In an exclusive interview from the The L.A. Sentinel staff writer, E. Mesiyah McGinnis, Dorsey High School head coach, Stafon Johnson, assesses his first year and returning to the school that made him a legend.
Senior Mychai Williams is a quintessential contributor to the offense and defense of the Dorsey Dons football team. During this season, he committed nine interceptions.
The Dorsey Dons dominated during their 61-8 homecoming victory over the Locke Saints. This is their first Coliseum league game of the season; the Dons now have a 4-2 overall record.
“There is no place like home,” said Stafon Johnson just before his first game as head football coach for the Dorsey High Dons vs. the Santa Monica Vikings. Johnson was a phenom at the running back position for the Dons 2004-2006, earning a full scholarship to USC and playing for the Trojans throughout his college career. Even as a Tiny Might player in Pop Warner, Johnson was lauded as one of the best backs in the conference as a nine-year-old for the LA Sheriffs. He continued the great legacy of Dorsey running backs such as Lamont Warren, Beno Bryant, and
Keyshawn Johnson is one of the most iconic wide receivers out of USC who went on to have a 10-year NFL career.
Diane Edith Watson has lived a full life and shows no signs of slowing down. On the morning of our interview, the 87-years-young legendary political icon had already been on the phone with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, was coordinating her pink and green wardrobe for the inauguration of her Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority sister, Kamala Harris, and had already spoken with a cadre of Washington D.C. leaders, all in the hopes that the retired congresswoman was feeling up to making the journey to the January Presidential Inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Local civil rights organizations protested in front of the Baldwin Hills Mall to send a message to CIM that they do not approve their purchase of the plaza. Recently, CIM bought the plaza and the community is concerned about what their plans are.
On April 3, the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) announced that high school sports were canceled for the rest of the school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The order terminated all basketball state championship games. Spring sports like track and field, baseball, softball, boy’s tennis and boys’ volleyball were cut short. Senior student athletes face new challenges in the college recruitment process.
This past season, sophomore Payton Walk helped the Crenshaw girls’ basketball team become City Section contenders. Although this was her first year playing varsity, she was co-captain of the team.
Former Dorsey Football star Antonio Carrion was once considered to be the best wide receiver in southern California and the nation. His battle with Bipolar Paranoid Schizophrenia led him to homelessness and the Criminal Justice System, showing the lack of institutional resources put in place for people living with mental illness.
The evening was full of engaging conversation, insightful perspectives, with new friendships made and unforgettable advice given to the mostly young audience of color.
Since its inception in 2006, The Hale Foundation has donated tens of thousands of dollars to provide a helping hand to low-income families, children and young adults. In addition to providing money for educational scholarship donations, The Hale Foundation has donated to organizations that give assistance to children affected by homelessness and malnutrition. Other beneficiaries of The Hale Foundation include: the United Negro College Fund, the L.A. Southwest College Education Foundation, Inner City Arts, Parents of Watts, St. Jude Children’s Hospital and L.A. Child Guidance Clinic.
Senior baseball player Elijah Dobson works hard to uphold the name of his school and his family through his acts. Dobson is a second-generation Dorsey student. His father is the head coach of the Dons baseball team.
Founded in 1969 by the late Rozzell Sykes, the community center has become a cultural landmark for its enduring promotion of arts education through workshops and cultural events. In recognition of reaching the half-century mark, scores of supporters from throughout the city attended the street festival.
Senior forward Kierra Haynes makes Dorsey look good. Along with being a key member of the girls basketball team, Haynes works to keep the campus clean as a member of the Campus Beatification program.