News from Central High School -- Philadelphia

In our last issue for this school year, we'd like to offer our warmest congratulations to the class of 268 and their families. We hope you have a bright future, one filled with a love of learning. Please always remember the special leadership and citizenship responsibilities that come with your abilities and with the privilege of a Central High School education. We urge you to go forth in joy and peace, to give no person evil for evil, to strengthen the faint-hearted and support the weak. May every blessing be upon you. You will always belong to the Central community, wherever you go, whatever you do. Parents, congratulations to you as well, and thank you for your support of these wonderful young people. As for the 269, 270, 271 and 272 students and families, enjoy your time at Central -- a fabulous high school where you'll find smart, creative, energetic, and kind students and faculty. You can count on a vibrant school where learning happens inside and outside the classroom. We hope you are enjoying the Central High School newsletter -- a volunteer effort brought to you by the Home and School Association with assistance from the Associated Alumni of Central High School. With your continued support, this newsletter will help Central tap into the talents and resources of the entire Central family -- students, parents, faculty, staff, alumni and friends. Tell your friends to sign up for the newsletter. Please send your comments, suggestions and ideas to centralhighschoolnewsletter@yahoo.com.

Thank you and have a great summer,

Jane Von Bergen and Diane Luckman, co-editors

Peace, Courage, Determination

Each day, Carl Sigmond, 268, doggedly pushed his walker up the long and steep hill to Central's front door. The first thing everyone notices about Carl is his rambling gait. That's the first thing, but the second is his obvious determination -- a determination that has led to academic success at Central for this honor student. Carl has had cerebral palsy since birth and it affects his ability to control his muscles. At first, his speech seems muddled, but as people get to know him, they can understand him. In his emails, all communication barriers drop away. As a middle-school student enrolled at Greene Street Friends School in Germantown, Carl had planned to graduate from a Quaker high school. That was before he met assistant principal Reginald Speir, who is now retiring, at the public high school fair. Mr. Speir knew Carl's older cousins, all Central grads. "I remember him saying that at Central students have to hold their own and stand up for themselves, but he could tell that I did that just fine," Carl wrote in an email. "That was it! I applied and was accepted." Carl's advice on how to adjust to Central: "Central is big, and I came from a tiny Quaker school. What I tell people, though, is once you find your niche, it doesn't feel big. My niche was the Mentally Gifted office. I ate lunch there and I got to know students and teachers. Central is incredibly diverse, and students have to find their niches before they can branch out." This winter and early spring, Carl left Central to attend the Woolman Institute, a Quaker school in California focused on sustainability and peace. While he was there, his father passed away, so this period, including graduation, has been a particularly bittersweet time for Carl. Next year, he plans to attend Haverford College, major unknown. Please make your way through Carl's personal website. (How many professionals, let alone students, have individual websites? This one is excellent and describes his experiences at Woolman and his adaptability inventions. Read and admire!)