Frankford HS v Northeast HS

Frankford crushed Northeast 17-0 today in the Public League playoffs. Here are a few highlights:

Northeast High School's Tyler Layfield (#29)

Frankford's Israel Diaz (#7) scored a three-run homer in the second inning.

Frankford's Rafael Cruz (#23) pitched a shutout against Northeast, defeating the Vikings 17-0 by the third inning.
Frankford's Ricky Alvarez (#1) slides into second base as Northeast High School's John Alford (#2) catches the ball.
Northeast High School shortstop Luis Contreras (#9) reaches for the ball as Frankford's Ricky Alvarez (#1) slides into second base.

Prom at William Penn Charter

The end of the school year is an exciting time for teens about to embark on a new adventure. Many schools have different methods of keeping the students safe before and after prom. At William Penn Charter, students assemble in front of the school for pictures before a group of trolleys whisks them away to prom. I covered this event for Newsworks last weekend at the East Falls school. Here are some images :



A group of parents hold up their cameras to take photos of students from William Penn Charter before they head off to prom.


(from left) Kevin Ukaegbu, 18, Nicole Thomas, 17, Aleesha Powell, 18, and Andrew Davis, 16, pose for a photo outside of William Penn Charter High School before the prom on Saturday May 21.
Ali Rosen, 18, greets a group of friends as they gather in front of William Penn Charter High School before the prom. When asked if she is excited about the prom, Rosen exclaims "Oh my God, it's my favorite thing ever" before jumping into a photo with a large group of girls.

Caitlin Daly, (right)18, and Kate Higgins, 18, pose for a photo in front of William Penn Charter High School before the prom on Saturday May 21. Both girls purchased their gowns online for the occasion.
Students and parents gathered in front of William Penn Charter on Saturday May 21 for photos before a group of trolleys arrived to take the teenagers to the prom which was held at the Sheraton Hotel in Society Hill.

Bioluminescence

While wondering around in Mt. Airy one day I noticed that there are a lot of beautiful murals and other pieces of art in the Northwest pocket of the city. One mural in particular stood out, it was a mural set about 20 feet above ground on the corner of Mt. Airy Avenue and Germantown Avenue. The colors were so vibrant and the image, while abstract, drew me in. I had to learn more. So I dug a little deeper and tracked down the artist so I could put together a soundslide for Newsworks. The mural was the work of Sara Steele, a local artist who had collaborated with the Mural Arts Program in 2005 to create the first mural in Northwest Philly. I'll let Sara explain :

Good News!

I just found out that my story Moms Interrupted has received Honorable Mention for the category of Investigative Reporting for the 2011 Pennsylvania Newspaper Association's Keystone Press Awards! I could not be happier that this story about women in prison is receiving the recognition it deserves! I am so grateful to Christine Wearry and Antoinette Leak and each of their families, for sharing so much of their lives with me, they really are amazing women. Thank you to the wonderful people from MOMobile and the Philadelphia Prison Systems for allowing me the access I needed to get this project done, and of course my fabulous editor John Scanlon, who was so incredibly patient for over a year as I schlepped back and forth from the prison each week and who's guidance during the editing process ultimately led to a great piece.


Thank you everyone for your encouraging support!

js.

Over the last couple of weeks

Sister Kathleen Touey smiles as students sing for her during a ceremony to commemorate her 25 years as principal of St. Matthew School on Friday April 29.
Captain Neil Calore (right) shakes hands with Deputy of Community Operations Ernest Hargett after docking in front of the Independence Seaport Museum on Wednesday April 27. Calore is rowing from Washington D.C. to New York to raise autism awareness.
Frank O'Donnell holds his hand to his heart as the bugler plays "Taps" at the conclusion of the plaque dedication in honor of his grandfather, Vincent O'Donnell, a police officer who was killed on September 26, 1929 in the line of duty. The plaque was dedicated outside of the 39th Police District on Thursday April 28.
Hunter Trubisky, 6, proudly displays his Student of the Month award. His father, Nicky, a single parent, sits behind his son with a proud smile.
An auction was held at Kristy's Diner on Torresdale Avenue on Wednesday April 27. The winning bid went for $121K.