Tag Archives: PHS
Pennsauken Native Raising Funds With T-Shirt
By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor
Pennsauken native Kimberly McDermott has started a “Sauken” themed fundraising campaign to help support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
NFL Players Present Super Bowl Footballs To Alma Mater
By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor
A group of Pennsauken High School alumni who played professional football on the biggest stage returned to their alma mater May 13 for a special presentation of several gold footballs from the National Football League in honor of Super Bowl 50. Dwight Hicks,’74, John Taylor,’80, and Billy Griggs,’79 – representing his late brother, David, ’85 – presented gold footballs for the three former student-athletes from Pennsauken High School who played in a Super Bowl.
Student-Athletes Inspired By Super Bowl Alumni
By Eric Mossop, Athletic Director, Pennsauken High School
This past month, Pennsauken alumni John Taylor, Dwight Hicks, and Billy Griggs came back to their alma mater to present PHS with three gold footballs in honor of alumni who have played in the Super Bowl as part of the NFL’s celebration of Super Bowl 50. During the school day, former San Francisco 49er Dwight Hicks met with student-athletes and delivered a powerful speech about his life; how persistence and competition ultimately led to his success. Weeks later, I still have student-athletes coming into my office telling me how Dwight’s speech – and how he took the time to talk with them one-on-one – has made such a difference in their daily attitudes and motivation. I can’t thank Dwight enough for the time he took out to help motivate our student-athletes.
PHS Class Of 2006 To Hold 10 Year Reunion
Pennsauken High School’s Class of 2006 will hold its 10 year reunion on Friday, Nov. 25 from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. at the Mansion on Main Street in Voorhees, N.J. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased at http://pennsauken2006reunion.brownpapertickets.com. The cost is $80 a person and $150 a couple. For more information, contact Melissa Paolini at melissajpaolini@gmail.com or Alyssia Ortiz at empire1.sp08@yahoo.com.
Science Is ALIVE! Baby Chicks Birthed At PHS
In late March, Mr. Jeffers and Mrs. Edmonds’ Biology classes at Pennsauken High School placed 24 chicken eggs in an incubator in hopes that they would hatch 21 days later. During this time, students gained knowledge on the reproduction and life cycle of chickens. The classes used internet research tools to follow the characteristics of the embryos as they developed inside the eggs. Students were excited to observe the different stages of growth of the 13 chicks that hatched.
PHS Visited By… The Grim Reaper
Pennsauken High School participated in Grim Reaper Day, an event sponsored by the school’s Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) Club.
Students were removed from class by the school’s resource officer, changed into all black clothing, and wore signs that explained how they “died.” These students then returned to class and remained silent for the rest of the day.
Students participated in Grim Reaper Day as a way to draw attention to not only alcohol and drug abuse, but also the poor decisions that teens can make that result in a tragedy. By enacting their own deaths, they put a personal face to what can happen when people put themselves in harm’s way through bad decisions; they hope to make an impact on their peers, impressing the point to stay away from drugs and alcohol and to make better choices.
A special thank you to the Pennsauken Alliance for Substance Abuse (PASA), who helped finance this great event.
PHS Alum And Super Bowl Champ Speaks To Student-Athletes
By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor
“So when you dream, dream large. Dream extra large.”
Those are the words of Dwight Hicks ’74, a PHS alum who played defensive back for the San Francisco 49ers and is a two-time Super Bowl champion. Hicks, who returned to his home town to participate in the special presentation of several gold footballs from the National Football League in honor of Super Bowl 50, spoke to student-athletes at Pennsauken High School about his experiences growing up in town and has path to playing in college and the NFL.
Hicks explained that when he made the decision to play football at the University of Michigan, some thought that the school was too big and he would get lost. But he persevered and played in the Rose Bowl twice. Selected in the sixth round in the NFL draft after graduation, Hicks was cut not once, but twice, finally sticking with the San Francisco 49ers, one of the worst teams in the league at that time. But he worked hard and never gave up. The result: his outstanding play led him to four consecutive Pro Bowl appearances and two Super Bowl rings.
Hicks told the students that they should set big goals for themselves and visualize success in order to achieve their dreams.
“Visualization of your dreams can make them reality. It’s up to you on what you will become. Strive to be the best and challenge yourself. I am you. If I can do it, you can do it.”
Board Of Education Honors High School Students
The Pennsauken Board of Education recognized five students from Pennsauken High School, Briana Roberts, Amanda Bakley, Alexandra Sheriff, Robert Auli, and Fatima Talebi, as students of the month for April. Their achievements were also recognized at special ceremony at the Scottish Rite Ballroom and Auditorium on April 5.
Briana Roberts is being honored for her academic achievement in the category of “Leadership.” She is a 12th grade student at Pennsauken High School with a GPA of 4.05; she is also ranked 19th in the Class of 2016.
Amanda Bakley is being honored for her academic achievement in the category of “School Spirit.” She is a 12th grade student at Pennsauken High School with a GPA of 3.99; Amanda is also ranked 21st in the Class of 2016.
Alexandra Sheriff is being honored for her academic achievement in the category of “Most Courageous Student.” She is a 12th grade student at Pennsauken High School with a GPA of 3.73; she is also ranked 41st in the Class of 2016.
Robert Auli is being honored for his academic achievement in the category of “Performing Arts.” Robert is a 12th grade student at Pennsauken High School with a GPA of 3.77; he is also ranked 38th in the Class of 2016.
Fatima Talebi is being honored for her academic achievement in the category of “Community Service.” She is a 12th grade student at Pennsauken High School with a GPA of 4.06; she is ranked 18th in the class of 2016.
Congratulations to these great students!
PHS Senior Marquan Jones Signs Letter Of Intent
By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor
On April 21, Pennsauken High School senior Marquan Jones made a commitment to further both his academic and athletic career in college, accepting a track and field scholarship at Division I Rider University. With his parents and coaches present, he signed his national letter of intent during a special media event at Pennsauken High School.
PHS Students Visit The Great White Way
By Kristen Weber, AAP Correspondent
Photo credit: Kristen Weber
On April 7, members of Pennsauken High School’s vocal music and musical theatre departments participated in the fifth annual trip to Broadway. In this whirlwind day, the choirs performed at St. Paul’s the Apostle church in a concert for the public. Singing in the second largest church in Manhattan was a wonderful challenge with the incredible acoustics; and the performance featured three soloists from the Double Dozen.
Directly from the concert, the students went to Ripley Grier Studios for a private workshop with Andrew Drost, a five-year cast member from “Phantom of the Opera,” and founder of the Institute for American Musical Theatre. Three more students had the opportunity to perform for Mr. Drost and receive critique, as well as another performance by the combined choirs.
Following lunch, PHS students returned to the studios for an improvisational acting workshop with actress Thia Stephens, culminating with a question and answer period about studying musical theatre in college, living in New York City, and the variety of opportunities within acting. The group was then led on a brief tour of Central Park and down Fifth Ave. to the Drama Bookstore, a treasure trove of plays, musicals, and books on acting, directing, and designing theatre. The day was topped off with dinner and a performance of “Phantom of the Opera,” Broadway’s longest running musical, and a post-show talk back with members of the cast and crew.
