Dancing, excitement at college signing day with Dawn Staley - Philadelphia Public School Notebook

May 02, 2019 at 07:10AM

High school seniors filled the Liacouras Center at Temple University, clapping and dancing for the schools they will attend next year while cheerleaders and college mascots from local universities circled the floor. The College Signing Day was a chance for these seniors to celebrate going on to college with performances and speeches from Philly-born artists and professionals.

"I want to remind you that your future is truly limitless," School Board President Joyce Wilkerson said to the crowd. "Don't let any obstacles get in your way."

Before any of the speeches began, the lyrics of Cardi B filled the stadium, sending students onto their feet to dance with friends. Girls from the Franklin Learning Center filled one isle, their moves drawing applause and attention from the stadium. Another group of girls wearing t-shirts for Norfolk State University quickly filled the opposite isle, their dancing shifting the attention back to their side of the room until an entire squad of Franklin Learning Center cheerleaders ran from the floor to back up their classmates — to applause and cheers from the stands. Both groups spent those 10 minutes laughing along with the crowd.

Students from FLC dance in the aisles of college signing day, looking across at their competition. (Photo: Greg Windle)

Anea Moore, who went to Julia R Masterman and is currently a Rhodes Scholar about to graduate from the University of Pennsylvania, had a few words of advice for the graduating seniors.

"Don't be afraid to ask for help," Moore said. "And don't forget where you come from. For centuries people have known that knowledge is power. That's why minorities have been barred from it."

Students cheered for local rapper LGP QUA, who dropped out of school in 10^th grade but encouraged them not to take his path. The show also featured a performance by the children of Philly singer Wanya Morris, a member of Boyz II Men. His four young sons sang and danced to various songs, including ABC by the Jackson Five.

The sons of Wanya Morris sing ABC by the Jackson Five. (Photo: Greg Windle)

Aaron McKie graduating Simon Gratz high school and went on to play for the Portland Trailblazers before becoming the basketball coach for Temple University's Owls.

"Chase your dreams through hard work," McKie told the crowd. "Commit to your strategy, work through the ups and downs, and you'll be on your path to success."

"Why not you? It happened for me."

College Signing Day is a project of former First Lady Michelle Obama through her Reach Higher Initiative. There are some 1200 such pep rallies across the country to celebrate students college acceptances and promote their future aspirations. Obama herself attended last year's Philadelphia College Signing Day.

Wednesday's event also featured giveaway for several laptops, book scholarships and gift cards.

Randomly selected students receive $1,000 scholarships towards the cost of books. (Photo: Greg Windle)

High school counselors were lauded and celebrated by speakers and students alike. Amirah Sullivan is a counselor and alumna of Strawberry Mansion high school.

"There are trying moments every year as we go through the process together," Sullivan said. "I am so proud of all of your accomplishments."

Students gave a big round of applause for their counselors, with cheering students from several schools forming knots around a particular seat – presumably the seat occupied by their counselor.

Student school board members Alfredo Pratico and Julia Frank announced an award for high school counselors. This year it went to Alexis Musgrove of Lankenau high school.

Student school board members Alfredo Pratico and Julia Frank give an award for school counseling to Ms. Musgrove of Lankenau high school. (Photo: Greg Windle)

"It takes a village," Pratico said. "So, thanks to some of the adults in our lives who have brought us here."

They were followed by a performance from Bri Steves, a rapper and graduate of Temple University.

Bri Steves performs at College Signing Day. (Photo: Greg Windle)

The day's keynote speaker was Dawn Staley, a hall-of-fame basketball player who has made the Temple women's basketball team a force to reckon with.

"I want to give you all a shout-out for all the hard work you put in," Staley said. "When you go to school I want you to thank your counselors for the hard work they put in."

Staley said she was a good student in high school, but struggled when she got to college.

"I almost got kicked out for academics," Staley said. "When you fail a test or a paper, you've got to use those college resources."

Her advice to students was to get to know their professors, and take advantage of their help.

"Go to their office hours and talk to them outside of their classroom," she said. "The disciplined person can do anything.

"And whatever college or university you go to – take Philly with you."

High school seniors filled the Liacouras Center at Temple University, clapping and dancing for the schools they will attend next year while cheerleaders and college mascots from local universities circled the floor. The College Signing Day was a chance for these seniors to celebrate going on to college with performances and speeches from Philly-born artists and professionals.

"I want to remind you that your future is truly limitless," School Board President Joyce Wilkerson said to the crowd. "Don't let any obstacles get in your way."

Before any of the speeches began, the lyrics of Cardi B filled the stadium, sending students onto their feet to dance with friends. Girls from the Franklin Learning Center filled one isle, their moves drawing applause and attention from the stadium. Another group of girls wearing t-shirts for Norfolk State University quickly filled the opposite isle, their dancing shifting the attention back to their side of the room until an entire squad of Franklin Learning Center cheerleaders ran from the floor to back up their classmates — to applause and cheers from the stands. Both groups spent those 10 minutes laughing along with the crowd.

Students from FLC dance in the aisles of college signing day, looking across at their competition. (Photo: Greg Windle)

Anea Moore, who went to Julia R Masterman and is currently a Rhodes Scholar about to graduate from the University of Pennsylvania, had a few words of advice for the graduating seniors.

"Don't be afraid to ask for help," Moore said. "And don't forget where you come from. For centuries people have known that knowledge is power. That's why minorities have been barred from it."

Students cheered for local rapper LGP QUA, who dropped out of school in 10^th grade but encouraged them not to take his path. The show also featured a performance by the children of Philly singer Wanya Morris, a member of Boyz II Men. His four young sons sang and danced to various songs, including ABC by the Jackson Five.

The sons of Wanya Morris sing ABC by the Jackson Five. (Photo: Greg Windle)

Aaron McKie graduating Simon Gratz high school and went on to play for the Portland Trailblazers before becoming the basketball coach for Temple University's Owls.

"Chase your dreams through hard work," McKie told the crowd. "Commit to your strategy, work through the ups and downs, and you'll be on your path to success."

"Why not you? It happened for me."

College Signing Day is a project of former First Lady Michelle Obama through her Reach Higher Initiative. There are some 1200 such pep rallies across the country to celebrate students college acceptances and promote their future aspirations. Obama herself attended last year's Philadelphia College Signing Day.

Wednesday's event also featured giveaway for several laptops, book scholarships and gift cards.

Randomly selected students receive $1,000 scholarships towards the cost of books. (Photo: Greg Windle)

High school counselors were lauded and celebrated by speakers and students alike. Amirah Sullivan is a counselor and alumna of Strawberry Mansion high school.

"There are trying moments every year as we go through the process together," Sullivan said. "I am so proud of all of your accomplishments."

Students gave a big round of applause for their counselors, with cheering students from several schools forming knots around a particular seat – presumably the seat occupied by their counselor.

Student school board members Alfredo Pratico and Julia Frank announced an award for high school counselors. This year it went to Alexis Musgrove of Lankenau high school.

Student school board members Alfredo Pratico and Julia Frank give an award for school counseling to Ms. Musgrove of Lankenau high school. (Photo: Greg Windle)

"It takes a village," Pratico said. "So, thanks to some of the adults in our lives who have brought us here."

They were followed by a performance from Bri Steves, a rapper and graduate of Temple University.

Bri Steves performs at College Signing Day. (Photo: Greg Windle)

The day's keynote speaker was Dawn Staley, a hall-of-fame basketball player who has made the Temple women's basketball team a force to reckon with.

"I want to give you all a shout-out for all the hard work you put in," Staley said. "When you go to school I want you to thank your counselors for the hard work they put in."

Staley said she was a good student in high school, but struggled when she got to college.

"I almost got kicked out for academics," Staley said. "When you fail a test or a paper, you've got to use those college resources."

Her advice to students was to get to know their professors, and take advantage of their help.

"Go to their office hours and talk to them outside of their classroom," she said. "The disciplined person can do anything.

"And whatever college or university you go to – take Philly with you."

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