CLASS OF 2009 HIGHLIGHTS
Perched atop the Comcast Building, a miniature William Penn felt the “winds of change.” Though a blowing storm threatened a baseball team’s quest for the ultimate prize, Philadelphia proved it could once again be a city of champions. The blustery winds of the Meadowlands failed to deter our Eagles from a playoff spot. And, for the first time in history, a person of color emerged victorious from a presidential election, blowing out old prejudices with tornado force.
Like a gentle southern breeze, a new principal brought a breath of fresh air and new perspective to a high school already on the road to excellence. March winds blew in letters of acceptance and scholarship awards to the Class of 2009 graduates, earning them acceptances at such prestigious institutions of higher learning as Penn State/University Park, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, Dominican University of California, Drexel University, and Ursinus College. A whirlwind of over one hundred sixty merit-based scholarships were awarded including the Comcast Leaders and Achievers Award, The Best Buy Scholarship, Presidential and Dean’s Scholarships, and the Chichester Education Foundation Scholarships.
Sixty-eight percent of the Class of 2009 will enroll in post secondary programs. The wind vane points in all directions - some students will venture only a few miles to local colleges, while others will expand their horizons to North Carolina, California, Minnesota, and Virginia. Family and community ties have kept many students right in our neighborhood. Eleven students will enroll at Neumann University, seven at Widener University, and three at Drexel University. The affordable tuition at state and community colleges has enticed thirty-four students to attend Delaware County Community College and two to attend Community College of Philadelphia. Ten graduates will attend West Chester University, three will enroll at Kutztown University, five at Millersville, and one at Lock Haven University. The Commonwealth Universities have attracted fourteen graduates to Penn State, eight to Temple University, and one each to Lincoln University and the University of Pittsburgh.
The Class of 2009’s most popular majors include biology, business and finance, criminal justice, healthcare, and public education. Many women, students of diverse ethnic backgrounds, and special needs students have opted for non-traditional science and engineering careers, utilizing both the skills and the inspiration received in Chichester classrooms. The class includes six prospective engineers with mechanical, chemical, architectural, and computer concentrations. Six students will embark on a teaching career.
Allied health careers and pre-professional science majors have attracted forty-nine students. Health majors include such specialties as medical assistant (five students), dental assistant (six students), nursing (eleven students), pre-pharmacy and physical therapy. Increased awareness of healthy lifestyles will encourage students to major in athletic training and sports medicine.
Eleven graduates will pursue business careers including majors in international business, actuary science, management, accounting, and finance. Among the remaining declared majors are communications, psychology, speech pathology, and culinary arts. Five students will enhance our culture with the visual arts as they train in fashion design, animation, illustration, and computer game simulation.
Fourteen graduates will serve the United States in the Armed Services. Many will apply vocational skills acquired in high school to a variety of professions including automotive mechanics, cosmetology, electrical wiring, HVAC, food service, carpentry, and building construction. Graduates of the Delaware County Technical Schools hope to secure apprenticeships in the electrical and carpenters’ unions. Fourteen percent of the class will enter the workforce immediately upon graduation, many with intentions to pursue higher education in September 2010.
Powered by a superior education and motivated by unlimited dreams, the Class of 2009 stands ready to face future challenges. Do not fear the crosswinds; know that a kite rises against the wind, not with it. As you sail away from the safe harbor of Chichester High School, follow the advice of Mark Twain and “catch the wind in your sails.” Go forth to “explore, dream, and discover!”