When Alexcia Plummer signed up for her sociology class, she expected to learn about New Orleans public schools, but what she didn’t expect to find was a passion for community service. 

As a class requirement, Plummer works with the A’s and Aces Program — a program that teaches life skills through sports and gives academic support to Orleans Parish public school children. Every Tuesday afternoon, Plummer goes to Hynes Elementary school to teach students how to play to tennis. 

As 3:00 p.m. neared, students began entering the school gym after a long day of classes. 
Plummer, music industry junior, gave a big smile as two students immediately greeted her.  Other students ran to place their school bags down and waited for further directions.

The students began with a brief warm-up, consisting of jogging around the gym and stopping at certain post-marks.  After their adrenaline began pumping, the students seemed excited to begin practicing their tennis shots.

“We first get them familiar with the ball and rackets, and then teach them basics of tennis,” said Plummer.

Plummer had five girls in her group, each having their own turn to play.   As she tossed the tennis ball to the student, she gave them directions on how to hit the ball. 

“Good job!” Plummer yelled as the first few girls managed to hit the ball across the net.

When other students seemed to be having trouble, she taught them how to re-angle their racket to aim at the ball.

In addition to teaching the students how to play tennis, she also acts as a friend and mentor to the kids. 

“I just try to connect with them on a personal level,” Plummer said.  “If one is having a bad day, I usually spot it out and try to help them through it.”

And while Plummer acts as teacher and mentor, she also plays the role of student when the children teach her life lessons.

“From helping these kids, I learned to never take anything for granted,” Plummer said. “There are so many things that I am able to do and there are lots of activities where I can help.

“I’m only required to do 26 hours of service learning. But, I feel like this is a part of me — it’s my passion. I will definitely still come back here and help even after my 26 hours are completed. Since my first day working with the program, I had a wonderful experience helping the kids and teaching them about the sport,” she said.

Program leaders seem happy to have her stay with the program.

“Alexcia has done a very good job, she’s great with the children and always looks like she enjoys helping the kids,” said Anna Monhartova, co-founder of the A’s and Aces program.

“The students are put into unusual situations, which allow them to learn how to adapt to any given situation. The program helps students, like Alexcia, realize what public schools are like,” she said.

By helping underprivileged students, it will help (college students) in the long run,” she said. 

Kieu Tran can be reached at [email protected].

Alexcia Plummer helps a student practice her tennis swing at Hynes Elementary. Plummer has worked with the A’s and Aces program since February for her service learning project.

Music performance junior Alexcia Plummer, center, and Tulane international relations freshman Michelle Fauber, help Hynes Elementary students learn the rules of tennis March 10.