Economic mobility catalyst honors students working to achieve their goals of college and career through pathways to success
June 10, 2024 (Philadelphia) – Heights Philadelphia (“Heights”) celebrated more than 500 students taking the next steps towards college and career success with its 2nd annual Heights Graduation Celebration on Friday, June 7, 2024 at Citizens Bank Park. Dedicated to its mission to helping all Philadelphia students including Black, Latino and first-generation-to-college students reach economic mobility, Heights invited its 5th grade, 8th grade, 12th grade and college students who are taking the next step to school and workforce success. Showcasing its love and commitment to Philadelphia students, the celebration shined a light on students’ hard work and achievements. Students opened the celebration by processing through the stadium with Phoebe the Phanatic and the FLC Band in the lead. 6abc’s Rick Williams hosted the program which included remarks from Heights students, and a closing note from social influencer Wallace Peeples better known as Wallo267.
“Every student in Philadelphia is worthy and deserves the opportunity to reach new heights through education and career success,” said Sean E. Vereen, Ed.D., co-president, Heights Philadelphia. “It was very powerful being able to celebrate them at the stadium in a way they should be – like they are the center of the world. These graduating students are the future leaders of our city, and we look forward to following along on their journey to build a better, more equitable city and future for us all.”
“Our message is clear – we believe in the students of Philadelphia,” said Sara L. Woods, Esq., co-president, Heights. “We are proud to celebrate the accomplishments of our students in such a big way. Heights is committed to investing in young people and supporting them on their pathway to reach college and career success. We invite the larger Philadelphia community to join us by believing in students and supporting their success.”
A new kind of organization — an economic mobility catalyst — Heights is committed to breaking the cycle of generational poverty that has long challenged Philadelphia. By connecting students — particularly Black, Latino, and first-generation scholars — with a supportive network that recognizes and nurtures their potential, Heights helps pave the way for their success. Starting in middle school, students gain access to resources that support their academic, career, and college aspirations, fostering economic mobility. In the 2023 – 2024 academic year, Heights staff was embedded into 23 schools including 19 high schools and 4 middle schools across the School District of Philadelphia, formalized 13 partnerships with colleges and universities in Philadelphia and beyond, and offered 50+ internship sites across the Greater Philadelphia area to students in Heights programming.
At this year’s Graduation Celebration, 571 students were recognized. The organization currently works with more than 3,000 students in Philadelphia offering personalized advising, academic enrichment, career guidance, internships, and financial assistance, ensuring students have the tools and opportunities they need to succeed at every stage of their journey.
- 74 Collegiate Students | Honorary student speaker at the 2024 Heights Graduation included Kelvin Nuñez, Class of 2024, Hamilton College
- Students from schools included: Albright College, Arcadia University, Boston University, Bryn Mawr College, Carnegie Mellon University, Community College of Philadelphia, Drexel University, Duke University, Franklin & Marshall College, Hamilton College, Haverford College, Howard University, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins University, Lafayette College, Lehigh University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Penn State University, Reed College, Rutgers University – New Brunswick, St. Joseph’s University, Stanford University, Swarthmore College, Temple University, Thomas Jefferson University, University of Pennsylvania, Villanova University, and West Chester University
- 408 High School Students | Honorary student speaker at the 2024 Heights Graduation included Kadiatu Barrie, George Washington High School, Class of 2024, Mohamad Hubbi, Northeast High School, Class of 2024, and Malea Williams, George Washington Carver High School of Engineering & Science, Class of 2024
- Students from schools included: Abington Friends School, Abraham Lincoln High School, Academy at Palumbo, Academy Park, Archbishop Ryan High School, Belmont Charter High School, Central High School, Christian Calvary Academy, Conestoga High School, Constitution High School, Esperanza Academy Charter School, Franklin Learning Center, Franklin Towne Charter High School, Freire Charter School, Friends Select School, George Washington Carver High School of Engineering & Science, Girard Academic Music Program, High School of the Future, Julia R. Masterman School, Kensington Health Sciences Academy, Kensington High School, Kensington High School for Creative and Performing Arts, Lankenau High School, Mastery Charter School at Gratz, Murrell Dobbins Career and Technical High School, Northeast High School, Parkway Center City Middle College High School, Philadelphia High School for Girls, Philadelphia Military Academy, Roxborough High School, South Philadelphia High School, Strawberry Mansion High School, Swenson Arts and Technology High School, TECH Freire Charter School, Walter B. Saul High School, West Philadelphia Catholic High School, West Philadelphia High School, William W. Bodine High School
- 72 Middle School Students | Honorary student speakers at the 2024 Heights Graduation included Neo Bumpers, Morton McMichael School, Class of 2024, Bezawit Kebede, Holy Cross Class of 2024
- Students from schools included: Ad Prima Charter School, Cedarbrook Middle School, Friends Central School, Friends Select School, Gesu School, Holy Cross School, Julia R. Masterman School, Mary M. Bethune School, Mastery Charter School at Pastorius, Middle Years Alternative School, Morton McMichael School, Paul L. Dunbar School, Sacred Heart Academy Bryn Mawr, Southwest Leadership Academy Charter School, Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, St. Francis De Sales School, St. Thomas Aquinas School, Tanner G. Duckrey School, The Agnes Irwin School, The Baldwin School, The Science Leadership Academy at Beeber
- 14 Elementary School Students
- Students from schools included: Ad Prima Charter School, Community Partnership School, Our Mother of Consolation School, Russell Elementary School, Saint Andrew School, Saint Francis de Sales, Southwest Leadership Academy Charter School, St. Francis De Sales School, The City School – Spruce Hill
To download photos from the 2024 Heights Graduation, please click here.
For more information about Heights Philadelphia and its programs, please visit Heights.org
