SKYY’S THE LIMIT!

Creative & Performing Arts High’s Skyy Brooks is a once-in-a-lifetime vocal talent. Don’t take our word for it, just consider that she received dual admission to Harvard University and Berklee College of Music — one of only 20 students in the world to get into the dual degree program. Not only was she accepted, but her five-year program is paid in full! She plans to use her voice to spark change, not just as a musical talent, but as an advocate for the black community. Skyy’s already gotten some coverage — see more of her story here and here!

SINGLED OUT

This spring, Science Leadership Academy’s Karston Singleton won first place at the FilmNow Regional High School Festival in the documentary category. His film — Why We Are — exposes and raises awareness about the stigmas around mental and behavioral health. Karston wants to use his passion for filming to help him achieve his goal of eliminating dangerous stigmas, stereotypes and misconceptions about mental health, in order to create a safer world for all. He’ll be pursuing that goal at Rochester Institute of Technology, majoring in Film and Animation. We have no doubt he’ll be a singular voice!

OPEN HAPPINESS!

Constitution High School Senior Tatiana Williams-Taylor is the only SDP student to win the $20K National Coca Cola Scholarship in a decade. She stands out because of her leadership both at school and in her community. She has a passion for the medical and healthcare fields, which led her to being involved in various brain and nervous system studies at Ivy League institutions…while in high school. That passion has been rewarded with a full-ride scholarship to Duke University, where she’ll study pre-med. We’ll toast with a coke to that!

TRAILBLAZER

Carver High School for Engineering & Sciences Senior Toluwanimi (Tolu) Olaleye has blazed her way through high school on a blinding trajectory we can only marvel at. As a Junior,  Tolu represented all SDP students as one of two student BOE representatives. Her time spent working directly with the BOE and Dr. Hite was focused on helping launch initiatives to support students as they (we) struggled through the pandemic. A year later, she became the Carver Senior Class President, and her crowning achievement was implementing quarterly school-wide wellness days at Carver. Since then, she has led efforts to raise funds for the Anti-Violence Partnership of Philadelphia, led the Black Student Union, and participated on the Enginettes Dance Team, CESHS Track Team and National Honor Society. This March, Tolu was crowned the 101st Miss Philadelphia Outstanding Teen — which awards a prize package worth more than $250K, including a full scholarship to Carbini University. Learn more about that honor here. Congratulations Tolu!

WHAT A RACKET (cont.)

Last year we featured the Masterman High School Boy’s Tennis team as the 2nd place runners-up at the PIAA State Tennis Championships. This year, they are state champions — the first Philadelphia Public League Boy’s Tennis team to earn that honor. They were led by senior Emil Jermann, and beat Holy Ghost Prep, Central Columbia, Quaker Valley, Lancaster Country Day to earn the title! According to his coaches, Emil’s maturity and steady calm helped lead the Blue Dragons on their winning run. Congrats to Emil and the entire team!

SOUL-FUL

Overbrook High School’s Souleymane Diarra has stood out throughout his senior year, both on the wrestling mat and in the classroom. This year, he won the gold medal in the 172 lb. weight class at the District XII Wrestling Tournament, leading to his competition in the PIAA Regional Wrestling Championships. He was also selected by Public League coaches for the Most Outstanding Wrestler honor and the Larry Imgrund Award — an honor bestowed on one wrestler who exemplifies dedication and leadership. He’s also maintained above a 3.5 GPA his entire high school career. Souleymane plans to attend Williamson College of Trade and continue wrestling after high school.

MAKING A WAY

Luisangel Diaz has taken a non-traditional path toward graduation. He has overcome some serious medical issues that kept him out of school and nearly derailed his chances of having a successful academic career. But he enrolled in Gateway to College, a dual enrollment partnership with Community College of Philadelphia for students who have disengaged from traditional high school but desire to get back on track and earn a diploma and college credits. Luisangel has excelled at Gateway to College earning As and Bs in all of his college courses and the Octavious Catto Scholarship for the Fall of 2022. Just as important, he has emerged as a leader — he is an active member of the Gateway Leadership Council, and the Institute for Community Engagement & Civic Leadership. He founded the Gateway Movie Club and was instrumental in engaging the Gateway Community during the pandemic by creating and facilitating weekly Jeopardy games. Well done Luisangel!

EXCESSIVE SUCCESS

Philadelphia High School for Girls senior Jaylin Bowens has been accepted to 29 different colleges and universities — which we believe might be some kind of record. She’s decided on Drexel University though, in part because of its generosity in offering her a spot in their Liberty Scholars Program which only accept 65 students annually, nation-wide. The Liberty Scholars Program provides full scholarships to only “the brightest in the nation.” This spring, Drexel surprised Jaylin on campus to announce the news, which Jaylin and her parents have admitted might have been the first time Jaylin was speechless. Jaylin is also a June Senior of the Month, so you can read more about her below!

FAIR-WELL

May was Mental Health Awareness Month and on Thursday, May 26, SDP hosted it’s first Mental Health Awareness Fair. Hundreds of Philadelphia educators, students and community members gathered at 440 to find mental health resources, learn how to fight mental health stigma, gain deeper understanding of mental health issues, and participate in some wellness and self-care. Thank you to everyone who participated! We cannot wait for next year’s fair. Visit the Office of Prevention & Intervention website to learn more about the District’s student mental health services and resources.

SPEAK UP!

The 2022 District-Wide Survey closes this Friday, June 10. Parents, guardians, teachers, principals, APs and school support staff should take this opportunity to let your voice be heard. Staff can access the survey through the employee portal. Parents/guardians can complete it online or by mail.

HAPPY PRIDE MONTH FROM THE OFFICE OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

We have to be visible. We should not be ashamed of who we are. – Sylvia Rivera

It is important to acknowledge the many people who are a part of out LGBTQIA+ community for Pride Month, and year round. This is an exciting time to celebrate and acknowledge the many accomplishments that our LGBTQIA+ community brings to SDP and beyond. It is also important to remember that as we celebrate, there is an abundance of Anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation being proposed and passed in our country. So how can we, as allies, make sure that we are doing everything we can to support, uplift, and stay active to promote equity for everyone.

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has released a handy guide on allyship that you can read if you are wondering what part you can play in helping to create a more equitable world this pride month. View the June newsletter (below) to find the HRC Ally Guide, additional Pride Month events and resources, and other DEI activities for this month.