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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 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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