95-64 win over On Point Hoops Academy Friday. (KCKCC photo by Alan Hoskins)

by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC

Kansas City Kansas Community College rebounded from a loss at nationally ranked Hutchinson with a fury.

Bolting to a 12-0 in the first two minutes, the Blue Devils led 17-2 just 4½ minutes into the game on the way to a 95-64 win Friday over On Point Hoops Academy of Reno, Oklahoma.

“We bounced back after a tough loss; good win, good effort,” KCKCC coach Brandon Burgette said.

The win came in the opening round of the annual KCKCC Classic. However, weather conditions forced cancellation of Saturday’s second round of three games in which both Blue Devil teams were scheduled to play Metropolitan Community College. No decision has been made on the possible rescheduling of the men’s game but the KCKCC women have replaced their game with Metro with a home contest with William Penn’s junior varsity at about 7 p.m. Tuesday. The game will follow a Bishop Ward High School game.

The Blue Devils came out sizzling against On Point, drilling 21-of-31 shots for a torrid 66.7 percent in building a 59-29 halftime lead. Calvin Slaughter had 15 points, Jalen Davis 13 and Ezekiel Lopes 10 to lead the way for the Blue Devils, who got a pair of 3-pointers each from Slaughter, Davis and Deron McDaniel.

Slaughter finished with a game-high 20 points, Lopes 19 and Davis 18 as the trio combined to nail 10-of-20 3-pointers. Lopes missed just one of five treys while Slaughter and Davis had three each and McDaniel two as the Blue Devils were 13-of-31 from the perimeter (.419).

Other production came from Jermaine Yarbough, 13 points and five rebounds; DeAngelo Ball, a game-high eight assists and seven points; and Robert Rhodes shared rebounding honors with Slaughter with eight while scoring seven points.

The Blue Devils scored 32 points off 22 On Point turnovers but were guilty of 21 of their own. KCKCC won the rebounding battle 42-34 and finished the game with 35 field goals in 62 attempts for 56.5 percent while limiting On Point to 35.9 percent.

The Blue Devils face yet another tough test when they return to action Monday, facing the NJCAA Division II’s No. 1 ranked team, North Central Missouri in Trenton.

KCKCC then returns home to play host to Saint Mary junior varsity Thursday and Park University junior varsity Friday, both at 7 p.m., before beginning Jayhawk Conference play at Labette Jan. 22.

Former Harmon standout DeAngelo Bell used a nifty scoop shot to avoid four On Point defenders for two of his eight points in KCKCC’s 95-64 win Friday. Bell also had a game-high eight assists. (KCKCC photo by Alan Hoskins)
Calvin Slaughter burst past On Point’s Art Golvanoy for two of his game-high 20 points in leading KCKCC to a 95-64 win Friday. (KCKCC photo by Alan Hoskins)
Jermaine Yarbough contributed this slam dunk for two of his 13 points in KCKCC’s 95-64 win over On Point Academy Friday. (KCKCC photo by Alan Hoskins)
At just 6-1, former Bishop Miege standout Ezekiel Lopes’ slam dunk attempt was negated by an On Point foul in a 95-64 KCKCC win in which Lopes scored 19 points. (KCKCC photo by Alan Hoskins)