Carina sings, plays keyboards and guitar during her concert. See her live at the Streets of Brentwood, this Saturday night, November 26th.

By Carina Sherborne

I am coming back to the Antioch area on my first music tour, and am booked as the National Headliner at the Streets of Brentwood Tree Lighting Festival on Saturday, November 26.

I am 19 years old and live in a small town outside of Seattle. Both of my parents graduated from Antioch High School and all of my family, except my mom, Amy (Anderson) DeAngelo O’Hearn, still live in the area including my grandmother who is a teacher at Dallas Ranch Middle School and my father who is a resident of Brentwood. I attended Sutter Elementary in Kindergarten and Belshaw Elementary in first grade before attending 16 schools across the county as we travelled with my active duty military step-father. Through my struggle to settle in each new state, to fit in, and find friends, I held on tightly to dreams of being a famous musician.

After settling in Washington, I continued training, and began writing and was well on my way in the industry at 16 when my mother became very ill. Now a single parent family, we were faced with the news that my mom was dying, and I chose to put my dreams on hold on heels of having just made it through 4 rounds on American Idol. I left high school my Junior year and attended online school, was caring for my deathly ill mother, and raising my brother while also attempting to keep afloat my mom’s dream – the business we started together called Pop Star Kids which is a school that trains kids to sing and perform. In 2014, my mom had a life saving surgery at University of Washington and although had a very low chance of survival was able to pull through. Today, I have a healthy mom and we have a thriving business in our town which I run with her.

Following this tumultuous time in my life, I was apprehensive, and struggled with getting back in to music, but knew as I graduated High School in 2015 that this is all I have ever wanted to do. Going against the grain, I turned down acceptance letters to college, and invite from American Idol producers to join the shows last season, and once again began pursuing my dream of musical stardom. Through the help of my family members in Sacramento, and all of our supportive east county family residents I was able to release my debut EP on my 19th birthday on July 28th this year! The first week of sales put me on the national Pop Charts topping out at number 54 above Meghan Trainer and even Prince, while my debut video went viral with over 300K views in a week and my life was forever changed!

My music is now on over 50 radio stations nationwide, more than 15 worldwide, and available on every and any streaming site, as well as Pandora. I currently hold the #3 spot in Seattle Pop Charts and am ranked #83 nationally. I just got signed to a producer in Nashville who’s team will be producing my next single which we will release in early 2017.

That team has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, and feel this song is a “smash hit.” I will be debuting this song on stage at the Streets, along with all the original music off the EP and future releases.

The headliner spot at the Streets has spun off an entire West Coast tour which kicked off in Seattle November 19th with stops in Portland, Sacramento and the East Bay, along with more venues as we travel back to Seattle.

My show in Sacramento is the day before the Streets performance, where several big name reps will be in the house to hear me debut my EP, and I will be joined there by the producers who worked in kind on my EP, including Sammy-nominated Patrick Grizzell of Proxy Moon, Kai O’Hearn who graduated from Antioch High, and the legendary David Houston who has worked with Cake, The Deaftones, Club Nouveau just to name a few and was as an engineer on my EP project.

My music is currently on the desk of FM102.5 in Sacramento and I will be interviewed live on the radio in Sacramento while I am in town this week.

More than anything, I want people to know how thankful I am to have such amazing support and secondly to know that no matter how hard life gets, or how impossible it may seem to reach your dreams, it can be done and I am proof of that. To some this may look like an overnight success story, to me it has been a long and winding road that has lead me back full circle to my home in the East Bay.

You can find my music and all other information at www.facebook.com/officialcarinamusic and www.officialcarina.com.

Antioch High players raise their helmets in victory as they leave the field following their 38-31 win over the Cal High Grizzlies, Saturday night, November 19, 2016

Panthers players are congratulated by their friends, family, fellow classmates and other fans.

The Yoc Boys beat Cal High Grizzlies 38-31

By Allen Payton

In the second round of North Coast Section (NCS) high school football playoff action, Saturday night, the Antioch Panthers h3ld on to win 38-31 over the California High Grizzlies of San Ramon. It’s the first time the team has earned the opportunity to play for the the NCS Championship game since 1977. That game will be held in Dublin on Saturday, December 3rd against Monte Vista who beat Heritage High, Friday night.

As the players ran onto the field, after the clock ran out, the crowd chanted “Yoc Boys”, “Yoc Boys”, the nickname for the team.

After trailing 31-10 at half time, the Grizzlies battled back with two touchdowns within five minutes, during the third quarter bringing the score to 31-24. Then, with the ball on the Antioch 3-yard line and driving to tie the score with 10 minutes left in the game, Cal High fumbled. The Panthers were able to score on an 87-yard pass, just two plays, later.

The Grizzlies scored again on a long, touchdown pass a few minutes later. With the point after good, that made the score 38-31. Antioch was unable to answer on their following drive and made a quick kick punt, giving Cal High the ball deep in their own territory, with 2:02 left in the game.

Panthers’ running back Najee Harris gives a victory pose, following the game.

A sack and a penalty pushed the Grizzlies back to their own 14. After two incomplete passes, one of which was nearly intercepted, on third and fourth downs with 18 to go for a first down, Antioch took over at the California 14. The Panthers quarterback twice took a knee, to run out the clock.

When asked about his thoughts on the game, Antioch’s star player and the nation’s top high school running back, Najee Harris simply said, “Scary win.”

“They played their hearts out. I love my teammates,” he continued. “All I ask for is for people who give their all and they did. It was an ugly win but we came out victorious.”

Head Coach John Lucido shared his thoughts on the victory and his team.

“I’m so proud of the kids,” he said. “They listened to us all week long. The seniors didn’t want to go home. They wanted to make a big statement. They were part of last year’s team. They didn’t want to go out like that.”

“These are such great kids. They deserved this,” he continued. “We’ve gone through a lot this year. To come out and do what they did against a well coached team, like this, it shows heart. It shows character.”

“We look forward to playing in two weeks,” Lucido added.

#16 Ti’yahti Harris raises his helmet high in a victory salute, as he jogs off the field toward the stands with #52 Tevin Holmes.

America’s top high school running back and college recruit, Najee Harris carries the ball past defenders of Lincoln High of Stockton, Friday night, August 26, 2016. photo by Michael Pohl

By Allen Payton

In the next round of Division 1 North Coast Section football playoffs, the Antioch High Panthers of the Bay Valley Athletic League will host the California High Grizzlies of San Ramon, of the East Bay League, tonight, Saturday, November 19, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. Antioch has an overall 7-4 season record and Cal High has an overall record of 9-2.

Coming off their first-round victory over San Ramon Valley High Wolves with a score of 29-17, the Panthers are looking forward to tonight’s challenge. Najee Harris, the nation’s top high school running back, and the rest of the “Yoc Boys” will be suited up and ready for action at Eells Stadium.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for seniors citizens and students with an ID. If you can’t make it to the game, you can watch it online, by clicking here.

At the October 19^th Board Meeting, the board approved a resolution to recognize and raise awareness of the issue of youth homelessness.  The goal of the resolution is to highlight the issue of youth homelessness within the county and our schools. Currently, Contra Costa County has over 3,000 children and youth living in homeless situations, as reported by the county school districts, charter schools and the Contra Costa Council on Homelessness. This includes children ages 0-5 and students in grades Kindergarten through 12.

In California, more than 298,000 youth up to the age of 18 experience homelessness each year. During November all students, schools and community members are encouraged to engage in discussions on this topic to raise awareness.

Below are some suggested activities for school sites:

• Send a flyer home with students or create a display to inform students and families of homeless education rights and resources available at your school and in Contra Costa County.
• Make a presentation to school teachers, staff and board members to raise awareness of homelessness in your community or school district.
• Organize a food drive and donate to the local food bank or pantry.
• Make a donation or volunteer at a local shelter.
• Participate in Contra Costa Community Donation Day on November 19^th.

The Contra Costa County Office of Education (Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program) coordinates the following:

• Provides technical assistance regarding the proper identification, enrollment, and service needs of homeless students and their families.
• Conducts professional development trainings for school personnel and community agencies regarding the rights and responsibilities of homeless students.
• Educates students, parents and guardians on their educational rights, and promotes their participation in school-related activities.
• Facilitates the school enrollment process to ensure equal access to educational services, free-or-reduced price meals, tutoring or other programs.
• Assists unaccompanied youth with enrollment procedures, school placement options, and retrieval of records.
• Provides assistance with transportation, backpacks, school supplies and clothing.
• Provides medical, dental, and mental health referrals, in addition to other school/community services.
• Provides assistance to specialized populations of homeless students, including pre-schoolers, homeless teen parents, children with special needs, and unaccompanied youth.

For more information, contact CCCOE’s Education for Homeless Children and Youth program at (925) 942-3300.

The Rotary Club of the Delta Haunted House fundraiser will be held at Dallas Ranch Middle School on Oct 29th and 30th, this year.

Scream Night is Saturday October 29th from 5 pm to 8 pm for the big kids and Spook Day is on Sunday October 30th from 11 am to 2 pm for the little kids with costume parade and trunk or treat – plus a less scary haunted house.

This is our second year – and should be lots of fun.

Entrance is free, but the tickets for the attractions are 50 cents each or 50 tickets for $20. This fundraiser benefits Antioch school libraries.

Dallas Ranch Middle School Vice Principal Paula McEvoy introduces panelists, Dr. Yenjean Hwang, Melissa Margain Field a military veteran, Julie Haas-Wajdowicz City of Antioch Environmental Resource Coordinator, and Antioch Councilwoman Monica Wilson. Photos by Hilda Parham

Dallas Ranch Middle School girls watch The Empowerment Project film on Tuesday on morning.

By Sal Sbranti

The Antioch Rotary Club is proud to again be sponsoring the screening of the film The Empowerment Project.  It will be shown at the four Antioch Middle Schools to all 8th Grade female students. The objective of the film is to create conversation and motivate young women on their own personal journey of empowerment as they follow the stories of the women in the film.Created by filmmakers Dana Michelle Cook and Sarah Moshman, the film travels 7,000 miles in its journey across the United States finding strong, positive role models in a wide variety of industries.These role models include a Four Star Admiral in the U.S. Navy, Social Entrepreneur, Pilot, Professional Athlete, Chef and an Architect.

“Antioch Rotary is very proud to be involved with Antioch Middle Schools bringing such a powerful program to our young ladies and hope to be able to move forward with a young men’s program,” said Milanka Schneiderman, Antioch Rotary Club President.

Besides the film, the Antioch Rotary Club arranged for four panelists, each a local, positive female role model, to be at each screening to discuss their professional careers and to answer any questions that students may have.

“We are very committed to the success of the youth in our local community of Antioch.  We want girls to know that their options are not limited and that there is a wide arrange of careers available to them,” Schneiderman added.

The “Empowerment Project” showed on Monday at Antioch High School for Park Middle School and Antioch Middle School students, and today at Dallas Ranch Middle School and Black Diamond Middle School.

Panelists include Iris Archuleta, Dr. Yenjean Hwang, Trine Gallegos, Amy Hilton, Lynnette Giacobazzi, Julie Haas-Wajdowicz, Dr. Stacey Duckett and Diane Aguinaga.

The theme of the project is “What would you do if you weren’t afraid to fail.” The girls were asked to write down their answers and at Black Diamond Middle School some of the answers were placed on a display.

As part of this project, the Antioch Rotary Club is working closely with the Principals of Antioch Middle Schools and their Vice-Principals: John Jimno, Ed Dacus, Phyllis James, Lindsay Wisely, Paula McAvoy, Asia Chhabra, Eva Padilla, Pamela Price and Julia Kent.A few years ago, Lindsay Wisely, along with Trine Gallegos, from Antioch High School started the concept of “Girl Power” with its theme of female empowerment and organized a group of 20 Antioch High School alumni to speak to the female students.

For further information regarding this program contact Sal Sbranti, our program coordinator at email address salsbranti@comcast.net. For more information on The Empowerment Project, visit www.empowermentproject.com. For more information about the Antioch Rotary Club, visit www.antiochrotaryclub.org.

Naomi Lomax. photos courtesy of Antioch Police

By Allen Payton

Antioch Police confirmed, today that Naomi Lomax the 15-year-old Antioch teen who went missing Saturday morning, September 17, is home safe.

“I can confirm she has been located safely,” said Corporal Gary Lowther of the Antioch Police Department.

When asked for more details, he responded, “that’s all I can say at this time.”

Lomax was found in San Diego by her mother, with the help of social media.

“It was a human trafficking situation, not a runaway,” said her mother Elizabeth Chavez. “She needs healing time. So, that’s all we’re ready to say, right now.”

Check back in a few days for more details.