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April 26, 2023

A New Mentorship Program at Wyandotte High School Celebrates Its Inaugural Year

A group of nine people stand side-by-side in a room, with most wearing matching red and white letterman jackets.

Members of the Wyandotte High School Boys’ Basketball team recently received their letterman jackets at a special ceremony.

Several red garments in clear plastic bags are stacked together on a flat surface.

But the event at the Chamber of Commerce in downtown Kansas City, Kansas was more than just about the squad celebrating their season and getting fancy, new jackets.

The gathering on Monday, April 24 was about celebrating members of the team who completed a newly launched mentorship program, called the All-American Academic Program.

A group of nine people stand side-by-side in a room, with most wearing matching red and white letterman jackets.

The program was created by the boys’ head basketball coach Marcus Johnson Sr. His vision was to create a mentorship program focused on providing a positive pathway for his young players. 

Johnson started with a small group of players on his basketball team. He paired them with a dozen men from the Kansas City community who he considered to be accomplished and successful individuals. Johnson’s overall intent was to help his players improve their grades, increase their attendance at school, and most importantly, improve their leadership skills.

“I feel like our efforts made an extremely positive impact on our student-athletes that were involved. I believe experiences were gained, support was given, and our students have set goals for their future,” said Johnson.

Seven people in matching red vests stand facing a large television screen in a room.

Someone who already has an eye on their future is DeAngelo Mays. The Wyandotte sophomore went through the mentorship program and believed it helped him a lot. “It was pretty good to have someone with insight, someone who’s already experienced what I’m going through now,” said Mays. 

The small-forward says he wants to someday be involved in real estate, investment banking and E-commerce. He says his experience with the mentorship program showed him a lot and helped him on his path. “It’s been a really good motivator and driver for my success in academics and beyond,” May adds. 

Two men stand smiling together in an office or event space, with one wearing a red and white varsity jacket.

Coach Johnson is proud of what was accomplished this year with the mentorship program. He’s already looking forward to next year. “We want to try to expand by slightly increasing our numbers, partnering with other programs, and hopefully host more mentor dates and events within the school,” said Johnson.

A man in a black shirt and red tie presents to a small seated group in a meeting room.

Johnson credits Wyandotte High School Business Facilitator Sheyvette Dinkens, the Wyandotte PTSA organization, and Wyandotte High School Principal Mary Stewart for their support in help launching and sustaining the mentor program. Johnson says Leadership 20/20, KU Gear Up, and SOFTware also helped make the program special. “I’m looking forward to building upon the foundation that we laid down this year.”