US Airways PAL Challenge 2012

18th Annual PAL Challenge

Team Harrowgate

Weeks of studying culminated on May 14th, 2012 at the 2012 US Airways PAL Challenge Finals at Temple University. Teams of sixth, seventh and eighth graders, representing all 26 PAL centers, competed in four regional competitions prior to the final. More than 160 PAL youngsters competed in this distinctive trivia game.

PAL Board Members Bob Ciminelli, Dr. Jacobi and Lt. Anthony with Team Gibbons

PAL Challenge is a hybrid trivia competition and an annual PAL tradition since 1995. In a unique fusion of “Jeopardy” and “Family Feud,” students answer questions from a variety of categories including Science, Math, Sports, Technology, History, and more. Teams spent more than one month studying facts from each category with Homework Club instructors, PAL Officers, and volunteer coaches from PwC.

Congratulations to Gibbons PAL for winning first place this year, and Cozen PAL, Cobbs Creek PAL and Lenfest PAL for also making it to the final four. All PAL Challenge participants received movie tickets for their hard work preparing. Students who competed in the final competition were rewarded with certificates of achievement, medals, plaques and T-shirts.

Bob Ciminelli facing off against Victoria from Gibbons PAL

Team Gibbons played an extra championship match against Vice President of PHL Hub Operations and PAL Board member, Bob Ciminelli, three other executives from US Airways, and PAL Commanding Officer, Lt. Anthony. Though they put up a tough fight, Gibbons PAL was victorious with 245 points. US Airways’ support of the PAL Challenge program helps continue a tradition of unique competition, positive sportsmanship, and the importance of academic achievement. Special thanks to US Airways for their continued support!

2012 PAL Award Dinner

PAL Award Dinner Honors Three Outstanding Individuals

On May 9, 2012, the Police Athletic League proudly bestowed the PAL Award on three very deserving honorees, Dennis Bianchi of WTXF FOX 29 Philadelphia, Daniel K. Fitzpatrick of Citizens Bank and Carole Haas Gravagno, Advocate for Youth and Friend of the Arts. These three individuals were selected for this honor for their unwavering support of and dedication to providing countless opportunities to underserved children and teens of this City through their individual philanthropy and encouragement of corporate and foundation support of PAL.

The 2012 PAL Award Dinner was held at the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown Hotel. At 5:00 p.m., PAL’s Silent Auction kicked off the festivities. Hundreds of supporters swarmed into the auction area to bid on high-end items, experiences, vacations, sports memorabilia and more. A live auction, which offered guests the chance to bid on Phillies Phantasy Camp, a Riviera Maya vacation and an evening for 40 people in a customized restaurant, took place later in the evening.

The program, which was hosted by 6 ABC’s Cecily Tynan, began at 7 p.m. Several PAL youngsters were highlighted during the program portion of the event, including one young lady from Logan PAL, who beautifully belted out God Bless America. Attendees also heard from Erin Dwyer, who was the Honorary Mayor during this year’s PAL Day at City Hall, and Amile Jefferson, a McDonald’s All-American Senior Basketball Player from Southwest PAL. During the program, guests heard from speakers such as Mayor Michael Nutter and Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey and listened to remarks from each of the honorees. The Police Athletic League is proud to call each award recipient a friend of PAL.

PAL thanks everyone who made this wonderful evening so special for the honorees and for those in attendance. As always, all proceeds from the event will directly support PAL’s educational, athletic, recreational and cultural programming.

Hamels Foundation at Harrowgate PAL

Hamels Foundation Brings Education and Exercise to PAL

The Hamels Foundation has made learning fun at Harrowgate PAL throughout the past month. For their first visit on March 28, 2012, they brought along a break dancing group from Temple University. Dancers taught the youngsters some cool moves and routines. They also brought cupcakes for the kids decorate, and of course, eat! All participants had a blast and left with full and happy bellies.

The Hamels Foundation made a second trip to Harrowgate PAL on April 25, 2012. They held a Bokwa class for mothers and daughters and hosted an educational bingo game. Bokwa is an up and coming dance fitness workout that is just as fun as Zumba and incorporates even more cardio and muscle training. The kids, parents and instructors worked up a sweat and had a lot of fun doing it!

Everyone at Harrowgate PAL definitely made friends with the staff at The Hamels Foundation. Thanks to the Hamels Foundation for all the work they do in Philadelphia and for their continued support of PAL!

PAL College and Alternatives Fair

PAL’s “What to Do After High School and How to Pay for it” Fair
PAL high school seniors, juniors, sophomores and their parents from all over Philadelphia came together on March 29th at Harrowgate PAL for a panel discussion about what to do after high school and how to pay for it. Representatives from the Community College of Philadelphia, PhillyGoes2College, Temple University and AmeriCorps spoke to the students about the options and possibilities available to them after they graduate.

Michael Harry, from the Office of Admissions at the Community College of Philadelphia informed students of the admission process and ways to start narrowing down the options for college and trade school now.

Jim Skene from Temple University’s Office of Student Financial Services spoke to the students and parents about the two most important acronyms when paying for higher education: FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and PHEAA (Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency). Mr. Skene inspired students to search and apply for as many scholarships as possible.

Edisa Rodriguez from PhillyGoes2College addressed the additional opportunities that colleges and universities have to offer, such as athletics and organized clubs. She also explained the importance of choosing a major, and reminded students to keep their eye on the prize- graduating and getting a diploma.

Additionally, students were invited to explore the possibility of dedicating a year to service through various AmeriCorps programs.

Informational brochures from 45 area schools, AmeriCorps programs and military branches were available to all attendees. Students also received SAT Prep Study Guide books, graphing calculators and 2012 College Board Handbooks. PAL thanks all presenters for providing priceless knowledge to the soon-to-be PAL graduates!

PAL Night at the Sixers 2012

PAL Night at the Sixers- Another Slam Dunk!
PAL celebrated the 26th anniversary of PAL Night at the Sixers on March 27th, 2012. Local radio and television personalities gathered at the Wells Fargo Center to participate in a halftime Celebrity Basketball Game with hoopsters from the PAL Girls Citywide Basketball Program and Commissioner’s Club members, as the Sixers went on to defeat the Cavaliers.

The event was sponsored by the H. Chase and Ana Maria Lenfest Foundation and NECA, Penn-Del-Jersey Chapter / IBEW Local 98. Thanks to their continued support, PAL Night has raised more than $250,000 since the event began 26 years ago.

In addition to the halftime festivities, in a pre-game ceremony, PAL honored 76ers forward Thaddeus Young for his tremendous community efforts and his outstanding support of the Police Athletic League. Other highlights included a Commissioner’s Club and Sponsors reception, an on-court check presentation with PAL event sponsors and a festive evening for all!

Best Buy and Positive Images

Best Buy WOLF Pack at Rizzo Positive Images
Representatives from Best Buy’s Women’s Leadership Forum (WOLF) came to Rizzo PAL’s Positive Images Girls Mentoring meeting on Monday, March 19th. Melody Hollander, Linda Thomas, Lisa Tyson and Diana Santos shared their personal experiences about how they achieved prominent positions in a male-dominated company and industry.

The women inspired the young ladies to taking part in conversations and have their voice heard by “always sitting at the table.” Melody, Linda, Lisa and Diana followed this advice and continue to benefit greatly. They led a networking exercise with Positive Images participants in which each person wrote a list of both short and long-term goals and brainstormed people in their lives who can help achieve them.

PAL Board Member and Best Buy District Manager, Marc Michetti, provided advice to the young ladies on the importance of mentors. The girls’ networks grew by at least five valuable contacts last night, as each WOLF representative and Mr. Michetti left an open invitation for all PAL participants to get in touch with them any time.

A special thanks to Melody, Linda, Lisa, Diana, and Marc Michetti for providing such indispensable information to Rizzo PAL Positive Images!

PAL 24 Math Challenge 2012

24 Math Challenge + PAL x Stradley Ronon = Huge Success

P/O Little with players from Point Breeze PAL

More than 200 youth from all twenty-six PAL centers added, subtracted, divided and multiplied their way to twenty-four in PAL’s annual Stradley Ronon 24 Math Challenge last week. Two regional competitions were held to determine the top twelve players in each grade division- fifth through eighth. The final competition was held at Harrowgate PAL on Wednesday night.

First, second, third and fourth place winners received a plaque and a special gift. All participants in the final competition earned a medal for their stellar performance throughout the Challenge. Congratulations to first place winners Treasure from Steel PAL (5th grade), Forrest from Steel PAL (6th grade), Christina from Steel PAL (7th grade) and Andrew from Point Breeze PAL (8th grade).

Mark Dorval with Jonisha from Bluford PAL

Participants have been practicing the game at their PAL centers for months leading up to this vigorous, head-to-head battle. 24 Math is used as a tool to make learning fun in PAL centers and classrooms around Philadelphia. In the end, playing the game helps youngsters become better at mental math and more confident in their abilities as a student: a great success for all.

PAL thanks Board Member Mark Dorval and Stradley Ronon, and volunteers from Drexel University’s Earle Mack School of Law.

Dunkin’ Donuts Rockin’ Reading Celebration at Temple University

Dunkin’ Donuts and Temple Basketball Win Big for PAL

PAL youngster with Temple Cheerleader

The month-long Dunkin’ Donuts Rockin’ Reading Program came to a close with an exciting event at Temple University’s Liacouras Center Wednesday night. Ninety-five PAL youngsters from nine centers participated in the program and read more than 435 books total. One bright youngster from Point Breeze PAL, Ramyi, read thirty-two books since the beginning of the program in January.

Lou from Dunkin' Donuts gives PAL girls special gift with Dr. Jacobi

The celebration at the Liacouras Center began with a reception including special guests from Temple University’s football players, cheerleaders and dance team. PAL cheerleaders taught their routines to the Temple ladies, while the other athletes stressed the importance of studying and keeping good grades in school. Speakers, including PAL Commanding Officer Lt. Anthony, PAL Education Chair, Dr. Jacobi, Dunkin’ Donuts Philadelphia Area Marketing Executives and Olympic Gold Medalist and current Temple University Women’s Rowing Head Coach, Jason Read,recognized the participants for their diligent reading and provided inspiring messages about the importance of reading and education. Each participant even received a certificate of completion and a special gift from Dunkin’ Donuts.

North Penn PAL kid in the Dunkin' Cup Relay

The fun-filled night did not end there for these youngsters. PAL youth and their officers attended the Temple University basketball game against University of Massachusetts. All fans were on the edge of their seats as the Temple Owls emerged victorious in overtime. Lt. Anthony and several children were recognized on-court in front of hundreds of fans during the game. A lucky boy and girl from the North Penn PAL basketball team dressed up in Dunkin’ Donuts coffee cups and competed in a basketball relay race. Fans cheered on both kids in an exciting race to the finish.

PAL thanks Dunkin’ Donuts and Temple University for another great Rockin’ Reading program celebration!

PAL Day at City Hall 2012

PAL Youth Take Over Philadelphia City Hall for the Day

In collaboration with the city administration, 26 PAL adolescents spent the day shadowing city officials, giving them the opportunity to learn more about city government. All PAL participants were nominated by their respective PAL officer for excellence and dedication to PAL programs. This rewarding tradition has taken place for more than 40 years.

They day started off with a swearing-in ceremony with inspiring congratulations from District Attorney R. Seth Williams – a former PAL youngster, Mayor Nutter, President of Lockheed Martin Gerard Fasano, PAL Commanding Officer Lt. Bryan Anthony, PAL Chairwoman Sylvia Nisenbaum and Honorary Mayor Erin Dwyer from Tacony PAL. They all urged the crowd to make the most out of the day and to ask questions. City officials were equally excited to be in the presence of Philadelphia’s future leaders. After a reception in the Mayor’s Conversation Room, the honorary City officials and their hosts were off to work for the remainder of the day.

Honorary Mayor Erin Dwyer and Tacony PAL Officer Schneider with Mayor Nutter

Honorary Mayor Dwyer is a 17-year-old senior at Nazareth Academy High School. Erin has been an active member of Tacony PAL for thirteen years, participating in baseball, basketball, flag football, Homework Club, the Tacony PAL Summer Camp, PAL Challenge and 24 Math Competitions. Erin believes that state and local governments play a critical role in the stability of the United States of America. She references crime as the most significant issue facing the city of Philadelphia and is optimistic that 2012 can bring about positive change. “Our City is too important to America’s history, the economy and to the nation as a whole,” she says. “The necessary changes will be difficult, but I believe that in the year 2012, crime can and will be reduced in Philadelphia.” Many of the other PAL participants also believed this to be true. Youth violence in Philadelphia was no doubt, a topic of many conversations throughout the day.

This year’s PAL Day at City Hall is certainly a day participants never forget. PAL thanks Lockheed Martin Corporation, PAL Day at City Hall founder, Sally Berlin, participating City officials and Charming Shoppes, Inc. and Tates Menswear for providing professional attire for all PAL participants.

PAL Basketball Finals

PAL’s Citywide Basketball Finals are a Slam Dunk!

For years, PAL’s Citywide Basketball program has been its most popular activity, hosting more than 5,000 children annually. Many budding stars first showcased their talents in PAL’s highly-regarded basketball program, and many youngsters have gone on to have successful collegiate and professional careers in the sport.

This year’s Championship Games were held on President’s Day at the University of Pennsylvania’s historic Palestra. The special day hosted the best of the best of PAL, and highlighted some of PAL’s most talented youth. There were four exciting, action-packed games: a 10-and-under matchup in which Locke PAL defeated Paley PAL, a 12-and-under bout that saw Paley PAL come out victorious over Cozen PAL, a 14-and-under game in which Paley PAL took its second title and defeated 23rd PAL and a 16-and-under matchup in which Logan PAL defeated Locke PAL. Throughout the day, competitors were cheered on by various routines and chants from PAL’s Cheerleading Team.

All youngsters who competed in the championship games, playoffs and regular season enjoyed a terrific program through which they learned about the sport and teamwork skills, made friends and chose an alternative to the streets by staying involved in active and wholesome, organized programming. PAL is proud of all of the boys and girls who participated in this fun-filled activity in 2012. Congratulations go out to all of this year’s winning teams. PAL looks forward to an even better season next year!

Check out this great news coverage of PAL’s Citywide Basketball Finals!