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By students, for the students Student-led organization aims to change educational experience gram at no fee. Ruff ’s observations began during his advanced placement As a young Black male, Bald- classes, where he highlighted a win High School senior Solo- significant issue. According to mon Ruff has witnessed first- the State Education Departhand the ne gative societal ment’s website, his high school v i ew s a n d d i s c r i m i n at i o n has a student body that is 48 directed at people of color. percent Black, with more males Studies show that such dis- than females. Ruff noticed a crimination can dislack of representacourage academic tion among Black involvement from students in these AP an early age. classes. In response to “I was definitely these challenges, as not seeing that repa sophomore in 2023, resentation in a lot Ruf f, 17, founded of those classes,” he Knowledge, Inspirasaid. “There may tion & Nurturing have been four of us Growth for Success, out of a group of 20. or K.I.N.G.S., a stuIt had me wondering dent-led nonprofit why there isn’t any organization created representation.” SOLOMON to transfor m the He also noted a educational experigeneral lack of Ruff ence for Black male enthusiasm for high school students. school among some Ruff said the organization’s of his peers. aim is to address gaps in the “Some of my friends didn’t educational system by provid- have much care or weren’t ing essential tools and resourc- enthusiastic about school in es that these students are lack- general,” Ruff added. “Not that ing. Through its programs, the they didn’t care about grades, organization seeks to expand but it just wasn’t their top priits impact within the communi- ority. I was, you know, a little ty and foster change by offering hurt.” these resources to them. RoughThus, the idea for K.I.N.G.S. ly 20 members make up the pro-
By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ
hgaldamez@liherald.com
Maureen Lennon/Herald
Local music takes over Baldwin Walter Baepler, Rick Meier, Tommy Lownds, and Chris Beattie sang at the Baldwin Porchfest on Aug. 30 at the Kellog’s House. Story, additional photos, Page 10.
Former Baldwin coach’s legacy inspires Freeport football exhibit By MOHAMMAD RAfIQ mrafiq@liherald.com
For over a century, the Freeport High School football program has been more than just a sport; it has been a cornerstone of community identity, shaping generations of young athletes and leaving an indelible mark on the village’s history. This month, the Freeport Memorial Library will host an exhibition documenting 120 years of Freeport football, curated by Librarian Regina Feeney but inspired by Steve Carroll, a retired Baldwin High School football coach. Carroll’s book on the history of Baldwin football, which spans 100 years, served as the cata-
lyst for Feeney’s deep dive into Freeport’s football archives. “I wanted to see how far back our teams went,” she said. “In fact, our teams went back pretty far, probably pre-1904, but 1904 seems to be the date that a team was organized.” Carroll is no stranger to the challenges of documenting a century of high school football. His book, “100 Years of Baldwin Football,” was a labor of love, he said, born of a lifelong connection to the sport. “The project started because when I was a kid, I would sit at the dinner table with my family and we would talk about Baldwin football,” Carroll recalled. His uncles played for Baldwin High in the late 1930s, and his father a Continued on page 16
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