Roxborough Class of 2011 Graduates

On a bright, sunny, and near cloudless Wednesday morning at Roxborough's AV Giampetro Sports Facility, the class of 2011 received their diplomas. The raucous crowd of moms and dads, aunts and uncles, cousins and siblings who packed the stands wished the graduates a future just as bright.

"We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable," began class salutatorian Camille Michel, quoting Charles Swindoll to a class that was touched by tragedy in the last year. "The only thing we can do is play the one string we have. And that is our attitudes."

Michel then introduced Roxborough valedictorian Pearlenia Tillman, who had held the top spot in the class since her freshman year.

"Statistics show that 55 percent of us aren't supposed to be here today," said the Howard-bound Tillman, reminding the class of the difficult socioeconomic backdrop against which they got their degrees. "So congratulations to the Roxborough Class of 2011!"

"Do it big, cause that's the only way to do it. You only live once, and if you live right, once is enough," she closed.

After the commencement awards were delivered (see below for a complete listing), Principal Stephen Brandt addressed the class for a final time.

Brandt said, while preparing his speech, he puzzled over what final thought to leave them with. What was the most important thing they should take away from Roxborough?

"Confidence," Brand concluded. "The one thing I want you to take with you today is that you must believe in yourself and your own abilities."

"It is your time to shine and make a difference. Let that journey start today."

At that, he handed out the diplomas. The stadium shook.

Awards:

Best in Class Academic Principal's Award

Pealenia Tillman, Camille Michel

Foreign Language Department Award

Jamel Ferguson

Frank Giampetro Memorial Award

Natosha Gaines

Anthony V. Giampetro Award

Joshua Myers

Information Technology Academies Magnet Award

Ashley Downs, Sabrina Bouknight-Williams, Leona Copeland, Natosha Gaines

Honor Society Award

Julio Scott

Honor Society Non-Member Award

Joshua Myers

Most Improved Student Award

Christina Paige

Phi Beta Kappa Award

Camile Michel

Liberal Arts Academy Award

Matthew Rayner

JROTC

Dominique McLendon, Christopher Paul-Fils

Philadelphia Federation of Teachers Frank Sullivan Award

Brandon Conway

Celia Pincus School Award

Sabrina Bouknight-Williams

English Awards

Pealenia Tilman, Mathew Raynor

School Service Award

Tiffani Davis

Computer Literacy Award

Markievus Fudge, Josh Myers

Youth Award

Christopher Paul

RHS Work Prep Award

David Hill

Outstanding Athete

Bernard Avery

Mathematics Award

Camille Michel

Excellence in Mathematics Award

Julio Scutt

School For Success Sportsmanship Award

Charles Ivey

AP Social Studies Award

Mathew Rayner

Senior Art Award

Hakim Wright, Jenna Jackson

Senior Class Yearbook Award

Nittia Meredith, Ronyai Singleton

Blue and White Award

Chansiney Chuk

Senior Class Service Award

Leona Copeland

General Physical Sciences Award

Dareohn Gunter

Biology Award

Julio Scutt

Chemistry Award

Pearlenia Tillman

Excellence in AP Biology Award

Matthew Rayner

Environmental Science Award

Lyssa Wacker

Student Council Award

Shelby Cobb, Brandon Conway

Superior Service Award

Brandon Conway

Class of '69 Award

Shelby Cobb

Todd Urban Fund

Christopher Paul-Fills

Zita Mehlman and Lucille Connor Memorial Award

Rashaad Rocher

Palestine-Roxborough Mason Lodge #135 Award

Diana Scott

Communications Academy Award for Excellence

Josh Myers, Ashley Downs, Leona Copeland, Sabrina Bouknight-Williams

John Wilkinson Memorial Award

Juan Castelan-Bernal

Sons of the American Revolution

Perlenia Tillman