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!

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!

Harrowgate PAL Center Grand Opening

A Night of Celebration!

Night-of attendees included PAL youngsters, Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez, Commissioner Susan Slawson, PAL Board Members, BOMA representatives and more!

The Police Athletic League of Philadelphia and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation hosted a special Grand Opening Ceremony for the Harrowgate PAL Center at the newly renovated Rambler Recreation Center last Wednesday. The Building Owners’ and Managers’ Association of Philadelphia (BOMA), which put in tens of thousands in monetary and material donations and extensive voluntary hours, helped transform the underutilized center into a beacon of hope for the community.

PAL youngsters with PAL Honorary Board Member, radio and tv personality, Don Tollefson, who presided over the evening's program

With volunteer support and in-kind contributions received from BOMA members, the Harrowgate PAL Center at Rambler Recreation Center enjoyed a complete renovation, including: extensive cleaning, fresh coats of paint, buffing and waxing of floors, installation of energy efficient light fixtures, complete construction of an office, installation of windows, new doors, a new

Harrowgate PAL Center Directors P/O Rivera and P/O Balco with PAL youngsters

air conditioning unit, ceiling fans, new kitchen appliances and more. BOMA members also donated cubicles and desks for the new computer lab.

Congratulatory remarks were made by PAL Commanding Officer Lt. Bryan Anthony, PAL Board of Directors Chair, Sylvia Nisenbaum, Councilwoman Maria Quiñones-Sanchez, Commissioner Susan Slawson of Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, Deputy Commissioner Charlotte Council of the Philadelphia Police Departmentand Don Haas of BOMA. Attendees also enjoyed a special performance of the National Anthem by a fellow PAL youngster from the Logan PAL Center.

PAL youngsters enjoying the evening's festivities

More than 200 youngsters, community members, City officials and PAL supporters were in attendance at this momentous occasion. Following the program, all attendees remained in the center for snacks and pizza, games, computer exploration and center tours. It was the perfect way to celebrate the opening of such an exciting new center, and PAL is thrilled to see the Harrowgate Center thriving after just a few weeks of its opening!