Gophers safety Cedric Thompson and cornerback Derrick Wells can remember how nervous they were as high school seniors two years ago, waiting for their ACT scores, knowing that test would determine their college futures.
Thompson said he didn't have access to an ACT prep class at Calipatria (Calif.) High School. He first took the test as a sophomore and still was waiting on a Division I qualifying score two years later. Wells was in the same position as a senior at Lehigh (Fla.) High School.
Both were thrilled when the scores came back, paving their way to college. Now, both are determined to help aspiring students make the grade.
During spring semester, Thompson and Wells spent Sunday afternoons mentoring high school students at the Fred Wells Tennis & Education Center, near Fort Snelling. It was part of a service-learning project for a "Multicultural Perspectives in Sociology" class.
Thompson and Wells helped with homework, offered ACT advice and played some tennis to help bond with the students.
"You can tell they care about the well-being of these kids," said Ali King, the Program Coordinator at Fred Wells Academy.
According to its mission statement, the academy serves to "empower youth to be successful on and off the court." The indoor and outdoor tennis facilities might be the draw, but once inside, students have access to personalized academic support.
On a recent Sunday, Thompson and Wells spent their time with members of the St. Paul Humboldt tennis team.
