Story and Photos By: TUHS PRESS Staff

The City Hall courtyard was crowded with people – some carrying all their belongings, wearing raggedy clothes and messed up shoes; others, better dressed people with their little kids joined the homeless — standing in the hot sun for free hot dogs, hamburgers and more.

They all came together to celebrate Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell’s birthday. Police stood by watching, but there were few problems to pull their attention – just people cooking on grills or serving out of deep aluminum foil pans and a popular vendor on this very hot day, Fred’s Water Ice, an operation that had traveled downtown from Southwest Philadelphia.

Politicians addressed the crowd and there was music and dancing as well, at the annual party for the homeless that the councilwoman sponsored on July 15.
It’s a way of “telling people we care about them,” said Joe Tisdale, who said he was pleased the councilwoman sponsored the event.

“We can make a change,” said Sheila Taylor, expressing concern about the plight of the homeless.

This is the 14th year for the lunchtime event said Councilwoman Blackwell during an interview. “I love to serve the homeless population everyday and try to help as many people as I can.  This brings all people together, keeps people out of the streets and the shelters. It’s just to let them know that we do care and that we are all people,” she said.

“I look at them as if they are my brother and my sister and I reach out to them because we are only people and being homeless is just a condition. It doesn’t define who we are based on that by the actions of their heart.”

One man named Elton recalled how he became homeless.  A friend who was also his landlord announced he was selling his house and told Elton to get out quickly.  The next day as Elton was sleeping, men in hardhats and yellow vest came to demolish the house.  Elton found living in shelters difficult to endure.  “They were overcrowded and smelly,” he said explaining that he didn’t want to take a shower at a shelter. “Homeless people are a problem in this city.  If America is so rich, then we shouldn’t have problems like this,” he added.

“It’s only good for one day,” said a man who would only identify himself as Michael, “The next day, they will be doing the same thing they were doing before: eating out of a trash can.  They have to find a way to survive.”

Alice Wright, 70, also was among the crowd. “I think it’s wonderful that the Councilwoman does not only do this for the homeless, it’s everybody.  For her to share her birthday with someone else is great.  She is a blessing.”

Photos By: JAMEL CRAWFORD
A. Philip Randolph Career Academy
and SINDORA STALLWORTH

“I love animals and I‘m willing to work,” said Destiny Feggins, a senior at W.B. Saul High School of Agricultural Sciences in Roxborough. This summer Feggins and her peers are learning how to work with animals in order to get them adapted to human interaction.“You have to get down and dirty,” she said as she wiped the sweat off of her head.

“It’s fun and many people don’t know about our school. Many students that attend other schools around the city call it the farm school,” she said.

Founded in 1943, the school was named in honor of Walter Biddle Saul, a former president and prominent attorney of the school board of Philadelphia. Saul High School is the largest agricultural high school in America.

Many people don’t know that there is a farm on the opposite side of the high school. This farm is approximately 150 acres of land meant specifically for students to work with farm animals and crops. Currently the high school is growing in its student population. There are 15 major agriculture classes and expanding programs for students. W.B. Saul has a graduation rate of 95 percent and more than 80 percent of graduates continue their education at post-secondary institutions. In 2004, W.B. Saul seniors earned in excess of $250,000 in scholarship money, including $145, 000 in agricultural-specific awards. Much of the high school funding comes from Land-O–Lakes and Weavers  Way. Many students who attend the high school are involved in programs supported through the school.

“I want experience in the animal field. Farming is a good learning experience and teaches you about responsibility,“ said Joshua Veloz, a senior and returning intern.

Some of the common responsibilities at the agricultural school are washing and giving vaccinations to animals. Josie Baxt, a senior student, enjoys working with the animals on the farm. Sheep, horses, pigs and steers are often what she caters to on the farm. One of the reasons why she is enrolled as a full-time high school student at Saul is so she can pursue her dreams of becoming a veterinarian.

For Feggins and Veloz, they go to Saul because it’s different than a traditional public high school. Saul High School gives many students in the city a unique outlook on agriculture as well as other academics that aren’t usually a choice as career opportunities in city schools.

Story and Photos By: QUE SCOTT
Overbrook High School

Rihanna had a concert; I won a ticket to attend! It was held on Saturday, July 23rd in Philly and this was the first ever event I traveled to by myself.

As I began the trip, I was excited, hot and even more excited. After catching the 52, the El and then the Broad Street Sub I met five girls while traveling. When I finally got down to the sports complex area, I saw concertgoers who were all dressed up in fancy clothing. Many of them had on heavy make up, Rihanna costumes and fire-engine red wigs. I figured they were going to the concert since they looked very similar to Rihanna. I was surprised to see these types of styles for the concert.

I asked a group of Latina girls if they were going to the concert. They said yes, and they seemed very nice so I walked with them since I was unsure about what building to go to. The sports complex has several stadiums and other buildings there — different games and events were happening that night and it was a bit confusing, but there was a lot to see.

I took pictures of the Rihanna tour bus and the vendor’s stand and some of the people in the audience that were already seated in the arena. J. Cole opened up the show, then a rap artist from North Carolina performed about six songs. Then it was Rihanna’s turn, but it took Rihanna an hour and a half to finally come out. I was beginning to get tired of waiting for her. But, when she performed, she gave us the treat of many songs. She danced and changed into several different costumes, I was trying to get lots of pictures of her and I video recorded her during the show.

After the show, I got back on the Sub, the El and met two other concert attendees. They were so funny and made my trip come  to a wonderful close. I found out that one of them goes to my school. My new friends and I then went to McDonald’s, walked around the neighborhood and we kept talking about the concert until it was time to go home. I had lots of fun!

Rihanna performed at the Wells Fargo Center on Saturday, July 23.

Story By: DADO NIANGHANE
Jules E. Mastbaum AVTS

Photos By: QUE SCOTT
Overbrook High School

The Rihanna concert lived up to the name of her fifth album: Loud.

J.Cole gave an over-the-top performance that was a great choice for an opening act.

After J.Cole’s opening act, concertgoers sat almost an hour until the lights were finally dimmed. Then Rihanna emerged from in

side a spectacularly lit silver ball while belting out the lyrics to “Only Girl (In the World).”

Throughout the concert, Rihanna obviously didn’t need any help from anyone as she seemingly cast a spell on the nearly sold-out show at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on July 23rd.

The concert ended with a grand finale and confetti was released onto the crowd below.

Rihanna and her dancers certainly didn’t leave much to the imagination, there was bumping, grinding, and Rihanna even straddled  an audience member. Mothers and fathers brought their nine- and 10-year-olds to the concert; everyone was enthralled by the sexually-charged acts.

The concert was also a visually interesting show. There were sparklers, videos, a pink cannon, a rock-guitar soloist and part of the stage moved on something that resembled a conveyer belt.
Rihanna performed about a dozen costume changes that all helped to enhance the visual experience.

She closed the concert with “Umbrella,” the longest running number one single of the previous decade.
Rihanna wasn’t the only “Rihanna” at the concert – there were clones everywhere. Rihanna impersonators who donned  bright red wigs and the crazy body suits were almost like part of the show. “It’s all just about being fun and having a great time,” said Jessica Fawn when asked about her getup. “I love Rihanna so this was definitely one of the best concerts of my life. I will definitely be going to another Rihanna concert soon.”

Story By: KENISHA PINCKNEY
Jules E. Mastbaum AVTS
Photos By: ZYHIR BAKER-ELAM
Abraham Lincoln High School

What do teenagers want? Teenagers want to have fun and venture off to discover new things.

These new elements of discovery ensure that teens will never grow bored. In addition, teenagers are constantly growing and searching for answers. So this also provokes them to want to learn more and gain more knowledge.”

There’s one place where some teenagers can find what they truly want and that’s at a summer camp called, “Sunrise of Philadelphia.”

Sunrise of Philadelphia is a six-week summer program located at 1901 South 9th Street in South Philadelphia. This program is located in the culinary shop of Bok Area Vocational Technical High School, an award winning facility.

While Bok facilitates Sunrise, the students are part of WorkReady, a program that provides work opportunities for teenagers without summer jobs.

Sunrise tends to be special among all of the other camps around the city. One of the instructors from this program stated, “What’s special about [Sunrise] is that the staff invites us to have sort of a family atmosphere and then we’re more of a work study verses a camp. So we learn as well as work at the same time.”

Gratefully, Sunrise students experie

nce a family oriented atmosphere. Enhancing that atmosphere students prepare easy and healthy foods. For example, students prepare Italian food, desserts, salads, drinks, and dressings. All food is prepared from scratch and is then dished out mainly to the staff and program participants.

Most of the students in the program come from different schools around Philadelphia. Although, they all come from different places they share fun and happiness with each other. They believe that Sunrise gives them something to do rather than getting in trouble on the streets.

A sophomore from Bok mentioned, “they care for us students and as children they don’t want us to be out on the streets.”

In fact, Sunrise is a place where students can make new friends, earn money and stay in a safer environment.

Students at Sunrise acquired information about the program through school, previous years at a summer job, through family me

mbers and teachers. Once students found out that they were eligible for a six-week culinary program that paid bi-weekly, students rushed for the opportunity.

At the end of Sunrise’s program the students are then educated enough to partake in a competition where students from different areas get involved. A challenge such as this prepares the students and encourages them to cook for the future.

The information retained is valuable for years to come and it opens up different career choices. Moreover, students feel that the teachers and instructors care to help, they lend support, stimulate social spirits, encourage students to think outside the box, embrace differences and push for dedication.

All in all, the Sunrise of Philadelphia summer camp at Bok High School is the one stop shop for teenagers to be free and gain experience for their future.

Vallery Salomoy (left) and Rovert Cooper (right).

Story By: HENRY BEARD
Kensington CAPA High School

Photos By: ALEXA HICKLIN
Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush High School

At JMT Engineering in Center City, the atmosphere is nice and the people are nice, according to Vallery Salomoy, 17, a senior at Swenson Arts and Technology, who lives in Oxford Circle.

JMT, one of the top highway design firms in the nation is multi-disciplined architectural/engineering employee owned company that offers a full array of consulting and technology services for infrastructure projects throughout the United States.

Salomoy heard about the job from his engineering teacher.  However, this summer he has been “just learning how to work in the office.”

Salomoy and Cooper work together on the computer for a project at JMT Engineering.

Besides engineering, Salomoy likes science, the piano, violin, and music.

JMT’s other intern, Robert Cooper, 17, also is a senior at Swenson Arts and Technology. He started his career track playing with Legos. “Ever since I was a little kid I loved playing with Legos.”

Cooper wants to become an architect but was directed to JMT by a teacher who is trying to get Cooper interested in engineering as well.

Besides Legos and architecture, Cooper said, “I like track and field, criminology, and hip hop dance, and also
helping people.”

Sasha Santiago

Story By: ZYHIR BAKER-ELAM
Abraham Lincoln High School Photos

Photo By: DONTE GREEN
A. Philip Randolph Career Academy

At the Philadelphia International Airport there are two young teenage students that work behind a desk in the human resources department. One is named Sasha Santiago and the other is named Daishalina Vazquez.

Santiago, 19, a new graduate of Mastbaum High School and lives in South Philadelphia. Santiago has been working at the Airport for one month and has three years of job experience.
Asked what she does at work, Santiago said, “I purchase orders, put old documents into the computer, run errands and help with conferences.” She likes this job. “This job is fun but it can be boring,” she said. “Lots of paper and lots of running around.”

Santiago found this internship through the School District of Philadelphia. She thinks the job will help her in her life. “It will look good for my resume,” she said “and shows that I have good typing skills.”

Daishalina Vazquez

Daishalina Vazquez, 17, is a new graduate of Thomas Edison High School. She lives in North Philadelphia.  Vazquez has been working at the airport for four weeks now and has two years of job experience. Vazquez processes purchase orders, puts old documents into the computer, runs errands and helps with conferences. Asked why she likes her job, she said, “This job is fun, and I want to apply for this job full-time. It’s a great environment and will help me later in life.”
Vazquez found this job after she applied for an internship two years in a row, and the WorkReady Philadelphia program found this job for her. When Vazquez was asked why do you think this job will help you later in life, she answered, “This job is fun, and I have more experience and it will help me get better. I can show that I’m a good typer, and I could become a better typer.”

Both Santiago and Vazquez really like their jobs at the airport. Both hope to be able to work full-time at the airport and are happy that their internships are helping prepare them for better futures.

Kenneth Perry

Story By:  SHAQUIL TAYLOR
Benjamin Franklin High School

Photos By: ALEXA HICKLIN
Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush High School

The Philly Project P.R.I.D.E., Inc. is a program established to build character in young men and woman and to prepare them for what is to come in the world.This program helps with developing internal skill sets and gives young people another helping hand in becoming successful men and woman.  P.R.I.D.E. stands for Personal Recognition Ignites Deliberate Emotions.

Founder and President Kenneth Perry was born and raised in Middletown, Conn. and now works as mentor to young men and woman in Philadelphia, Pa. He received his Associates degree from Mitchell College, his Bachelors from West Virginia University, and his Masters from Temple University and his Principal Certification from Cheyney University.

TUHS Press reporter, Shaquil Taylor, interviews Kenneth Perry about Philly Project P.R.I.D.E.

Perry said that “Once you understand who you are you can make a great impact on the world.”  So in the Philly Project Perry is responsible for helping public school kids with the college process.  He also said that “college is an aspect but its not the aspect,” meaning that it’s not what you have but how you use it and how much effort you put into it. He teaches his kids to surround themselves with good people and if the company you keep is not helping you get where you are going don’t let them hold you back.   Perry said he feeds the children information about what is needed for them when they are getting ready for college and how to go about arranging the financial situations associated with college.

Philly Project P.R.I.D.E. is in the public schools that provide funding and it operates on Saturdays at University City High School.  Perry started the program in 2007 but prior to the project he looked after many kids and gave them a good sense of direction.  Perry believes that “no community is greater than the production of its children,” which is reflected in his work at Philly Project P.R.I.D.E.

For Perry the children come first. Children are the future and education is more important than putting up new buildings, said Perry. Philly Project P.R.I.D.E. is open to any individual who is trying to find help to better him or herself for the future.

Sessi Adin

Story By: KENISHA PINCKNEY
Jules E. Mastbaum AVTS

Photos By: SINDORA STALLWORTH
Communications Technology High School

Did you know that 2,660 of our children are born in poverty everyday? Fourteen million children live in poverty in the United States and to meet basic living expenses a family needs an income of at least $48,778, according to a 2010 federal report.

Statistics such as these are continually on the rise and special non-profit organizations try to intervene in efforts to help. The Women’s Christian Alliance is a non-sectarian, non-profit organization that believes young people belong in families and families have a better chance of thriving in strong communities. During the summertime at the Women’s Christian Alliance, young adults from the ages of 14 to 21 provide service for the younger children in the program.

Shaunnay Patton

Shaunnay Patton is a 15-year-old sophomore who attends Frankford High School in the Northeast section of Philadelphia. She works with the youngest children ranging from 2 to 5 years old and in an office where she is responsible for working on her service-learning project. With the children she takes them out to the Pearl Movie Theatre on Tuesdays and Thursdays, teaches them their ABC’s and plays games. She enjoys getting involved with the water games that the children adore playing.

In addition, Patton works in the office as a receptionist, prepares food for the younger children and watches over them during naptime. For her service-learning project Patton must work at a garden on St. Elizabeth’s preparing peppers, tomatoes and fruits for homeless veterans. Part of her work at the garden is to deliver food for victims of STDs, diabetes, HIV and other diseases. While many people would grow exhausted with the duties at WCA she thinks differently, “My experience here is fun. This is just what I do. I work and get paid.” Shaunnay hopes to gain more than enough experience from this job so that she could apply it to future work.

Sessi Adin is a 14-year-old freshman at George Washington Carver High School and she believes that where she works is like a camp and school all at once. She also advocates for the younger children, works on the same service-learning project as Patton but on Wednesdays.

Both ladies learned about the program through friends, school and family. Shaunnay needed to occupy herself with a job to strengthen her self -discipline and sense of responsibility. “I wanted this job so that I could help this agency and provide for myself. When I get older I plan to be more responsible and have greater knowledge into what I’m doing.”

Women's Christian Alliance staff work together on a service learning project.

All in all, both ladies feel that the WCA creates better opportunity for themselves and the community. Without the program they would have nowhere to work in the summer time.

The WCA employs more than 100 people and maintains a current budget of six million dollars. Also, they supply resources and assist more than 5,000 children and families in and around North Central Philadelphia every year. The WCA is located at 1722 Cecil B. Moore in North Philadelphia and was founded by Dr. Melissa Coppin in 1919.  Their purpose is to support and find homes for children, get involved with activities that promote and ensure stability and integrity of families, provide services and programs which are child-focused, family-centered, culturally sensitive and community based and to advocate and influence social policy that develops progressive, rational child welfare practices.

Therefore, the Women’s Christian Alliance is an organization fit for struggling families in the community. They offer a lending hand when others aren’t willing to provide.

Jade Livingston

Story By: JAMEL CRAWFORD
A. Philip Randolph Career Academy
Photos By: DADO NIANGHANE
Jules E. Mastbaum AVTS

Not surprisingly, working at People For People, Inc. (PFP) has taught Chika Duru how to work better with people. Duru, 16, attends G.W. Carver High School of Engineering and Science, where she will be in the 11th grade. She explained the program has been a learning experience that teaches you how to be a well-rounded person. This summer she has enjoyed working with others in a PFP office.

Founded in 1991 by Herbert H. Lusk, the foundational mission of PFP is to drastically reduce the blight of poverty in the North Central Philadelphia community. For over 15 years PFP has helped low-income individuals leave behind their dependency upon welfare and substance abuse by providing education, job training, computer skills training, program certification and counseling.

Nakia Lancaster

Jade Livingston, who also works in the People For People office said, described the program as a good experience. Livingston, 16, a rising junior at Strawberry Mansion High School spends her days answering phones and filing papers. She said that while she likes working with others, she prefers working alone. Livingston said the program keeps her occupied with something to do during the summer.

West Chester University sophomore Nakia Lancaster, 18, works in the Hope Center, in the Pregnancy Center. Nakia helps schedule pregnancy tests and ultrasounds. Also people go there to get counseling on abortion issues.

Lancaster is hoping to be a dentist or orthodontist. She explained that the program is to get students ready for the work world. Also People For Program pushes people into college, she said.

Students working at People For People are required to meet a dress code – no jeans or T-shirts.  The program, Lancaster said, helps build self-awareness. Overall, she says that the program is a good way  to keep students occupied through the summer.