Graham tennis creates mentor program between GHS, GJHS teams
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(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO | MANDY CERNOSEK) Graham High School varsity tennis players provide tutoring assistance to Graham Junior High School tennis players during an after school session in the GHS Tennis locker room. Head coach Mandy Cernosek has created an off-season mentoring and tutoring program. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, GJHS tennis players have the opportunity to receive tutoring and study advice from members of the GHS varsity tennis team.
Graham Junior High School head coach Mandy Cernosek is using the off season for more than keeping up physical fitness and teaching the game of tennis. This off season, Cernosek has created a program to help ensure her student-athletes excel in the classroom as well as on the court.
After noticing some of her athletes having issues keeping up with their academic responsibilities, Cernosek has brought some of her Graham High School tennis athletes together to mentor and teach members of her junior high team better study habits to help them succeed as student-athletes.
“I am a big, big advocate on academics, it’s huge,” Cernosek said. “(...) I just feel like the kids, right now, they don’t understand how to balance and then the commitment it takes in the classroom and how it carries over also with work ethic on the court (...) I can talk to them, but they don’t understand that there is a balance to this because they’re so new to this.”
Meeting after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the athletes have the opportunity to be tutored and mentored by members of the varsity team who have earned Academic All-District honors. The program allows for the varsity athletes to give back to the tennis program as well as help build a strong foundation for the future of the team.
For the full story, see the Wednesday, Nov. 30 edition of The Graham Leader.
