MINNEAPOLIS - Believe it or not, some 6th and 7th graders are becoming better students by learning the game of squash.
"Squash is just a really accessible sport for kids," says Beyond Walls Executive Director Katie Siegel.
It's easy to pick up. The newest class will continue to play it through high school for Beyond Walls Squash, which is a national program that teaches inner city youth to play the game. But the game is just the hook.
"We're actually behind the scenes talking with teachers and parents and checking on their class work that needs to get done." says Siegel.
"They are so enamored with the sport," says Beyond Walls Chairman, Rob Hensel. "Little do they know they are getting tutored along the way."
The kids play squash three days a week for 90 minutes at the University of Minnesota Recreation Center, then do homework with a tutor for another 90 minutes.
"They get to go play squash then they have to come and sit," says Academic Director Jasmine Harris-LaMoth. "And I am the mean person that is making them do their homework."
She may say she's mean, but what she does is also meaningful. The results nationally are astounding with 100 percent of program participants graduating high school and 95 percent going on to college. Giving these kids hope for a brighter future.
"It gives me something to do after school," says participant Persia Larkin. "So I won't get in trouble and I can do my school work
Beyond Walls relies on donations for funding, but the Twin Cities chapter believes that there will be a greater return on the investment for our state.
"I saw what was going on in Boston and they had kids coming back to help and volunteer,'" says Hensler. "Wow, that's a huge return."
But make no mistake the biggest return is satisfaction.
"Just the way it transforms the kid's lives and you get really close to them and you build these great relationships," says Siegel.
Lunging, lobbing and learning for a better livelihood.
(Copyright 2012 by KARE 11. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)