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Tim Stevens and Javier Serna follow all the news for high school athletes from Wake, Orange, Durham and Chatham Counties — among others. E-mail Tim. | E-mail Javier.

Southern Durham receiver honored by Carolina Panthers

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Southern Durham senior wide receiver Kendrick Wiggins has been selected as a  Carolina  Panthers  Community  Captain.

Through  the  first
three games of the 2008 high school football  season,  Wiggins  already  has
over 500 yards of total offense, which includes two  kickoff  returns  for
touchdowns of 90 and 97 yards.

Along with football, Wiggins is also a member of the varsity basketball  and
track teams at Southern Durham. However,  he  still  maintains  a  3.5-grade
point average and is in the top fifteen percent  of  his  class.  He  is  an
honor roll student, scholar student athlete, and received the Durham  County
AVID Academic Scholarship as a junior for his hard work  and  dedication  to
academics, athletics and community service.

"Kendrick's drive to continuously improve  in  academics  and  athletics  is
unparalleled," said Southern Durham wide receivers coach  Theric  Holt.  "He
always finds ways to improve himself, and  is  never  too  busy  to  help  a
fellow peer. Kendrick provides a positive example  of  how  to  carry  one's
self and routinely takes the high road  when  facing  difficult  situations,
while urging others to follow his example. He even finds time  to  help  his
fellow teammates with tutoring  in  the  classroom.  Kendrick  always  gives
selflessly to his team and other students at Southern Durham High."

Wiggins learned how to be a successful leader from his grandfather  who  was
a drill sergeant in the U.S. Army. Their motto was, "lead by  example."  "If
people see that I am working hard, then it  will  motivate  others  to  work
hard as well," said Wiggins.

Since  the sixth grade, Wiggins  has  been  involved  with  the  Department  of  Social
Services Volunteer Program. He  has  helped  with  the  annual  "Share  Your
Christmas" event as well as assisted in the delivery of school  supplies  to
the needy as a part of the Durham County back to  school  supply  drive.  In
all, Wiggins has put in  over  100  hours  of  community  service  for  this
program since 2006.

Wiggins  also  lends  a  hand  to  help  out  his  community   through   his
participation with the Chi Omega Lambda Fraternity,  which  is  a  community
service oriented organization. He volunteers with the Durham County  Student
Action Corp as well.

During this high school football season, the Carolina Panthers  will  select
ten Community Captains  based  on  nominations  received  from  high  school
administrators  and  media  representatives.  Recipients  will  receive   an
authentic  Carolina  Panthers  Community  Captain  jersey   and   have   the
opportunity to participate in  select  Panthers  community  outreach  events
during the current academic year. Recipients will be honored during  an  on-
field ceremony at the Panthers  home  game  versus  the  Denver  Broncos  on
December 14, 2008 at Bank of America Stadium.

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