Saturday, December 31, 2011

Happy New Year 2012!


 Happy New Year 2012!

2011 Good News Year in Review


This year really went fast. Although the economy was bad, we did have some good news coming out of the community and I wanted to recognize those who made their contributions. These groups are listed in no particular order. Individuals were not identified because it takes a lot of people sharing good news to pull this off. To review any of the stories just go to search. Hope I didn’t miss anyone. Sorry to say Chester Upland has not had much good news lately. One special note about a recent quote floating around, “Without a struggle there can be no progress,” may resonate with some but a fortune cookie I just had revealed, “No snowflake in an avalanche ever feels responsible,” (Voltaire) resonates with me more. To read stories on Chester Upland School District I could not report on (For obvious reasons, this is a good news blog.) refer to these sources: Delcotimes.com, C-City Blogger, Chester Green, The Chester Wire, The Spirit, and so on.

Hoping, wishing, praying… for more Good News in 2012! 

Widener University
City of Chester
Boys and Girls Club
Rotary Club of Chester
Key Club
Chester Community Charter School
Frederick Douglass Christian School
Chester Clippers Basketball Team
Chester Clipper Football Team
Chester High School Cheerleaders
National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, inc. Xi Chapter: Xinos and Kudos
Crozer Library
Chester Youth Collaborative
YWCA of Chester
Chester Children’s Chorus
Salvation Army
Kollective Talent
Chester Biddy League
Harrah’s in Chester
The Chester Wire
Local 413
City Team
The United Age Group Track Coaches Association (UAGTCA)
Chester High Octagon Club
Youth Court
Chester High Entrepreneurship Club
Chester High School Boys and Girls Track & Field
Chester High School Department Science Fair
Delcotimes.com


Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Xinos and Kudos Holiday Skating Party

Xinos (dsbpix)

A skating party was sponsored by the NSPDK at CN Skating Palace. The youth groups Xinos and Kudos sold tickets for a fundraiser to benefit education. It was a nice turnout as fun was had by all. Past Xinos and Kudos took some time out from their college break to participate in the event. It sure was nice to see them again and doing so well. They came out to support the current youth groups. 

Kudos (dsbpix)


The Jameer Nelson/Pete Nelson Classic at Widener University

Jameer Nelson and his brother Maurice Nelson (dsbpix)

The tournament that bears the name of Nelson and his father, the eighth installment of the Jameer Nelson/Pete Nelson Classic, “a four-day, three-site platform includes flashy teams with high-profile players in showcase games attended by scouts.”

The round-robin tournament opened Tuesday and concludes Friday. Here are some of the marquee matchups:

Penn Wood takes on St. Joseph’s (Metuchen, N.J.) at 4:45 this afternoon, and Chester entertains Imhotep Charter at 8:15 tonight, both at Widener.
Friday, also at Widener, Upper Darby contends with Norristown at noon, Interboro and William Tennent go at it at 1:30 and Chester plays Hodgson (Del.) at 8:30.

Though he’s grown accustomed to big-game atmospheres, Nelson said he recalls feeling anxiety as a Chester sophomore making his varsity debut. Because the Nelson Classic could represent the first big-game situation for some, Nelson offered a bit of advice.

“Go at it like a normal game,” said Nelson, the 2000 Daily Times Player of the Year. “You’re playing in front of your family and friends, so just have fun.

To read the full story Click Here
BASKETBALL: Nelson’s giving includes elite field at his Classic
By CHRISTOPHER A. VITO
cvito@delcotimes.com

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Widener University Names Stephen Wilhite Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs


Chester, Pa. – Dr. Stephen Wilhite of Philadelphia, Pa. has been appointed provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Widener University. He has served as acting provost since June when Dr. Jo Allen left the university to become president of Meredith College in Raleigh, N.C. 

As provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, Wilhite oversees the administrative and curricular work of planning, budgeting, goal-setting and assessment of academic programs for the university’s eight schools and colleges. He also oversees the Student Affairs division of the university, and special programming such as honors, cooperative education and academic support programs. 

“Stephen Wilhite has demonstrated his commitment to Widener’s mission and has been a leader in promoting it nationally,” said Widener University President James T. Harris III. “Dr. Wilhite is an ideal candidate for this role, and I am delighted he is willing to serve in this important capacity.”

Prior to assuming the role of acting provost, Wilhite served as associate provost for graduate studies and as founding dean of the School of Human Service Professions, which includes the Center for Education, the Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology, the Center for Social Work Education, and the Institute for Physical Therapy Education. He was also a driving force behind the development of the Widener Partnership Charter School – the state’s first university-based charter school – serving as the first chair of its board. 

Wilhite joined Widener in 1983 as an assistant professor of psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences. In 1988, he was named the assistant provost for graduate studies and director of the Honors Program in General Education. He was promoted to full professor and associate provost in 1993, and the School of Human Service Professions was founded that same year.

A native of Tennessee, Wilhite attended Emory University in Atlanta, where he graduated with highest honors. Upon his graduation, he earned a Marshall Scholarship to attend the University of Oxford in England, where he earned his doctorate in human experimental psychology. 

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Santa Brigade Visits Chester Community Charter School

Mayor Butler and Santa

Students were excited to see Santa as he made his yearly visit to Chester Community Charter School. Students were given gifts of books, games, and toys.

To read more on this joyous occasion and to see some great pictures of the event: Click Here

From CCCS:

“May you and your family enjoy every warm and wonderful moment of this holiday season!”

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Christmas Bells are Ringing at Frederick Douglass Christian School


It was a joyous occasion for a get together of parents, family, and friends to enjoy a Christmas show by students from the Frederick Douglass Christian School. The auditorium was filled as the audience listened to traditional Christmas Carols. Below are a few pictures. To see the video Click Here
I was greeted by the Wise men.
 Christmas Carols song by students

 From Frederick Douglass Christian School
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Christmas Toy Store at the Chester Boys and Girls Club


The Andrew L.Hicks Foundation Jr. will be opening a FREE toy store for all members of the Chester Boys/Girls Club & Chester Biddy Basketball and Cheerleaders. Every club member or Chester Biddy player/cheerleaders will be given the same amount of play money which can be used to purchase NEW toys at the Christmas Toy Store.

The Toy Store will be open on Saturday December 17th from 9am-5pm.

If you are a member Please come after your game and pick out some FREE toys. Given with love by the Andrew L. Hicks Jr. Foundation!

A special thanks goes out to LarryYarbray and staff of the Boys & Girls Club for including our Chester Biddy Family in this event!

Ralph Dorsey

Bank of America seeks Applicants for Student Leaders Program

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation’s Student Leaders Program is accepting applications for the 2012 program.

Since its inception in 2004, the Bank of America Student Leaders Program has recognized more than 1,600 exemplary high school juniors and seniors with a passion for improving their communities.  The program helps students gain a greater understanding of how nonprofits create impact in the community and helps develop them as the next generation of community leaders through two components:

    * A summer 2012 eight-week paid internship with selected nonprofit organizations designed to provide opportunities for the students to develop and apply leadership skills through hands-on work experience, while raising their awareness of community issues addressed by their host organization.

    * A week-long all-expense paid Student Leadership Summit in Washington , D.C. , July 15-20. Conducted in partnership with the Close Up Foundation, the Summit introduces students to aspects of civic, social and business leadership and provides them with knowledge and skills they will use throughout their life to create positive community change.
The deadline for applications is January 25th. For more details Click Here         

Santa Claus to Visit Chester Charter School for the 13th Consecutive Year


Chester, Pa. December 15, 2011 - For the 13th consecutive year, on Friday, December 16, every student at Chester Community Charter School (CCCS) will receive a gift during the school’s annual Santa Brigade event. Approximately 3,000 gifts are being donated to the students by Vahan and Danielle Gureghian of CSMI, LLC, which manages the school. The total value of the gifts, this year, is an estimated $48,600 and has constituted about $394,200, since its inception. 

In addition to their presents, students in kindergarten and first grade will receive a special surprise, as their gifts will be hand-delivered by Santa Claus, himself, as he distributes toys throughout the morning, on the school’s east and west campuses. Second-through-eighth-grade students will have classroom parties, along with their receipt of gifts.

With approximately 3,000 students, the Chester-based school is the largest K-through-8th grade charter school in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The Santa Brigade program was launched in 1998, when the school founders wanted to ensure all of the school’s children would enjoy a happy holiday season. 

WHO:              
Dr. David Clark, CEO, Chester Community Charter School
More than 3,000 students and staff of Chester Community Charter School
Santa Claus
Wanda Mann, school board president, Chester-Upland School District

WHEN:  Friday, December 16, 2011
                9:30a-11:15a
WHERE:  Chester Community Charter School
                   East Campus
                   225 East 5th Street
                   Chester, PA 19013