Philly Alumni

Rest in peace, Joe Bryant 🙏🏽🕊️


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Joe “Jellybean” Bryant was a local basketball icon, whose legacy on the court transcended his journey across Bartram High School, La Salle University, and his first four NBA seasons with the 76ers from 1975-79.

Our condolences go out to the Bryant family ❤️💙

Great people come from Philly public schools

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Central High graduate Donovan Dixon, who got his bachelor’s degree from New York University in May, was one of 32 students to receive a Rhodes scholarship to study at the University of Oxford in England, beginning next fall.⁠
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Dixon, who interned in the office of first lady Jill Biden in 2022 and served as a special assistant in the White House over the summer, got his undergraduate degree in public policy and will seek a Master’s of Philosophy in Comparative Social Policy at Oxford.⁠
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“It still hasn’t hit me yet that this is actually happening,” Dixon said. “but I am extremely honored to have been seen as someone worthy of this incredible distinction.”⁠
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He hopes to pursue a public service career in Philadelphia, one day working on the City Council as a constituent caseworker or legislative director. He also would love to hold a public office.⁠

“I just hope my career puts me in a position to help poor and working people across Philadelphia,” said Dixon.⁠
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“As someone who experienced financial hardship while growing up, I want to ensure that we give all children and families the opportunity to thrive and I hope that I can be a lifelong advocate for people who are struggling or living in moments of crisis.”⁠
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Learn more about Dixon at the link in bio.⁠
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📝 by Susan Snyder / Staff⁠
📸 Courtesy of New York University

Congratulations to award-winning education journalist Kristen Graham, on being nominated for a Mid-Atlantic Emmy! Kristen is an alum of Northeast High School. 🎥 Check our the Emmy-nominated video on George Washington High School’s Cheerleading team competing in nationals on inquirer.com 🔥👏🏽 . .
via X: Thrilled to have been nominated for an with videographer for our work with the ’s run at nationals. We didn’t win (Jenna won for another of her stellar videos) but it was a great night!

Do we have any Parkway Alum among us? Help the students of your alma mater climb & rise in life! 🧗🏽‍♀️


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Calling all adventurers! Join us in supporting the climbing club at Parkway Center City Middle College. Help us raise $1,210 to empower young climbers with life skills and confidence.

Make a difference today and donate by tapping the link in ’ bio.

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All 1.7 million of Pennsylvania’s public school students will receive free breakfast each day this school year, as part of a state program. 🍎🥛🍴⁠
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Gov. Josh Shapiro championed the initiative, which was included in the state budget he signed earlier this month and will cost $46.5 million.⁠
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“Every expert will tell you that you can’t learn on an empty stomach — and we cannot expect kids to learn math and science and English when they haven’t eaten anything all day," Shapiro said.⁠
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The program’s rollout, however, comes as schools in the region and nationwide struggle with encouraging students to participate in free breakfast programs. In Philadelphia, for example, breakfast was already offered to all students and only about a third of them took the meal every day last school year.⁠
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Norristown Area School District Superintendent Christopher Dormer said he hopes the statewide attention on free breakfasts will help increase participation.⁠
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“Every little bit helps in terms of making sure that students know, ‘Hey, there’s free breakfast available every day.'"⁠
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In addition to breakfast, approximately 22,000 students who are eligible for reduced lunch will now receive free lunch as part of Shapiro’s initiative. Students will not need to apply to receive a free breakfast each day.⁠
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For more details about the initiative, click the link in our bio.⁠
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📝 by Gillian McGoldrick / Staff⁠
📸 by Heather Khalifa / Staff