Today on Midday, a conversation with the leaders of four different youth sports programs that are propelling kids in Baltimore toward academic success. Through these programs, young people are playing hockey, soccer and squash, and even riding dirt bikes. They're also gaining access to college and career planning resources, mentoring services and academic help.Tom will explore how youth sports programs can help students succeed both in and out of the classroom. His guests are:Noel Acton, the founder and director of The Tender Bridge, a nonprofit that supports high-risk inner-city kids in East Baltimore through mentoring programs and hockey.Abby Markoe, the founder and director of Squashwise. Kids learn how to play squash, while setting their sights on their post-high school education and career paths.Emily Sherman, the director of Soccer Without Borders Maryland. They work with refugee, asylee and immigrant youth in Baltimore City and Prince George’s County and provide after-school academic, English language and family engagement programs.Brittany Young, the founder of B-360, an organization that uses dirt bikes to create opportunities in STEM education and job training.

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