University of Illinois football players Tavon Wilson and Spencer Harris visited Edison Middle School to talk with students involved in Edison's AVID Program. The focus for the series is to educate young children and their parents on the college admission process. The players used the opportunity to encourage the students to work hard in the classroom and strive to be the best they can be. Mikel Leshoure, a former graduate of Centennial High School and AVID participant, shared his experiences on how it helped him get to where he is today. The appearance was part of the Hometown Heroes program.

Hometown Heroes is a community outreach program that provides our student-athletes with opportunities to interact with youth from Champaign County while spreading an anti-drug, anti-gang and pro-Illini message. This program enables our student-athletes to develop their speaking skills while impacting the lives of others as they serve as role models for the youth of our community.