The Inquirer
Picking a college a tough call. F2.
A case of reverse brain drain. F6.
Chester feeling Union’s kick. F12. B
Saturday, April 2, 2011 ★ Section F
PORTRAIT OF A SAGGING ECONOMY
Property taxes take a bite out of schools Voters have not approved four of five budgets for Kingsway. By Julia Casciato
KINGSWAY REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Courtesy of Marie Oestreich
Marie Oestreich (fifth from left), now 95, was among the graduating class of St. Mary’s Academy in 1934, during the Great Depression.
A lifetime of lessons learned in the Great Depression.
Family just pulls together By Christa Oestreich
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ARCHBISHOP PRENDERGAST HIGH SCHOOL
ather is working long hours at the factory while mother has been trying to find a job of her own. But there are none. People line the streets for a bowl of soup; no one can afford anything more than that. At home, the children do not have shoes or adequate clothing. There is not enough money for coal, for beds, or to pay rent. This is how the world remembers the Great Depression 80 years ago. Today’s recession looks like a stray cat compared with the Depression’s roaring lion of the late 1920s and ’30s. But there is a piece of information that would be shocking to most — that many people in the United States were not affected significantly by the Depression. Marie Oestreich, 95, was one of seven children born to a doctor, and lived in a wealthy neighborhood in North Philadelphia. “My mother sat me down to let me know what’s what,” she recalls. “She told me that things have changed and Father does not earn as much now. She said that she was going to help out and what she earned would help out Father.”
Marie Oestreich with her dog Butch. She was one of seven children born to a doctor.
Her mother started baking every Saturday morning, selling most of what she made in order to contribute to the family’s income. Oestreich’s father, despite being a doctor, wasn’t earning as much as usual during this time. The unemployment rate reached almost 25 percent, more than double the See DEPRESSION on F13
CHRISTA OESTREICH / First Take Staff
Marie Oestreich, in her Northeast Philadelphia home, remembers the time well: “My mother sat me down to let me know what’s what.”
Forecast calls for a better economy An economist predicts that the worst is over. By Aaya Kingsbury CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL
Don’t look now, but the economy has been improving, slowly but surely. Of course, that depends on whom you talk to. Economists may tell you we’ve turned the corner and that we face better days. An unemployed head of a household may still see very gloomy skies overhead. Somewhere in the middle is Sara Kline. An associate economist for
When money gets tight, it is easier to rent a movie than to go out to the theater, or to make coffee at home than to spend $3 at Starbucks. It’s also easier to refuse to increase property taxes to fund education. At least that’s how it seems to residents in Kingsway Regional School District in Woolwich Township, Gloucester County. The district has over 2,200 students in grades 7 through 12, from East Greenwich, South Harrison, Swedesboro-Woolwich Township, and Logan Township. Residents in these areas have to approve the district’s budget each year. Students in grades K-6 are on their own separate budgets. Under the district arrangement, Logan Township pays tuition to Kingsway for each student it sends to attend school there. Logan residents do not get a vote regarding the budget, as it does not affect their taxes. In Woolwich, education has consistently been cut as property taxes JULIA CASCIATO have more than James J. Lavender, doubled since 2001. superintendent of The last two years Kingsway: Schools have hit the dis- are “an asset.” trict hardest. It has had to shut down all after-school programs for the middle school, cut teachers — and once again, not purchase new textbooks. Kingsway voters have not approved four of the last five budgets, but at the same time, Woolwich has seen dramatic changes in the last ten years. Once all farmland, it is now the fastest growing town in the state with a 15 percent population increase, according to the 2010 Census. Superintendent James J. Lavender believes that part of this growth is because “quality schools are our community’s most important asset.” A major concern of Lavender’s is the increased number of students enrolled in the district. In the next five years, the district will exceed 3,000 students for grades 7 through 12. Students currently are packed 30 to a classroom. Some high See DISTRICT on F4
Founder’s vision remains relevant in a digital age By Kristin E. Holmes INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
DAVID SWANSON / Staff Photographer
Economist Sara Kline of Moody’s Analytics in West Chester speaks to
the Acel Moore workshop about jobs, the recovery and the economy. Moody’s Analytics in West Chester, Kline told participants of the Acel Moore Career Development Workshop that they should stay positive about their futures and that, in due time, the economy will turn around. “The nation has been dealt a huge economic blow, but there are signs of hope for the younger generation entering the workforce,” Kline told the 35 students during an hour-long discussion about the economy on Feb. 5. “Granted [the economy] will
take more time, but it is steadily improving,” Kline said. She predicted that within the next five years the unemployment rate will no longer be above 9 percent but will drop to its more natural level of 5 percent. Kline tailored her remarks to her young audience, stressing the need for young adults to focus on college in the next few years as the economy recovers. With such an unclear economic future, a majority of students See ECONOMIST on F9
When Acel Moore founded The Inquirer’s high school journalism workshop in 1985, the Inquirer editor wanted students to feel the thrill of writing a newspaper story and holding the publication in their hands. The teenagers learned from industry professionals and produced their own workshop newspaper, First Take. Twenty-seven years later, that workshop continues, but with changes that reflect the impact of the digital revolution. “It’s a challenging time,” said Moore, 70, who is now retired but still holds the title of associate editor emeritus at The Inquirer. “But there will always be a need for a true journalist who seeks the truth and is objective, no matter what the technology does or how it changes the gathering or reporting of information.” The program, now renamed the Acel Moore Career Development Workshop, See MOORE on F16
SHARON GEKOSKI-KIMMEL / Staff
Acel Moore, who founded the
journalism workshop 27 years ago, said: “There will always be a need for a true journalist.”
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Saturday, April 2, 2011
THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
First Take Education
Out of work? Going to college now may make sense The jobs situation is still sluggish, and modestly priced community colleges can help a resumé. By Anne Brewer
OUR LADY OF MERCY ACADEMY
The competition within the job market is fierce. With nearly 13.9 million Americans currently unemployed, people are on the hunt, nails sharp and resumés even sharper. And though the unemployment rate fell to 8.9 percent last month, the lowest it has been in the last two years, the road to rejoining the workforce is still steeply uphill. As the employment standstill gradually inches forward, returning to college is one option for circling back
not even getting me a phone call from resumé submissions, let alone an interview,” Pulli continued. into the flow of the job marNot only that, but, accordket. ing to Pulli, being just a stateMary Beth Pulli, 41, of West licensed real estate appraiser Deptford, is contemplating is no longer sufficient. “The that route. rules and regulations have “I was laid off from a posi- changed. Now, most banks tion within the real estate ap- are only accepting appraisals praisal field in January of from certified residential ap2010,” she said. “In that time, praisers,” Pulli said. I have been searching for In other words, she has to jobs similar to any position I upgrade her license, and that have held in the past: custom- requires an associate’s deer service, sales, administra- gree, or a minimum of 21 coltive assistant.” lege credits. Seems simple enough. She’s not alone, though. Not quite. Degrees of Opportunity, a “In today’s market, I’m find- study sponsored by Capella ing that 20 years of experi- University — a for-profit instience with no college degree is tution that runs a popular on-
line college program — found that in 2006, more than half of the surveyed Americans (ages 25 to 60) would like to further their education. That brings the total to 70 million people. Community colleges are also seeing an increase in admissions. The U.S. Department of Education data show that from 2000 to 2006, enrollment jumped 10 percent. Money considerations, however, could pose some problems for the adults who are looking to return to college but already have lives of their own. They’ve got bills to pay, families to feed, futures to think about. This opens up the grounds for serious consideration, as the flow of in-
come slows due to unemployment. When asked about any financial concerns she might have about returning to school, Pulli offered a nod. “Of course. My son is going to be in college in three years.” But, with faith in the state’s federal grant opportunities, she says, the risk might be worth it. Last May, President Obama, who encouraged unemployed Americans to take advantage of proffered educational opportunities, stressed the availability of federal student aid. In particular, he highlighted the federal Pell Grant program, which awarded up to $5,350 toward the educational costs of each
qualified student in the 2009-10 school year. Some community colleges are also looking to make the transition less risky. The Community College of Philadelphia, for example, runs the Opportunity Now program, in which Philadelphia residents who have been laid off from full-time employment are offered free tuition. Despite the numbers, Pulli believes the change will have a positive effect on her family. With total support from her husband and son, she’s preparing herself for major challenges ahead: keeping good academic marks and relearning how to study. “I have been out of a school environment for a long time,” she said.
High school students weigh pros, cons.
Private vs. state: Money matters in this decision By Ana Guenther
their wallets from high tuition rates. A state university is supported with During her college application pro- government funding, meaning tucess, Amanda Bowden made the ition is set at a more appealing price conscious decision to send her appli- to students and their families. cation letters to state universities in While private colleges are known Pennsylvania. For Bowden, the for quality education, forking out choice was as much about academ- big bucks for the high cost of tuition ics as economics. has become an economic challenge. Bowden isn’t alone in this count. Top tier Ivy League colleges dole Over the last few years, the econo- out millions in financial aid to stumy has affected more then just the dents, but lesser known privates job, housing, and auto markets. can’t afford that kind of generosity. Looking for a quality education with“Private colleges like Harvard, out flirting with financial ruins, high Yale pay for students to go to those school seniors are favoring state uni- colleges,” said Thomas Speakman, versities, rather then higher-priced the dean of enrollment at Shippensprivate colleges in Pennsylvania. burg University. “I like state schools for their low“They are not really impacted by er tuition. I think it just adds to the economy because they are so students feeling comfortable,” said well off, financially. Then there are Bowden, 17, a senior at Sun Valley lesser-known private schools, which High School. are seeing declines in application Top on her list was Shippensburg letters because of their high tuition University, one of 14 colleges in the rates. These are the schools that are state university system. Shippens- being affected the most.” burg University costs $15,009 a year Regardless of the current econofor tuition, room and board, fees, my, some students are continuing to and books, according to the school’s go after private colleges, despite website. their high price tags. According to Private colleges such as Widener Noel Levitz Report on UndergraduUniversity, in Chester County, cost ate Enrollment trends, 82 percent of more, much more — $50,221 a year completed applications were sent to for tuition, room and board, and ad- state universities from undergraduditional fees for books. ate students. Eighty-six percent of With high tuition costs at private completed applications were sent to colleges, and fixed pricing at state private colleges. Although more stuschools, it may seem like a no-brain- dents applied to private colleges, 93 er for students and their families percent of students committed to enwhen choosing a college. Across the roll to state schools, and 88 percent state, colleges are stuck in a cause- committed to private colleges, showand-effect situation based on the un- ing that state universities were chostable economy. sen over private colleges. Students who plan on attending Guidance counselors at Sun Valcollege are wary about choosing ley say the graduating class of 2011 their dream school, as they protect has had a total of 1,025 transcripts SUN VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL
ANA GUENTHER / First Take Staff
This collection of apparel represents the range of choices available to students as they focus on the college of their choice in Pennsylvania. Some favor state schools for lower tuition; others like private schools for the intimacy. sent out to various colleges throughout Pennsylvania, and the rest of the country. Of that total, 502 were sent to state universities, and 523 to private colleges, showing about half of the sent transcripts were sent to public and private colleges. “I choose Widener University because I know I will get a quality education. I want to major in physical therapy, and I feel Widener had the best program for me. I also want to play softball, so during my college search, I stuck to private colleges because I knew their sports programs were great,” said Sun Valley senior Alyssa Gutowiecz. Students are attracted to private colleges for more then one reason. They are known for smaller campuses, which offer more one-on-one time with professors and a closeknit feeling.
“I choose private schools because they were a lot smaller then state schools and also a lot more competitive. I like smaller campuses and having more opportunities to get close to my professors,” said Samantha Cranford, a senior at Sun Valley. Another reason students at Sun Valley are choosing private colleges, is their reputation for potential financial aid. From their online website, Widener awarded $33 million last year to prospective students in the form of scholarships or grants. A benefit of private colleges is their ability to create larger amounts of financial aid. They run on their own terms, not the state’s, which allows them to stretch the budget from donations, and students who are paying their tuition. However, that doesn’t mean a full ride for every student.
For some, their college expenses are taken care of with financial aid, for others, the amount that is offered is only a ripple in the pond. Public universities and private colleges both offer the opportunity for students to succeed, something that Sun Valley senior Kevin Schechterly agrees with. “I think the two balances each other out. Private schools are great, but expensive; they’re also small, so that means smaller classes and more one-on-one time with teachers. At the same time, state schools are cheaper and bigger, which gives students a chance to meet a lot of new people. Regardless of where you go, if you set yourself to make the best of it and learn, you’ll receive the education and tools that you’ll need in life to succeed.”
Hard times have swelled the ranks of many public schools By Brianna Tong
steadily over the last decade. In contrast, the National AssoFor some families, it means ciation of Independent cutting back on restaurant Schools has seen an enrolldinners or giving up vaca- ment decrease of 42,598 stutions to Disney World. For dents over the last three others, it means saving less years among its approximatemoney for the future in order ly 1,400 member schools, and to afford tuition now. And for average private-school tuition yet others, it means removing rose by almost $2,000 bea student from his or her tween 2003-04 and 2007-08. school, teachers, friends, and Delaware’s educational staopportunities because private tistics reflect the national picschool is just too expensive. ture. Whether its efAccording to Alfects are inconveison Kepner, pubPublic schools lic information nient at large, the ofhave seen an ficer at the Delaeconomy has influenced the deciware Department increase in sions of schoolof Education, toenrollment, age children, tal district enrolltheir parents, private schools ment, including and the institucharter schools, a decrease as i n 2 0 1 0 - 1 1 i s tions they attend. Even as the — an incash-strapped 127,944 economy begins crease of 1,673 to recover from families adjust. students over the the recession, the 2009-10 total. repercussions are still being Although the increase has felt. many causes, “the economy’s Public schools must cope obviously a big part of it,” with tighter budgets and di- said David Blowman, chief fiminishing resources. And in- nancial officer of New Castle dependent schools are seeing County’s Brandywine School lower enrollment and a loss District. of funding as many parents Enrollment in the state’s reconsider the increasing nonpublic schools for 2009-10 cost. As students leave pri- showed a 4.6 percent devate schools for tuition-free crease from the previous institutions, their transfers year. Catholic schools in parstrain the finances of both ticular have lost enrollment, types of schools. causing some schools to conNationally, public-school en- solidate or shut down. rollment has been increasing For public-school officials, CHARTER SCHOOL OF WILMINGTON
financial losses add extra pressure to decision-making. Even in comfortable economic conditions, “you’re still spending taxpayers’ money. It’s your community, and you want the schools to be good,” said Mark Huxsoll, vice president of Brandywine’s school board. “But when financial times are tight, there’s no room for error.” Many decision-makers are trying to limit cuts to areas that will not directly affect teaching. Delaware’s Education Department “has worked hard to keep resources in classrooms by finding other ways to cut,” Kepner said. The department has left positions unfilled when employees have retired and has consolidated employee responsibilities. Districts are doing the same. “People think [administrators] just stand around and get rid of teachers, but this year there were administrators who were not reissued contracts,” Huxsoll said. His district reduced the numbers of paraprofessionals and teachers’ aides as well. But no matter how careful the cuts, “ultimately, everything we do impacts the schools,” Blowman said. Private-school officials must also make difficult decisions.“Finances always affect enrollment,” said Louis DeAn-
Private vs. Public Schools
With these consolidations, each new school will have access to greater resources, In Delaware, the number of students attending public schools DeAngelo said. has been steadily increasing since 1990, while growth in However, each consolidaprivate-school enrollment has declined since the mid-2000s. tion means that one or more +27.2% since schools closed, removing em+30% 1990 ployment opportunities and Private schools diocese revenue. Amid all that, private+25 school tuition is rising. “ParPercentage change ents are looking at family fiin enrollment in Delaware +20 nances more,” Huxsoll said. since 1990 “Is it worth it to them to pay Public tuition for elementary or secschools +15 ondary school?” Lesia Liao, a freshman at the Charter School of Wil+11.9% +10 since mington, graduated from a 1990 Catholic middle school. Because of the economy, her par+5 ents decided to continue her education at the tuition-free charter school. 0 “My parents were really big ’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 with Catholic stuff. … But the SOURCE: Delaware Dept. of Education The Philadelphia Inquirer costs of Catholic high school gelo, associate superinten- ing the financial crunch be- are too expensive. Even with dent of schools in the Diocese cause of declining enroll- a scholarship, it wasn't worth of Wilmington. Over the last ment.” Added to that, the dio- it,” Liao said. few years, enrollment for dio- cese filed for bankruptcy in Many American families cese schools has decreased October 2009, and the echo that sentiment. Howevnearly 4 percent. $400,000 subsidy that inner- er, some parents still believe “There were 40 people in city Catholic schools once re- that the benefits of private edone kindergarten grade when ceived from the diocese is no ucation outweigh the costs. I was in kindergarten,” said longer available. Ken Sylvia of Newark, Del., Kevin Taylor, an eighth gradThis fall, All Saints Catholic who has two children in prier at Holy Angels School in School will open, rising from vate elementary and high Newark, Del. “This year, the ashes of three private ele- schools, said area private there are only 15. [Holy An- mentary schools whose enroll- schools provide an education gels] had to start offering ment had plummeted. About superior to their public counpre-K to get more people to two years ago, two private terparts. “You’re getting your come.” schools combined to form return on your investment,” Said DeAngelo: “We’re feel- Pope John Paul II School. he said.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
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THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
First Take Education
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Neshaminy taking a bite out of crime Theft at Neshaminy High School
Security efforts are up after a survey found about 27% of students have been hit by theft.
A survey at Neshaminy High School revealed that about a quarter of students have had personal belongings stolen at school within the last year.
By Tori Hyndman
NESHAMINY HIGH SCHOOL
It was like any regular school day when Morgan Beshel, a senior at Neshaminy High School in Langhorne, locked her belongings in a beige and battered gym locker and ventured outside to play football for class. Not until she reached into her Jansport book bag in eighth period, rummaging for her iPod to entertain herself during the free period, did she realize that her lock was unlocked and her iPod missing. Happenings such as this are not uncommon for the students of Neshaminy High School, a place that has been suffering from numerous counts of theft in these tough economic times. Approximately 27 percent of students have had a personal item stolen at Neshaminy in the last year, according to a Feb. 23 survey of 2,000 students. “I was upset,” Beshel said. The iPod “was the first thing I bought after getting my first paycheck from my job.” No one is exactly sure of why there are so many thefts within the large suburban school, but one explanation, other than typical teenage mischief, may be a thriving resale market, which consists of stolen items being posted for sale on popular online markets and social networking sites. In the meantime, the Neshaminy administration is stepping up and securing its efforts to combat the problem. “Neshaminy High School is not home, [it is] more like a mall or airport as far as the security of personal property is concerned,” Neshaminy principal Rob McGee said. Students, he said, need to take the initiative to treat their belongings with the utmost care and caution while on school grounds. What really highlighted the problem at Neshaminy, however, was a high-profile incident of theft that embarrassed the Neshaminy community. On Sept. 25, while the Neshaminy Redskins were walloping the Abington High School Ghosts at Neshaminy’s Harry E. Franks Stadium, thieves raided the visiting team’s locker room. The majority of the team reported
Yes 506
No 1,393
27%
73%
Number of items stolen
183 iPods / MP3 players
125
141 Clothes, shoes or jewelry items
150
Cell phones Other
Majority money and school supplies The Philadelphia Inquirer
For those who continue to and sometimes illegal, ways bring their favored items to to do so, McGee said. school despite the risks, beHe believes that an undering aware is a newly acquired ground resale market is beskill for many students. “I hind a significant amount of pay attention,” junior Josh the theft reported at the Reznik said. For Reznik, so school. “We’ve seen items on far, so good, as his attentive- Facebook and eBay,” he said. ness has kept all of his prized He suggested that by better personal items in his posses- monitoring public outlets sion. such as these, more missing Watching one’s own items iPods — 183 out of the total is not enough, though. “The 599 items stolen at the school best way to combat theft in the last year — and other would be to get the students personal items may be able to to tell some sort of authority be returned to their owners. when they know someone has “Half of the theft at Neshastolen something, because miny is preventable — the thieves are never kind that just hapquiet,” Coleman pens because “The best way said. kids don’t realize By having stu- to combat theft what can happen dents helping to would be to get to their belongbe the eyes and ings if they don’t the students” protect them,” ears of the school, Neshami- to report those Neshaminy seny hopes to be nior Lera Salmon who steal said. “The other TORI HYNDMAN / First Take Staff able to crack half of it occurs Students must be aware of their surroundings and guard their possessions; a backpack may be down on theft something, and punish the because some easily hit by a pickpocket. Students are encouraged to keep their valuables at home. a student said. kids won’t stop at thieves. missing clothes, electronics, what they would not want to catch on, too. Nearly all stuWhether there anything to get and equipment. Despite a be stolen at home. McGee dents at Neshaminy “know” is a connection between the their hands on something $750 reward offered to any said school officials would one of the 506 students from amount of theft at Neshaminy they want. Money is tight, who had information on the continue to stress this to cur- the survey who have been vic- and the region's tough econo- and if someone can pick up theft, there were no suspects rent students and in orienta- tims of the crimes, and the my is hard to determine an iPod that is lying around or arrests made in the case. tion for incoming freshman notion that this can happen to based on statistics from the and flip it for a profit, they anyone is finally making kids Pennsylvania Uniform Crime will,” she added. If Neshaminy’s sticky-fin- and new students. Reporting System. Thefts ingers problem had been a seAnd it is already working. think differently. Neshaminy administrators cret before, it didn’t stay that By stressing the importance “I don't bring my iPod to creased at the start of the re- continually reinforce the idea way. of bringing personal locks to school, and I keep my phone cession, but have since de- that nobody is really safe In many ways, it was this the gym locker rooms as well in my pocket at all times, es- clined, according to the annu- from thievery. “Even when episode that led many in the as bolstering the door on the pecially during gym,” senior ally reported data. you fix a big piece of someTheft, regardless, remains thing,” McGee said in regards community to raise concerns locker rooms, there have not class historian Dan Coleman and seek to address the prob- been as many locker room said. By simply keeping items a concern at Neshaminy High to the problem at Neshaminy, lem of theft in suburban thefts reported this year as in that are deemed “too valu- School, students and adminis- “there will still always be schools. the past. Theft “has been sig- able to be lost” at home, stu- trators say. theft.” For now, however, NeCurrently, McGee and his nificantly down in Gym 3,” dents are eliminating the Students looking to buy the shaminy is doing its best to staff are encouraging stu- McGee said about Neshami- chances of one of these un- latest gadgets and keep up keep the number of incidents, dents to either lock up their ny’s busiest gymnasium. lucky crimes happening to with the rest of the technologi- and students victimized, as valuables, or to simply keep Students are beginning to them. cal world are finding other, low as possible.
Traditional schools and charters share the pain
The economic downturn has forced charter and public schools to take a closer look at their operating budgets. By Magdalena Stuehrmann OCTORARA AREA HIGH SCHOOL
As the economy began to take a sharper turn for the worse, schools all over had to take a more critical look at their budgets, and, in most cases, tighten their belts. Smaller, more flexible charter schools have often had an easier time coping with budget cuts than the larger public districts that help fund them. In Chester County, the Avon Grove Charter School has found that several measures, including a smaller administrative staff, have buffered it from budget cuts that have crippled the programs of others. However, charter schools often end up at the mercy of their local districts. As Kevin Brady, the head of the Avon Grove Charter school, stated, “If a district is feeling financial pain, they can pass it on very easily to us [the charter schools].” Avon Grove Charter felt that pain directly in the midst of the economic crisis. The Oxford Area School District refused to pay the charter school for six months, until the state approved its budget. Charter schools get funding from each student’s district. A public school receives per-student funding as well, but Avon Grove Charter receives about 68 percent of what would be given for a student in a traditional public school. The loss of a student to a charter school can have a significant impact on a public school’s budget. When students switch to charter schools, they pull funding that the district is left to cover. A school district receives a onetime reimbursement for the loss of
a student to a charter school. However, the cost of sending students to charter schools amounted to $346,215 for the Octorara Area School District in the 2009-10 budget year. The district has considered trying to entice students back from charters to help ease a preliminary budget shortfall of about $2.2 million. The loss of students to cyber charter schools has also cost the district. The school board is considering a program to bring cyber charter students to a district-run cyber school. This could save the district about $3,500 per student. Charter and public school budget woes are not limited to their interactions with each other. The Octorara Area School District is also reexamining administrative costs, which the school board wants to cut by about 10 percent. That’s not a problem at Avon Grove Charter, where administrators have duties beyond the traditional ones. Teachers there also take a greater role in the administration, and the decisions are made in a small group process that also considers student and community input. “We try to build teams as much as possible to avoid a huge administration overhead,” Brady said. Aging buildings also can add to school spending. Recently, the Octorara district has had to make renovations to the high school and, due to a predicted enrollment increase, add an intermediate building. In the long term, these changes, including improved heating and insulation, will likely help cut the operating costs. Avon Grove Charter is also looking at renovations that would in-
MAGDALENA STUEHRMANN / First Take Staff
At Avon Grove Charter School in Chester County, officials have found measures, including a smaller administrative
staff, that have helped protect the school from budget cuts that have dismantled the programs of others. crease energy efficiency and decrease costs. Similarly, Oxford School District recently had to do some construction, putting a strain on its funds, but also affecting the budgets of charter schools. This includes Avon Grove Charter, which receives students from the district. Sometimes, budget problems jeopardize school programs. Octorara, rather than lose the after-school sports programs, now charges students a fee to participate.
Avon Grove Charter has not had to cut funding for a sports program — it doesn’t have one. Students can participate in sports in their home districts just as home-schooled students are allowed to do. This can, however, strain the home districts’ sports programs. Even in the midst of budget woes, however, there are some things that schools are not willing to cut. Avon Grove is determined to preserve the school’s small class sizes. According to Brady, “That’s harder
to do when money is tight.” The Octorara district fights hard to keep textbooks up to date. As a result of the tight budget though, it has sometimes been necessary to buy half the number of ordered books one year, and half the next, or to delay less pressing requests. Despite the district’s budget shortfall, Kathryn Michalowski, an assistant principal at Octorara High, said, “We almost never turn down a [textbook] request; we always try to make it happen.”
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Saturday, April 2, 2011
THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
First Take Education
District: A crash study in resourcefulness Wallingford-Swarthmore has had to rethink how to fund equipment in dire budgetary times. By Luke Harrington
STRATH HAVEN HIGH SCHOOL
Just about everything hurts in a bad economy, and nowhere can this be more apparent than in public schools, most of which are barely getting by on shoestring budgets. Consider these things: 8 English books that are held together with rubber bands. 8 Sports teams that are barely able to buy uniforms. 8 Reduced staff and larger classes. The Wallingford-Swarthmore School District in Delaware County typifies how many schools around the country are trying to meet the demands of educating, while at the same time mak-
ing tough choices in order to operate within their means. “It’s a matter of priority, and what advances education,” said Lorraine DeTurk, business administrator for the district. This is the focal point that the district comes back to in budget deliberations. School officials say it takes money, and lots of it, to keep schools and institutions doing what they do, which is to educate. The largest and most crucial key to advancing education is money; and to save as much money as possible, the district must be economical with what it is given. There are many hurdles along the way for schools as they scramble to meet their
budgets. Some are easily overcome, like reducing the carbon footprint of the district through conservative use of heat and electricity, maximizing use of facilities and resources, and utilizing the greatest potential available from all staff members to save funds, DeTurk says. Others pose a greater challenge. For example, DeTurk explains that with the new federal health-care law, school districts will have to allocate money away from academics to pay for expanded benefits for employees, diverting funds away from possible new opportunities for students. DeTurk goes on to say that outside revenue is still much harder to come by than before the recession. For instance, the district has not been able to draw on home
sales and new construction, because these areas have been very light throughout the recession. Wallingford is very developed, to the point where there is little room to build anything else, and that coupled with the fact that homeowners are rarely moving means the schools are not able to collect their usual 1 percent on these transactions and projects. The next big issue for the district is the cost of materials and resources for classrooms. Richard Foulk, a social studies teacher at the district’s Strath Haven High School, says of the situation: “The budgets haven’t grown, but expenses have … ,” although “it could be much, much worse.” One of the only ways to pay
Woolwich Then and Now Median household income (adjusted to 2009 dollars)
JULIA CASCIATO / First Take Staff
2000
2005-09*
$107,862
$109,588
Population 25 or older with at least a bachelor’s degree
29%
44%
Percent employed in management or professional occupations
45%
55%
6%
9%
Percent who speak a language other than English at home
*Estimates from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey
Property tax woes affect Kingsway schools’ funding
1930
“less than 20 percent voter turnout,” according to Lavender. In December, Kingsway's voters overwhelmingly defeated a bond referendum for a $30 million expansion project. Looking ahead, the district has few options. There will be another vote for the $30 million construction plan in the near future. If that does not pass, trailers could be purchased, or split sessions may take affect. To help raise private donations, the district is reviving a dormant educational foundation — Kingsway Education Foundation — to help reduce costs. A visible problem is the “significant disconnect between the school and our community,” Lavender said. A majority of new families entering the district have young children. Lavender feels that these children are so young that their “[families] have not had an opportunity to get to know Kingsway.” Lisa Camp, a foreign language teacher at Kingsway for nine years, also feels that residents are too uninformed.
10,000
8,000
6,000
4,000 2000
3,032 2,000
1,196
Population 0 1930
1940
1950
1960
r ive
RY AR . B GE MM RID CO B
DISTRICT from F1 school students find themselves in a study hall more than once a day due to lack of space in actual classes. Senior Cassidy Moellers said she has seen the impact. “Underclassmen were particularly affected by this because they lost the options of classes to take that I had when I was their age,” she said. “To achieve educating well-rounded students, options have to be available for [them] to explore new and varying subjects.” When each April rolls around, voters are given a choice to pass Kingsway District’s budget, which would result in another tax increase. Residents in Woolwich, such as Debbie Calabree, said the tax increases hurt, but are necessary. “Financial circumstances play a role in everyone’s decision on the budget,” she said. “The increase in taxes already hurts us — however, not passing the budget impacts students substantially." From 2005 to 2010, the district’s budget failed to pass four times with an average of
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1970
1980
1990
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2000
2010
GREENWICH
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EAST GREENWICH
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GLOUCESTER COUNTY
Y.
322
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SALEM COUNTY
length of a classroom, wireless presentation remotes for every room, and exercise equipment for the weight and cardio-fitness area were all paid for through such donations and fund-raisings, not from the district’s wallet. But there is something of a silver lining. Says Yannacone: “I think that one of the benefits of a recession is that it requires both the adults and the students to think about the differences between ‘wants’ and ‘needs,’ and I think that at the high school level, students are acutely aware of the financial situation of their families, and I’ve seen what I consider to be a positive change in the awareness level and responsiveness and responsibility of individual students towards finances.”
The healing begins, but hold the bubbly By Eric Jackman
Kingsway superintendent James J. Lavender notes that budgets have failed to pass with “less than 20 percent voter turnout.”
2010
for new items such as laptops or textbooks is grants from organizations like Classrooms for the Future. It was through a grant from this organization, and much extra work on the part of teachers, that the district was able to purchase new laptops for social studies classes at Strath Haven last year, Foulk said. “We’ve been very fortunate — when we’ve had financial need for something that we could not cover with the budget, we’ve been able to identify private donors, or engage our parent network, in fundraising in order to support those needs,” Strath Haven principal MaryJo Yannacone said. Expenses like Diversitrack mounts, which allow teachers to maneuver SMART and Promethean board interfaces across the
.
N.J
. TPK
SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau
“People don’t realize how the lack of funding directly affects education,” she said. Developments have been springing up all over Woolwich within the last decade, which has caused a steady wave of new residents. Two brand-new elementary schools and a new middle school have been built to accommodate the influx of new students, along with additions on the high school and two already existing elementary schools. All of this construction occurred only in a few years. With the increase in residents, there has not been a great increase in commercial properties. Currently, only 12
45
SOUTH HARRISON
N MILES
0
2
JOHN DUCHNESKIE / Staff Artist
percent of the total population is commercial. The municipal council believes this number needs to be between 30 and 40 percent for an effective tax balance between residents and businesses. As a result of this percentage being so low, residents have had to fork over their own money to pay for the increase in various municipal services. “Nobody wants to pay more taxes, but this is the way our state’s school funding is set up,” Camp said. Despite the outcome of the upcoming April 27 budget election, Lavender said, “the bottom line is that we have to expand and we will have to build.”
have the health-care act taken away because many peoYoung adults were a key de- ple might have trouble affordmographic that helped to elect ing doctor’s visits and other President Obama in 2008. Poll- health care on their own. ing data show that 66 percent But despite uncertainty, of people under 30 voted for Baxter still plans to pursue Obama, the highest share of her dreams. the youth vote obtained by “I would choose a job I truly any candidate since exit polls enjoy, not because of the insurbegan reporting results by ance and benefits,” she said. age. The issue has united young One of the top provisions of adults across boundaries of the Affordable Care Act, political preferences. which was passed last year, Matthew Boccutti, 23, is a was to make health insurance recent graduate of Pennsylvamore affordable to the mil- nia State University who lions of Americans who can- works at St. Joseph’s Prep. not afford it. For young He has a degree in secondary adults, the real bonanza was education and works as a biolthe provision allowing those ogy and environmental sciunder 26 to remain on their ence teacher at the school. parents’ insurance policy at Boccutti was fortunate the parents’ choice. enough to be selected by the A good thing in a sour econ- school’s Alumni Service Corp. omy, right? to work there for a year. If he Not so fast, say many con- had been passed over, he said, gressional Republicans who he might still be looking for a have steadfastly opposed the job, a situation many recent law. When the 112th Congress college graduates find themconvened earlier this year, selves in. Boccutti is also fortuone of the House’s first offi- nate that the school provides cial acts was to take on the him with health benefits. If he new health-care law. The wasn’t on the school’s plan, House passed a repeal of the he, like many others, would be law, but the measure was on his parents’. dead on arrival in the Senate. Boccutti is in favor of keepMany young people, whether ing that provision of the bill they voted for Obama or not, because it relieves him of the could find themselves in the po- burden of paying insurance sition of not having any health costs while he is repaying his insurance should they get sick. student loans, but more imCourtney Baxter is one such portant, because of the job young adult who is saying, market. wait a minute — this isn't fair. “Having a job shouldn’t be The 19-year-old is a North linked to having insurance,” Philadelphia native who is a he said. “You need to be able freshman at Delaware County to take care of fundamental Community College majoring needs rather than the quality in psychology. This bill af- of life.” fects her because she is not Boccutti believes that the currently on her parents’ in- economy already sets restricsurance. If the act is re- tions on the jobs people want pealed, she will have limited to take. If the health-care act is options. repealed, college students will “It doesn’t matter if I’m on be under even more pressure. my parents’ insurance or my He is a registered Republiown,” she said. “I just need can, but in this debate, politics some kind of insurance.” has become less important Baxter said she believes than the desire to stay healthy. that since budgets are tight “You’re in a less bad place if for everyone, especially you can be on your parents’ young adults, it is unfair to insurance,” Boccutti said. ST. JOSEPH’S PREPARATORY SCHOOL
AKIRA SUWA / Staff Photographer
The class of 2011 poses for a group picture in The Inquirer newsroom. Students were taught the fundamentals of journalism by staffers during a monthlong, hands-on program in February.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
First Take Employment
Trouble for
TEENS
The jobless rate for teens remains near
22
20
Age and lack of time cited as difficulties for young job seekers in a tough economy.
27.1%
record high levels
26%
as the class of 2011 nears graduation.
24
Monthly unemployment rate for ages 16 to 19, seasonally adjusted
Feb. 2011
23.9%
SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics
19.0%
PHOENIXVILLE AREA HIGH SCHOOL
Class of 2011 enters high school
18
16.0%
Jan. 2001
16
13.8%
14 MORGAN HARRIS / West Deptford HIgh School
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By Zack Weber
Sept. 2007
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Employment is lagging for teenagers
Oct. 2009 and 2010
June 2003
2001
www.philly.com
THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
2008
2009
2010
2011
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By Taylor Perkins
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL
Going to the movies, the mall, and down the Shore are all activities that teens enjoy. Just having fun and living life to the fullest while they still can is all teens have to worry about, right? Ashley Myers, a 17-year-old Washington Township resident and teenage job-seeker, has a few concerns. She understands the value of a dollar and was desperate to find a job, even though she knew that the economy was in the tank. “Finding a job has been so difficult for me because competition for work has been heightened by the amount of unemployed adults seeking work, as well as the amount of TAYLOR PERKINS / First Take Staff teens,” Myers said. “Finding a job has been so difficult,” says Ashley Myers, 17, of Washington Twp. (right). Her age hasn’t Myers is just one of a helped. “The fact that I’m not 18 makes me more of a disadvantage than an asset.” legion of teenagers in the Philadelphia re“Most places I’ve gone to like everyone else, were many Americans who once gion and across the country aren’t looking for more em- caught in its grip. never thought about being laid having a tough go at it in this ployees to pay, and if they are, Prasun Sharma, 17, of Wash- off were trying to find ways to recession. the fact that I’m not 18 makes ington Township, felt the nega- maintain their standard of livAccording to studies, 50 per- me more of a disadvantage tive impact of the economy, ing. Many were looking for cent of baby boomers worked than an asset for them,” but he’s taking away some- any job that they could get. as teens, and even a decade Myers said. thing positive from the situa- This resulted in many adults ago 45 percent of teens were There was a time not too tion. “I feel like this economy taking jobs at businesses such employed. But by September long ago when teens didn’t has been a positive lesson to as Starbucks, McDonald’s, or a 2010, just 25 percent of teenag- have to deal much with such teens overall because it is local pizzeria that once emers had a job. weighty issues. teaching them money manage- ployed mainly teens. Myers worked at a Denny’s “It is just as important for Money came from their ment. in Washington Township. But mothers and fathers, the latest “Since there is no inflow of teens to have jobs as it is for the Denny’s recently closed, gadgets were given not just on money for them, they are learn- adults. We’re the future. If and Myers restarted her job holidays, and having a job was ing proper, conservative ways we go into the early years of search. not a main priority. Parents on how to spend their money, adulthood without a decent And while she was able to didn’t mind going out to din- which would be beneficial to amount of money saved, it’s find another job to her liking, ner a couple times a month, them. Yes, the economy has only going to perpetrate the the employer was hiring just and taking a vacation was been hard on everyone, but at circumstances wrought with for the holiday season. For something that happened ev- the same time this is some- financial stress,” Myers said. Myers, this meant starting all ery summer. thing we can learn from in the So Myers and millions of over again. But all of this started to long run, to realize the worth teenagers like her are preNot only was the state of the change in late 2007. Suddenly, of a dollar,” Sharma said. pared to ride out the stormy economy a factor, age worked America was in the throes of a As the recession deepened economic weather hoping betrecession, and young adults, over the last several years, ter days are ahead. against her, too.
Sometimes adults wish they could relive their teenage years, but, when it comes to job hunting these days, life for America’s youth may not be as easy as some remember it. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the unemployment rate for teenagers ages 16 through 19 to be more than three times higher than it is for those who are older. In January, the bureau reported the unemployment rate for teenagers at 25.7 percent, compared to 8.4 percent for job seekers ages 20 and over. The unemployment rate for teenagers ages 16 through 19 was estimated at 15.1 percent by the bureau in January 2006. Driven by the reZACK WEBER / First Take Staff cent economic recession, that figure has hov- Reena Gohil has had trouble ered in the mid-20s over finding a job. “They never the past couple years, got back to me,” she said and teens are noticing. about potential employers. Phoenixville Area High School senior Reena Gohil says that over the last year, she has applied to numerous establishments, from clothing stores to supermarkets. “They never got back to me,” Gohil said. “I went into American Eagle,” Gohil said, “and they just stuck my application in a drawer. I kind of knew I wasn’t going to get the job.” She believes the difficulty stems from her age and the fact she is still in school, noting she does not “have enough time required for many of the positions.” For her, the worst aspect of not having a job is the subsequent lack of spending money and inability to participate in common activities that cost money, like trips to the movies and Austin Moore works at Rita’s concerts. “I just can’t go Water Ice. He advises shopping as often as I teenage job seekers to want to,” Gohil said. “look presentable.” Despite the employment conditions, some students have managed to find part-time jobs. Austin Moore, also 17 and a senior at Phoenixville, considers himself one of the fortunate ones. He has worked at Rita’s Water Ice for two consecutive years and was promoted to manager last fall. Having a job makes him “feel good about myself since I am able to pay with my own money and not my parents’,” Moore said. His earnings enable him to go out with friends and have fun doing things that those who are unemployed cannot afford. Moore suggests teenage job seekers “look presentable when you first get interviewed” and, if possible, provide “good recommendations that will back you up.”
For area teens, the economy is as dismal as it is for adults Losing a job hits hard. In some cases, they were easing the burden of struggling parents.
This creates a bleak future for America's youth. Senior Paul Petty of West Deptford, for instance, one of those who lost his job, is looking to the Navy to pay for his college education. By John Cafasso “I want to do something inWEST DEPTFORD HIGH SCHOOL teresting in my life, and I get There was a time when to go to college for free,” he teenagers enjoyed carefree said, “and that’s fantastic." lives with very little to worry A majority of today’s teenagabout other than taking a ers find themselves in the date to the movies, buying same employment situation the latest designer clothes, or as Petty. copping the latest gadget. “I needed the money so I Today, that is changing. could get things so my mothYoung people are now called er wouldn’t have to worry upon take on their own finanabout it,” Petty said. “She’s a cial responsibility. But that is little short on money herself.” becoming harder to do if teenSince losing his job, Petty agers are finding themselves said, he no longer can afford in a more competitive job hanging out much in restaumarket and losing the partrants with friends. “I try to time jobs they already have. eat at home now as much as I On a cold February afterpossibly can,” he said. noon, after a routine school It is clear that the economy day, several students at West today has resulted in many Deptford High School got a GARRETT EVANS / For First Take teens living a more stressful disappointing phone call: The Former part-time employees of what once was Sixth Avenue Electronics in Deptford are life. To have the life they want Sixth Avenue Electronics (from left) Zach Sherf, Paul Petty, Daniel Harding, Dan Gillespie, and John Cafasso. to live at this age, teenagers store told them they had lost will need a job. With parents their part-time jobs. For the SAT,” said West Deptford 20.5 percent of America’s 16 to 24 without a job. struggling as much as, if not these students, the timing senior Dan Gillespie. Of his young adults today. It’s a diFor teenagers in particular, more than, their children towas particularly bad; in some parents, he said: “I don’t want rect result of the down econo- the numbers aren’t looking day, teens have no other opcases, their parents were go- to bother them because my. promising. In 1999, the unem- tion. ing through struggles of their they’re going through their “I was really relieved when Between October and De- ployment rate for citizens own economic problems.” own. cember, the number of unem- from ages 17 to 19 was 13.9 I first got my job,” said “Without my job, it’s affectA recent study has shown ployed young adults rose percent. In January, the rate Gillespie, who lost his elecing me trying to do other that these South Jersey teens 44,000. That’s a total of 2.5 almost doubled to 25.7 per- tronics-store job. “It was one things, like wanting to take are suffering the same fate as million between the ages of cent. of my biggest goals during
this rough economy.” But getting the jobs seems to be only half the battle. Hardworking, successful young adults and teenagers could be employed and — in the blink of an eye — get kicked to the curb. College seems to be one of the main economic concerns for every high school senior. Facing daunting tuition price tags, students are realizing they eventually have to go out and find a job to help ease the hefty costs of college. “I do believe,” West Deptford senior Zach Sherf said, “at some point, I’m going to have to go out and get another job, because I really do need help paying for college.” But he’s confident things will turn around. “I have no fear finding a job.” College students haven’t escaped the harsh economic realities either. Daniel Harding, a sophomore at Gloucester County College and another of the laid-off electronicsstore employees, has put off plans to buy a new guitar. “I was very surprised when I heard about losing my job,” Harding said. “I want another job, but I feel like a new job won’t be as good as my last one.”
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www.philly.com
Saturday, April 2, 2011
THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
First Take Employment
SIOBHAN REDDING / First Take Staff
Jacquette’s Bakery in Broomall. Owner Dennis Jacquette says, “Comfort food is very important to people at this time.”
How small firms adapt to downturn By Siobhan Redding
75 percent of his items slightly increased. Now, he is conIn today’s economy, hard stantly looking for ways to work does not seem to be cut back, about 2 percent to 3 enough for small businesses percent at a time. to prosper. Fulfilling the “There are changes that dream has become much need to be made in order to more complicated. cope with this economy,” he In the Philadelphia area, said, “but one thing we will small-business owners have never do here is cheapen our struggled with the difficulties product.” of the uncertain economy. For the bakery, as with othIndependently owned Jac- er small businesses, competiquette’s Bakery in Broomall tion has become a huge issue, has struggled with the failing mainly with larger businesses economy and has been able selling similar products. to survive. From the outside, these large Dennis Jacquette, the businesses appear to have all pastry shop’s owner for 31 the advantages. But, accordyears, described the econo- ing to Fleming, that is not necmy’s effect as “a little chal- essarily the case. lenging, but not much of a “Large businesses are sufproblem.” fering just like the small busi“Comfort food,” he said, “is nesses. There have been devery important to people at creases in revenue, job cuts, this time.” and difficulty obtaining fiAlthough Jacquette has not nances,” he said. sought the help of outside Having chain supermarkets sources, some small business- as its main competition has es have. One source is the not been easy for Jacquette’s U.S. Small Business Adminis- Bakery. But small businesses, tration. Created in 1953, the though outnumbered in cusSBA was designed to assist tomers, do have an edge small businesses financially when it comes to personal serwhen they needed the help. vice. In fact, Jacquette be“The SBA offers training lieves having fewer customand financial advice for strug- ers may just be what drives gling small businesses,” said small businesses to succeed. John Fleming, the acting Phil“Personal touch definitely adelphia district director, has something to do with it,” “and has had great results.” Jacquette said. He is very faOne benefit of the adminis- miliar with his customers and tration is its loan program, knows most on a first-name which Fleming described as basis. “There is even one fam“amazing.” In the second half ily,” he said, “that has been of fiscal 2010, $127 million getting their son’s birthday was loaned to small business- cakes from Jacquette’s for es, almost doubling the the past 28 years.” $68 million disbursed in the The economy is what drives first six months. today’s society. Whether it is The biggest problem for positive or negative, the efJacquette has not been the fect is inescapable. In the number of customers, but the small-business world, preparcost of energy and food. ing for the future is about all “Between 2009 and 2010, merchants can do in times gross sales have not changed like these. much, with just a 1 percent “Those who plan the best decrease,” said Jacquette. “In- will survive,” said the SBA’s gredients cost more, though. Fleming. There was a 14 percent inWhile Jacquette agrees, he crease in resources in the credits his shop’s success to year of 2010.” “part luck, part hard work.” Though he was reluctant to No matter what challenges raise the price of his prod- lie ahead for his small bakery, ucts, Jacquette knew it was Jacquette stands by advice he inevitable if he was to com- received long ago: “Prices are pete with other bakeries. In forgotten, but quality is reDecember 2010, prices on membered.” MARPLE NEWTOWN HIGH SCHOOL
CIARA STONE / First Take Staff
Comer Rucker inspects a parquet table in his shop, Furniture Artisans in North Philadelphia. Before the recession in December 2007, he had six employees. Now he has two, and may not be able to retain them as a weak economy has taken its toll.
Struggles of ‘a little guy’
A furniture workshop owner is seeing his business and dream slip away. By Ciara Stone
PHILADELPHIA HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
It has been quite a rough few years for small-business owner Comer Rucker as his furniture shop and his dream of financial independence began slipping through his fingers. As the economy weakened, fewer people needed or could afford Rucker’s assistance in remodeling their tired and outdated furniture. These days, Rucker sits in his shop, Furniture Artisans in North Philadelphia, and wonders whether his business will survive. “It’s like a gambler with a bad hand. There is no point in bluffing. You have to know when to fold,” he states. The small workshop stands independently in the heart of North Philadelphia. Like wounded warriors, piles of worn furniture stand in every corner struggling to the ceiling. Rucker sees the potential in cracked surfaces, shattered tabletops, and armless chairs. He keeps these pieces in large rooms until they are transported to the heart of the shop to be resurrected. Since the economy’s downturn, Rucker has been striving to triumph over the difficulties of having to maintain his business. Before the recession in December 2007, he had six employees. However, the crip-
An oak table being refurbished at Furniture Artisans. The business specializes in cast-off items. pling state of the economy forced him to eliminate four, leaving the positions of the remaining two in question. Sales decreased dramatically, slowing his cash flow to a trickle. Each month he must balance his disintegrating income in order to pay the mortgage of his suburban home and the utilities of his workshop. He lives job to job, hoping a refurbished table will take care of his monthly car payments, and a new upholstered dining set will satisfy Peco’s hunger. It wasn’t always this way.
With only a passionate dream, Rucker established Furniture Artisans. His ability to take garbage left out on the curbside and transform it into stunning works of art inevitably designed his future. “I wanted to pursue my skill for my own agenda, not to be dedicated to a company for it to choose my destiny,” he said, that same passion still in his voice. Furniture Artisans had been up and running successfully until the economy’s crumble. Relying on self-motivation
and faith alone, Rucker hopes that the flame heating his eternal passion will be enough to keep him going in these challenging times. As each day rises, Rucker’s future and the future of his dream become blurred. Will it be longer work days struggling to make ends meet or premature retirement? Trying to sort out his emotions, Rucker brought up the bankruptcy of the giant insurer, American International Group (AIG). “If AIG can’t make it, how can a little guy like me?”
More foreign students head home after graduating
Career opportunities, quality of life are cited. But the U.S. loses out in a “reverse brain drain.” By Judy Yang
BAYARD RUSTIN HIGH SCHOOL
Thomas Yu, a computer programmer, came to the United States 20 years ago in search of the American Dream. Yu, now 50, along with millions of Chinese immigrants, believed that there were endless opportunities to be found in this country. After earning his master’s degree at the University of Alabama, Yu and his wife settled in the suburbs of Philadelphia with their children and planned to retire in the area. “The U.S. was the best country at the time, far ahead of others,” Yu said. “Why would I return back to China?” Today, his nephew, Chak Hoi, 16, is applying to private high schools in the United States. However, unlike Yu, Chak Hoi plans to return home to China once he earns his high school diploma and then an American college degree. “The colleges in the U.S. have worldwide recognition as the best in the world,” he said. “However, China is not far behind the U.S., so I see no disadvantages to returning home. “The chances of finding a good job with a U.S. degree
didn’t stand such a great chance,” she said. “The world is interconnected, everyone leads international lives and are high,” he said. “Plus, I are globe-trotters, etc., but at will be much more comfortthe end of the day, you’re tied able and happy in my own to what citizenship you are.” country.” Usui believes returning to Researchers have noticed the United States is a possibilan increase in what they call a ity in the future. However, as “reverse brain drain,” where a foreigner, she wants to gain skilled workers, including scimore experience before enterentists, engineers, and docing the U.S. job market. tors, educated in the States, Vivek Wadhwa, a senior rereturn to their native counsearch associate at Harvard tries. According to the nonLaw School, said in an interprofit organization Ewing Marview with New America Meion Kauffman Foundation in dia that “over the last 20 years Kansas City, Mo., career opyou’ve had 50,000 each going portunities, as well as quality back to India and China.” JUDY YANG / First Take Staff of life, are cited as the main Thomas Yu came to the United States 20 years ago and stayed. “Before, I used to say that reasons so many are leaving. Chak Hoi, 16, his nephew, plans to attend high school and 50,000 more will go in the In the past, many immi- college in this country and then return to China. next five years,” Wadhwa grants may have felt homesaid. “Based on the economic sick but stayed in this coun- tance for immigrants to move be promoted. downturn, my prediction is try for economic reasons. back home. Maia Usui, 21, is a senior that 100,000 skilled workers However, with the United On the other hand, immi- history major at Harvard Col- will return, both to India and States in recovery from a re- grants who do stay in this lege. As a Japanese citizen, to China over the next five cession, and the strong eco- country are faced with the she will return to Japan upon years or so.” nomic growth of countries limited skilled-worker visas graduation to work for JP This reverse brain drain such as China and India, the the government hands out. Morgan, an investment bank. could have significant effects mind-sets of many immi- Green-card applications She is a prime example of the on the United States, as it grants have shifted. Some for- take years to complete and reverse brain drain. takes some of the brightest eigners see no advantage in the citizenship process takes Although she is fond of the minds that were nurtured staying in America after earn- immense time and patience. United States, she applied for here to benefit foreign couning their degrees. According to the Kauffman a job in Tokyo because she tries. With an American educa- Foundation, more than one thought it was much more According to Bloomberg tion, they can return to their million skilled immigrant competitive to get a job in the Businessweek, while imminative countries to a comfort- workers are competing for States. grants make up only 12 perable and higher-paying job. 120,000 permanent U.S. resi“It’s harder for foreigners cent of the U.S. population, Some countries, like China, dent visas each year. During to get a work visa, and be- 52 percent of Silicon Valley’s are offering incentives such this time, immigrants can- cause others are just as technology companies were as housing and financial assis- not travel internationally or bright as me, I thought I started by immigrants. They
also are 24 percent of the U.S. science and engineering workforce holding bachelor’s degrees and 47 percent of science and engineering workers holding Ph.D.s. Oleg Dmytrenko, 27, a Ukrainian microbiology graduate student at Harvard University, said he is just studying here and plans to return to Europe. Harvard and MIT offered him better scholarships than Cambridge, which is why he chose to come to this country. Despite wanting to eventually return to Europe, Dmytrenko praised the quality of education at Harvard. “Science is at a good level here,” he said. “I can do whatever I want. I have more time to choose my topics and which courses I take.” Dmytrenko said, “I have more freedom. Harvard prepares you as an independent researcher and thinker.” When he does return to Ukraine, Dmytrenko believes a Harvard degree will be very helpful. His decision to leave the United States is partially based on difficulties adapting to American culture. “The cultural difference is what makes it hard for me to stay,” Dmytrenko said. Nonetheless, “if an amazing opportunity comes along, I might consider staying here.”
Saturday, April 2, 2011
www.philly.com
THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
First Take Finances
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CORSAIR LAYTON / First Take Staff
Dyisha M. Corbin and son Machi. Laid off in 2009, she hunts for work.
Getting by, but eager to earn her keep Like many single moms, she gets jobless benefits, but, Dyisha M. Corbin says, “I’d rather work.” By Corsair Layton
SPRINGFIELD HIGH SCHOOL
JOHN COSTELLO / File Photograph
The homeless taking shelter in the lobby of the Camden County administration building. A survey said there are about 3.5 million people who live on the streets.
Already down and out, homeless are particularly affected by economic downturn.
Shelters see increase in population By Chelsea Burns
had to put people on a waiting list,” said Tammy Morris, In a recession, we all feel who works at the shelter. the pinch of a slow economy. However, she said that the Homes, places of worship, shelter no longer has a waitjobs, and lifestyles are all af- ing list. As of Feb. 24, at least fected in some way. 50 people, including families, Perhaps the people affected were residing in the Cumbermost are those who are down land Family Shelter. on their luck and find themHomeless shelters in Philaselves without shelter or suffi- delphia and Camden said cient food: the homeless. they could not release inforAccording to a recent sur- mation about their shelters or vey by the National Law Cen- residents. ter on Homelessness and PovAccording to the outreach erty, there are about 3.5 mil- o r g a n i z a t i o n Project lion homeless people, includ- H.O.M.E., 9 percent of the ing 1.35 million children. homeless are between the With the downturn of the ages of 18 to 25, 49 percent economy, some shelters in are between the ages of 26 to the Delaware Valley, such as 45, 40 percent are between 46 the Cumberland Family Shel- to 65 and 3 percent 65 and ter in Vineland, N.J., saw an over. increase in people needing asSome other Project sistance. H.O.M.E. statistics show that “Thirteen months ago, they the majority — 80 percent — TRITON REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
of homeless people are African American, followed by 13 percent white and 6 percent Latino. Some causes of homelessness are: poverty from a lack of good jobs and minimal government, domestic violence, mental illness, and substance abuse. Data also show that 6.3 percent of the U.S. population is currently living in poverty, according to USA Today. One percent of the U.S. population has experienced homelessness. Longtime Camden resident and activist Frank Fulbrook said homelessness became a problem in the South Jersey city in the 1980s and has continued to increase ever since. However, many religious organizations in Camden have started food-sharing programs to assist the homeless
and poor. For those who need a shelter, Morris suggests people call the shelter beforehand. There are a variety of shelters depending on people's needs, such as emergency and homeless shelters which provide short term housing, and day shelters that do not offer overnight stay, but offer a meal and a shower and some laundry facilities. Some shelters ask for a certain percentage of income from the residents for using the facilities and most of the shelters only allow a short stay. Many shelters rely on donations. Morris said that despite the economy, people are still donating items. “Things have been OK — no negative impact. Things have
been donated like clothes, personal hygiene supplies, baked food, and toys for children during Christmas time,” she said. Though Morris says most shelters do not turn people away — they take men, women, children with guardians — there are some restrictions and rules for residents at homeless shelters. The Cumberland Family Shelter does a screening process and background check, not admitting registered sex offenders. “There are requirements to be admitted,” Morris said. First, residents must follow rules. Second, they must agree to look for housing and a job, and third, they must attend mandatory classes. “There is a time limit, which one way is through welfare … How long you can receive welfare is up to 90 days.”
Nation’s debt problems are hitting home Single mother caught in credit-card squeeze. By Meghan Coyle
TRITON REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Karen O’Hanlon rates herself high on the misery index. “I’m living paycheck to paycheck. My credit card is maxed out for the first time in my life and I have a very high minimum payment,” said the single mother from South Jersey. “I pay my creditcard bills every month and they just do not seem to go down because of the high interest rates.” O’Hanlon’s matter-of-fact statement of her financial status echoes that of many Americans grappling to stay afloat in today’s choppy economic waters. What’s more, she’s also speaking about the state of a debt-ridden country. Over the last 30 years, U.S. debt has grown exponentially. The cost of products has risen at a rate much greater than that of the average American income. The federal debt in 1981 was estimated at $995 billion. Now, the United States finds itself buried in a $14 trillion debt. Disposable income has become a major contributor to American debt. An article in the Economist stated that household income and consumer debt jumped from 100 percent of GDP in 1980 to a staggering 173 percent currently. Count O’Hanlon as one who is caught in the squeeze. "Right now it would take me 30 years to pay off my credit-card balance if I keep having to pay the minimum amount,” she said. “It’s equivalent to having a 30-year
ROSS D. FRANKLIN / Associated Press, File
A foreclosure sign sits outside a home for sale in Phoenix. Foreclosures have soared, adding to Americans’ misery index. mortgage on a house.” According to ChartingTheEconomy.com, U.S. household debt as a percentage of personal disposable income has doubled since the early 1980s. Any extra income in today’s regular household is being spent frivolously on unnecessary items that weren’t even at our disposal 30 years ago. In O’Hanlon’s case, getting a divorce made matters even harder. “Getting a divorce and going from two incomes to one has been hard. It’s the reason
I’m in debt,” she said. “I had to start a new career. I went to school to be able to work in the medical field, and now I’m at the bottom of my salary range because of my lack of experience.” Before the current recession, U.S. debt had grown by 50 percent. American income had increased throughout the years, but the cost of products has risen at a much faster rate. Once the recession began to take root, unemployment numbers went through the roof as millions of jobs were
lost. Add to that the housing market’s collapse. Along with rising gas prices and a sagging retail market, the economy is still dealing with the housing bubble that burst after years of rapidly increasing prices. An article in Real Estate Industry News reported a 7.6 percent decrease in home sales from a year ago. Al Heavens, an Inquirer real estate columnist, said that the downfall of the real estate industry had done nothing but “create misery.” Heavens links some of the
nation’s unemployment to the construction industry. “No one’s building,” Heavens stated, “and because of the high unemployment, the number of foreclosures has reached record levels.” According to Heavens, foreclosures in 2005 were at 500,000, and as of last year, that number had risen to a whopping 2.5 million. As the country slowly rebounds from this economic morass, one thing is clear: We as a nation, a community, and a household must get our financial house in order.
Five years ago, the future looked bright for Dyisha M. Corbin. She was a smart, carefree 24-year-old working as a pharmaceutical engineer in King of Prussia. She and her boyfriend decided to have a baby. Today, Corbin is 29, single, unemployed, and struggling to care for her son, Machi, almost 5. Corbin, known as Kia, is the face of the single, unemployed American in this sagging economy. In October 2009, Corbin was laid off — she still does not know why — and is now trying her best to get by. When she was working and earning $11.20 an hour, Corbin was able to take care of herself and Machi, with her own money, without help from others. Asked if it was easy taking care of herself and her son, she said, “It can be hard, but it wasn’t that bad for me, because I planned my money really well. As long as I was smart with my money, I was usually OK.” After getting laid off and after a few days of looking for jobs, she filed for unemployment benefits. She never found out the reason for losing her job. “They didn't give me a legitimate answer,” she said. Even with a declining unemployment rate, now down to 8.9 percent, Corbin still has not found a job. She has searched everything from the Internet to newspapers, but she has had little success so far. Now, she receives money from the state to support her family, while she applies everywhere for any job so she can earn the money from her own hard work. It’s more of an issue of pride than anything else for Corbin. “I’d rather work and receive my check from my own diligence rather than receive a check from sitting around all day and doing nothing,” she said. In the nation’s economy, things aren’t the same as they once were. Prices have gone up on everything from toys and games to gasoline. Workers employed for decades have been laid off and left without jobs; even those ready for retirement are without hope. In the midst of all of these changes, the biggest issue is trying to survive. Many of the jobs that were seen as a “sure thing” don’t even exist anymore, and people constantly have to fight to become employed. For Corbin, waking up is not a chore. It gives her time to spend with her son before she tries her best to find another job. She wakes up, makes Machi breakfast, then takes him to school. Then she comes home and sends out mass copies of her resume. After getting laid off, filing for unemployment, and taking care of a baby by yourself, everything else must seem easy. When she was 17, Corbin would be asked by people where she thought she’d be in the future. “I saw myself with a college degree," she said, “a good job in which I was utilizing my degree, and living on my own.”
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Saturday, April 2, 2011
THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
First Take Music
For concert business, no discordant chords A sour economy has forced promoters to come up with ways to keep concertgoers tuned in.
and Ticketmaster, Zombolas said. The less expensive venues, according to Zombolas, are places such as the First crease in ‘convenience fees,’ ” Unitarian Church or the BarBy Hannah Landers UPPER MORELAND HIGH SCHOOL said Emily Hakes, an Upper bary, because they have It’s a Friday night and Moreland High School senior shows put together by a comthrongs of excited concert- who tries to attend about one pany called R5 Productions. goers are packed into the Tro- concert every month. She What makes R5 Produccadero Theater on Arch finds this more annoying tions different from TicketStreet, eager for the moment than pricey tickets, saying master or Live Nation? when their favorite band will that she “doesn’t like feeling R5 advertises itself in large, swagger onstage. Though the tricked” and would rather bold font on its website as a economy is off its rhythm, the pay a higher face value than “Do It Yourself” promotion concert business seems to be be sideswiped by additional agency “whose main goal is expenses. humming a different tune. to provide the Philadelphia Another recession coping Ticket prices are plummetarea with cheap, friendly, ing, causing an influx in the strategy? shows in an honest intimate number of people attending Catching concerts proshows. Prices fell for the duced by low-margin booking setting.” Since R5 doesn’t third year in a row on Stub- agencies that schedule shows own any of the venues in Hub, a website for fans to buy in cheaper venues. “The pric- which it schedules shows, and sell tickets to different ing in relation to the venue they don’t have to pay for events. At the same time the relies entirely on the compa- maintenance or security, Zomnumber of tickets bought and ny that books the act,” said bolas said. “R5’s shows are always sold on the site jumped to frequent concertgoer Chris 15,000 tickets in 2010 from Zombolas, an Upper More- around $12 and $16 at the highest,” he said, which is 14,000 tickets in 2009 accord- land sophomore. ing to Daily Finance, an AOL The Electric Factory and why he prefers to attend money and finance site. Fall- the Theater of Living Arts are shows put together by that oring prices, however, don’t al- more expensive venues since ganization. ways mean cheaper tickets. Whether a big or small comthe companies that book “There’s been a major in- shows there are Live Nation pany, no matter how hard the
Best Coast jams at a show organized by R5 Productions at the Starlight Ballroom in Philadelphia. R5 is a “do-it-yourself” promotion agency whose goal is to provide cheap, friendly shows. recession hits, concert ticket sales are singing the song of success. In many cases, it’s the love of music and the ex-
perience of seeing a band live that can trump the convenience fees and the elevated prices from corporations.
“If I really want to see a band,” Hakes said, “I will probably pay for the ticket regardless of cost.”
Costs can stymie performer’s start With the recession, musicians find that economic survival can trump artistic goals. By Kyle Miller
SUN VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL
For years, Devin Simonds spent every waking moment perfecting his craft as a drummer. Music was his life, his passion and he dreamed one day of being a rock star. But the path to that dream has taken a slight detour as Simonds, now a student at Shippensburg University and majoring in business and marketing , is sometimes dancing to a different beat. “I’d love to play in a band for a living, but I need to have something to fall back on,” said Simonds, who is a drummer for Sean Cox, an upcoming folk-rock musician. It’s difficult for musicians and artists to put their lifelong dream on hold, but the recession is pushing talented young adults more and more toward pragmatic survival. What a tough economy means is that it will now be harder for fledgling groups to burst onto the music scene because of the financial hardships they will have to overcome. Groups from the Philadelphia region haven’t been able to break through the way they once did because of the high cost of recording and maintaining a band. Sine Studios, a Philadelphia recording studio, charges $75 an hour, a price that many young groups just can’t cough up.
KYLE MILLER / First Take Staff
OCD: Moosh & Twist at the Philadelphia Expo Center. The local high school seniors have used online videos to build a fan base. Bands could take the route of buying their own recording equipment. But by the time a band buys the microphone, software, mixer, and other essentials, the cost can top $1,000. Because of these high costs, unknown bands have a tough time getting their music out to the public. And it’s not just the underground scene that is hurting. Mainstream bands have been losing money because of illegal downloading. The RIAA says that there is over $12.5
billion lost a year due to music piracy. Top bands make more money from the shows and concerts they perform than they do off of their albums. In 2010, album sales were the lowest that they have been since Nielsen/SoundScan started tracking them 1991. Although 362.2 million albums may sound like a lot, it is well under half of what it was at the start of the decade. But maybe the stars have it easy compared with youngsters trying to make a name
for themselves. Kevin Schiazza of the band the Worst Friends Ever says that up and comers in the music industry have been hit hardest by the recession. “There is so much money that goes into being in a band that if you are not established, then you’re going to have a tough time.” Schiazza and his crew of Sun Valley High School friends, Andrew Taylor and Nick Stackhouse, started the band four years ago and final-
ly got their music onto iTunes last year. But because the three college students were short on money, they couldn't afford more than five songs and minimal marketing of their EP (extended play). While the Worst Friends Ever continue on their path, YouTube sensations OCD: Moosh & Twist are pursuing a different strategy as their music finds a fan base online. DeQuincy “Moosh” McRae and Oliver “Twist” Feighan are still seniors in high school
and doing what they can to make it in the rap business — even if it means, for the moment, delaying college. “We’ve been blessed to have connections in the industry,” said Feighan, a Friends Select student. “Without that, I don’t know where we would be.” McRae, who goes to Haverford High School, and Feighan have been performing together for four years now and are starting to get more and more attention as a rap duo. But the attention comes at a price. To make the music videos that are getting more and more views everyday on YouTube, they have to come up with the money. The cost of the videos, made by Rex Arrow, ranges from $700 to $1000, and parents can only be so supportive in this economy. So, where do two teenagers come up with the cash to make these pricey music videos? They have to take jobs to support their group. So McRae and Feighan are going to school, working, and doing what they truly love, which is making music. Is that too much? Well, that just might be what it takes to make it these days. Music has always been around and always will be. It’s a tough industry to break into and the recession has only made it harder. Asked if they would rather be able to buy their fame, McRae and Feighan both answered passionately, “It would be easier, but we have more respect for people who make it from the bottom up. Eventually, the music will speak for itself and people will see our love and passion for the game.”
Bands, recording companies say music piracy can hurt By Melinda Szkaradnik METHACTON HIGH SCHOOL
In 2003, Brendan Walter, guitarist for the rock band Valencia, was sued by the Recording Industry Association of America in the first wave of illegal-downloading lawsuits — now, he’s a member of the same association. “I am definitely guilty of downloading music,” Walter said. “On one hand, I know how expensive and time-consuming it is to make a record and how it’s worth every penny,” he said. “On the other hand, this day and age creates a whole new level of people’s ability to check out music — you can download 15 albums in one day.” Although piracy is relatively simple with the technology available today, bands and recording compnaies say it is stealing money out of their pockets. According to the RIAA, piracy causes the music industry to lose $12.5 billion every year, along with 71,060 U.S. jobs. Other losses include
Courtesy of the artist
Brendan Walter (seated), with his band Valencia, was once sued for illegal music downloading. Now he fights it, saying: “I know how expensive and time-consuming it is to make a record.”
$2.7 billion in workers’ earnings and $422 million in tax revenues. The RIAA says a person
can participate in illegal downloading in many ways, including downloading or uploading copyrighted files to
peer-to-peer file-sharing programs or purchasing an album and burning copies for friends.
A person who is caught illegaly downloading is subject to up to five years in jail and a $250,000 fine or a minimum fine of $750 per song in civil court. Many bands have felt the direct hit of illegal downloading. “We definitely have had to become more clever in how we get our income,” Walter said. “It’s still generally pretty hard, though. With the job market the way it is and the economy in the toilet, people are even less inclined to buy music and in turn are turning up to shows and buying T-shirts less.” Walter also said illegal downloading isn’t always a bad thing, because it allows music to be exposed to different people. “I think if you really love an album, you should go ahead and purchase it. There are also other ways to support [a band], like going to see a show, picking up a T-shirt, or any number of things. As long as you are contributing in
some way, I think it can be a positive thing,” he said The 2011 report from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry shows that from 2003 through 2010, “the combined sales of debut albums featuring in the global top 50 fell by 77 percent, from 47.7 million to 10.8 million.” The report does not state that this drop in sales is because of illegal downloading, but since 2003, many new illegal downloading sites have been created. Walter knows that the economy has caused many problems for him and other musicians, but he believes there is still hope. “They’ll come to the shows, buy the merchandise, and in return, you give them the best music, great online content and create a fun atmosphere for them to come and enjoy themselves,” Walter says. “In the end, the best music wins — if you are creating music that people want to hear, they’ll buy it, and you’ll be fine.”
Saturday, April 2, 2011
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THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
First Take Politics
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Fattah sees education investment as a key to future
The longtime Pa. congressman says it is part of Democrats’ plan to get the nation back on track. By Madeleine Walsh
perity. Unfortunately, both Presidents Clinton and ObaMany financial experts say ma were preceded by presithe nation’s economy is hur- dents who were less inclined. tling down the road to disas- The current budget situation, ter. President Obama has created by two unpaid wars said, “We are in the worst fi- and reckless tax cuts, is serinancial crisis since the Great ous. My ultimate goals reDepression.” main the same, and just as we However, Democratic Con- balanced the budget with gressman Chaka Fattah, of President Clinton, I'm confiPennsylvania’s Second Dis- dent that we will recover.” trict, says that Democrats Fattah has two goals for imhave a plan to put the econo- proving the national budget my on the path to recovery. and economy. “When I was first elected to “Number one, comprehenCongress, it was the middle sive tax overhaul and reducof President Clinton’s first tion of the national debt, perterm in office,” Fattah said haps built around the Debt via e-mail. “Then, like now, Free America Act that I will we saw bold leadership from be reintroducing in the cura President who was commit- rent Congress,” Fattah said. ted to growing the economy “Second, reauthorizing the Eland overseeing shared pros- ementary and Secondary EduLITTLE FLOWER HIGH SCHOOL
MICHAEL S. WIRTZ / Staff
Rep. Chaka Fattah: “Education
is the most important investment we can make in securing economic recovery.” cation Act which ensures all children have access to the resources necessary to prepare them for college and ca-
reer.” Fattah is the highest-ranking Democratic member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies. This subcommittee is responsible for appropriating nearly $70 billion for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, FBI, and NASA and other science agencies. “My primary concerns in funding decisions are the safety and security of the nation and its people, those investments in the future economic foundation of the country which yield the highest return on investment, and commitments to the most vulnerable in society, which is the moral test of government,” Fattah said. To Fattah, the most prudent investment in the nation’s growth and prosperity is the education of America’s youth.
As a leading advocate of school-funding equity, Fattah helped to propose and advance development of the Equity and Excellence Commission, tasked with collecting and analyzing data on inequitable school-finance systems and their effect on student achievement. Utilizing public input, the commission will make recommendations for restructuring school-finance systems and ideally increase educational opportunity and student performance. “This commission has the opportunity to address the most pernicious challenge facing American education: the provision of the least and lowest-quality resources to those in the most need,” Fattah said. “We have brought together a group of extraordinary individuals from across the national field of education
and related disciplines who will wrestle with difficult problems and provide a path forward to a more efficient, effective and fair system of school finance. Ultimately, it will be incumbent upon elected leaders to act on the recommendations, but the commission’s report will provide a shared vision and starting off point.” “The only way this country will see lasting growth, prosperity, and economic vitality is if our young people, all of them, are prepared to compete in the global economy,” he said. “Education is the most important investment we can make in securing the economic recovery.” The congressman’s advice for young people who are managing the appropriation of their own funds? “Invest in things that matter and think long-term.”
Delaware perspectives differ on recession, spending Some say increased investment is called for. Others think the budget should be cut. By Patrick Bingham SALESIANUM SCHOOL
How to fix the U.S. economy? Economists and experts can’t seem to agree, politicians definitely don’t see eye to eye, so then why should Delawareans be any different in their views of this pressing national problem? As President Obama and the newly elected Congress wrangle over the politics of how to get out of this quandry, one thing is clear: It took about 10 to 20 years to get into it and it will take us a while to get out. An expansion in credit, debt, and deregulation over a period of time were all contributing factors to the recession. Then came the housing crisis. For the most part, housing is the biggest investment most people will make in a
PATRICK BINGHAM / First Take Staff
We wouldn’t have deficits if we
Trimming waste and abuse in
lifetime. The country endured a bubble-and-burst cycle in housing, which was the single biggest cause of this crisis. Now many homeowners are “underwater” — owing more than their house is worth — and many more are unemployed. “I don’t think the recession is over,” said Sharon Thompson, a day care owner in Wil-
mington. “People still can’t find jobs, unions are being dismantled, and everything is just messed up.” Economists say the recession that started in 2007 ended 18 months ago. However, many people are still feeling the effects of it. Consumer spending is flat, economic growth is negligible, and the U.S. may slip into another recession because of rising oil
weren’t funding wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, says Sharon Thompson of Wilmington.
government bureaucracies is a good place to start, says Robert Lefton.
prices and recent geopolitical events in the Middle East and North Africa. Democrats in Washington want to revive the economy by investing more stimulus funds in creating green jobs, education and industries that will make the United States more energy independent. Republicans, on the other hand, are pushing for less government spending and want to lower taxes as an economic path forward. “President Obama has some very good ideas, but the Republicans are just too stubborn to listen,” said Patricia Stewart of Wilmington. Robert Lefton, 72, says of Obama: “Sometimes, I just think that this guy has no idea what he is doing. It is like he is just clueless in the White House,” when it comes to the economy. “Spending is only half of the problem,” Stewart said. “We wouldn’t have deficit spending if we weren’t spending trillions in Iraq and Afghanistan and giving tax cuts to the top 1 percent,” she add-
ed. “What we need to do raise taxes on the rich and give more tax breaks to middle class.” Behind Stewart’s logic is the belief that the rich will still be rich before and after tax cuts. Plus, she believes that working and middle class families will have to spend most to all of their income on necessities, so more tax breaks to the middle and working class will put more money to put into the economy. Lefton, a self-described conservative, sees it a little differently. “Spending is a very huge problem. We are $14 trillion dollars in debt and we have a one trillion dollar deficit — all this spending is getting ridiculous,” he said. “We have to trim waste and abuse — a good place to start is the Department of Education, it is just bloated bureaucracy.” George Horn, a teacher of business education at a Wilmington area high school, also agrees that runaway spending is a big problem. “The federal government
needs to reduce the deficit greatly, and they need to cut taxes on all levels,” he said. “The federal government needs to reduce the deficit greatly.” Horn also thinks the stimulus package passed early in the Obama administration was too focused on construction jobs, so it neglected the broader economy. He also thinks the Federal Reserve “needs to raise interest rates so that the US dollar will avoid inflation.” Horn believes the Obama administration needs to give more tax cuts akin to his 2 percent Social Security tax cut and payroll tax cut, “because when people see that small increase in their checks they won’t think twice about it and spend that extra $20 or $30.” On businesses, Horn says the federal government needs to allow them, “small or large to fail. One, the government needs to stop spending so much money; and, two, a recession weeds out weak industries and companies.”
Economic recovery is slow — but sure ECONOMIST from F1 seem unsure about possible majors. Should their career path be more practical or should students pursue their passions? Kline believes that students “should pick something that is of interest and in which they can find success.” She said the economy has made it extremely difficult for students applying to colleges and universities. Scholarships and financial aid are scarce; however, Kline feels that more schools will increase financial support to students in the coming years. When asked if she had any tips for students applying for financial aid, Kline replied that she felt the best advice is to be creative and “keep an eye out for anything and everything, whether it is through your high school or the college you are applying to or just a general community-based scholarship.” Kline said endowment funds of many institutions have experienced financial difficulty. “Everyone has struggled, but soon they will start to offer students more.” According to Kline, students applying in the next three years should have an easier time securing aid than those who applied during the last few years. Kline said the biggest question for the economy has been jobs. Why is the unemployment rate so high? When will companies and firms begin hiring again? Kline emphasized that a high unemployment rate is not necessarily an exact representation of the economic situation. “People are getting discouraged. If they can’t find a job, why keep looking,” she said. Kline believes the job market will turn around within the next five years. It will not
DAVID SWANSON / Staff Photographer
Sara Kline had some encouraging news for students: “The nation has been dealt a huge economic blow, but there are signs of hope for the younger generation.” happen this year or next, because those who are currently employed are putting in more hours and working harder to make sure they keep their jobs. The downturn in the economy has created uncertainty for both workers and employers. Companies are hesitant to hire more people when they are able to get so much productivity out of their current employees. But by choosing not to hire more workers, corporations are not boosting confidence in American households, so Americans are spending less, which, consequently, creates less demand for goods and services. As a final bit of advice Kline says: “It is incredibly important that younger generations be aware of the world around them, how it operates and where it might be going.” So, OK, don’t look now. But take a look a few years from now when workshop participants will be college-educated and taking their place in the working world, where they hope to find a dynamic Students (from left) Alexandra Iacovetti, Eric Jackman, Kyle Miller and Ana Guenther listen to guest speaker Sara Kline during the and resurgent economy. opening session. Kline told a young audience to focus on college in the next few years while the economy recovers.
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Saturday, April 2, 2011
THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
First Take Sports
STEVEN M. FALK / Staff Photographer
YONG KIM / Staff Photographer
The Phillies starting rotation (from left) of Roy Halladay, Joe Blanton, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt, and Cole Hamels will likely keep fans coming to Citizens Bank Park in droves in 2011, just as they have ever since the Phils won the National League East in 2007.
After the 76ers traded Allen Iverson in 2006, they saw their
attendance drop. Despite their winning record this season, the Sixers are last in the NBA in percentage of seats sold.
Winning a great recession vaccine Despite the economy, the Phils attendance has climbed. The 76ers have not been as lucky.
et window. As a result, they have ranked no better than 22d in the NBA in total attendance for the past four seasons, and they are currently dead last in the percentage of seats that are sold per game. By Tim Gilbert The Phillies’ recent run of ST JOSEPH’S PREPARATORY SCHOOL success began in 2007, when Without a doubt, the eco- they surged past the New nomic recession has had an York Mets in a late-season impact on professional run to win the National sports. League East, making the playEven in tough economic offs for the first time since times, rabid fans still find a 1993. way to stretch their entertain“The Phillies are the best ment dollars and root for team in the National League,” their home teams — unless said Ron Reco, 73, a retired their home teams aren’t win- print broker who lives in ning. Chestnut Hill and has been a The Phillies and 76ers have Phillies season-ticket holder had different experiences dur- since 1995. “Their ticket is ing the economic turmoil — the hottest item in baseball reaping the benefits and ru- right now.” ing the consequences, respecAdding to the allure of the tively. team is the fact that they Over the past three years, have assembled, at least on the Phillies have averaged paper, one of the best starting 43,911 fans per game. They’ve rotations in baseball for 2011. ranked among the top five Pitchers Roy Halladay, Cliff teams in baseball in both the Lee, Roy Oswalt, and Cole amount of tickets and the per- Hamels are worth the price of centage of tickets sold in admission any day, in any each of the past three sea- park. sons and have sold over 10 That’s one of the reasons million tickets during that Reco, a St. Louis Cardinals time. fan, keeps checking out the While the Phils have won a Phillies. In fact, Reco has also World Series, two NL pen- found a way to benefit from nants, four division titles, and his passion for the game. He 371 games the past four sea- purchases season tickets besons, the Sixers have strug- cause of their resale value gled. In the three seasons be- even in a tough economy. He fore this one, the Sixers have said he was able to sell two not finished above .500 once, World Series tickets in Secnor have they won a playoff tion 131 of Citizens Bank Park series. for about $1,700 in 2008. The results show at the tick“I’ll go to all of the Cardi-
Andre Igoudala
Chase Utley
Sixers vs. Phillies
In the last three years, the Phillies and Sixers have respectively dominated and faltered. Their attendance statistics prove the effects of winning, even in a downtrodden economy. 2010 2009 2008 14,224 15,802 14,870 (26th) (24th) (24th)
Average attendance
45,027 44,453 42,254 (2d) (3d) (5th)
70.0% (29th)
79.7% (24th)
72.7% (23d)
Pct. of seats sold
103.5% 102.2% 97.1% (1st) (1st) (4th)
27-55 .329
41-41 .500
40-42 .488
Record
2010
97-65 .599
2009
93-69 .574
2008
92-70 .568
SOURCE: ESPN; photos by CLEM MURRAY (Igoudala) and YONG KIM (Utley) MORGAN HARRIS / West Deptford High School
nals-Phillies games, and a few others, because I love baseball,” he said, “but I’ve started a personal business with selling the tickets. The team is so good that Philadelphia will always come out to see them, so I’ve been successful selling them.” Unfortunately, Philadelphia hasn’t always been coming out to see the Phillies’ basketball brethren play. The 76ers haven’t been anywhere near
as successful as the Phillies in the past few years, and fans have stayed away from the Wells Fargo Center as a result. Reco used to purchase Sixers season tickets, but stopped after their 2001 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals. “I just knew the Sixers wouldn’t be very competitive from that point on,” he said. In 2006, when the Sixers
traded Iverson, they lost a great deal of star power that they have yet to regain, hurting their overall brand. Anthony Iraci, 30, a teacher from Roxborough and avid Philadelphia sports fan, said: “I’d be going to more games if they had a big-name, franchise player. You really need that in the NBA these days. I wouldn’t call Elton Brand or Jrue Holiday household names.” On StubHub.com, the cheapest Sixers ticket for their March 1 game against the Dallas Mavericks was $9 and the most expensive was $160. Meanwhile, the cheapest ticket for the Phillies openingday game against the Houston Astros on April 1 is $69, and the most expensive is $315. Despite the economy’s struggles, the Phillies are so popular right now that they were able to raise ticket prices for the 2010 season by an average of $2 to $5. “There are three reasons why we have success selling tickets,” said John Weber, the Phillies’ vice president of sales and ticket operations. “First, the Philadelphia fans are fantastic. Second, Citizens Bank Park is beautiful, and it’s a place fans gravitate towards. Third, and I would say this has the highest percentage of the three reasons, is the product of the team and its sustained success.” Though the Sixers have not been as attractive, their fu-
ture isn’t grim. They've been playing very well since a 3-13 start under first-year head coach Doug Collins, and should reach the playoffs. As one of the youngest teams in the NBA, they could become a contender in the next couple of years. Lara Price, the Sixers’ senior vice president of business operations, is very optimistic about the Sixers’ future. “Our attendance continues to grow,” she said in an e-mail. “We’ve turned it around on the court pretty quickly. We have seen an increase in attendance, as well as TV ratings.” Though the Sixers have been competitive this year, it may require NBA dominance to bring out fans en masse in this economy. “You can’t give [Sixers tickets] away nowadays,” Reco said. Even some diehard Phillies fans are holding back, like Iraci. He used to be a Phillies season-ticket holder who purchased game plans with three other people, but because of the economic strain, he had to stop. “This economy makes you hold back on some things you’d normally do,” Iraci said. “The number one reason we had to stop buying tickets was definitely money.” “Winning and offering value to the consumer is ultimately what determines the attendance,” Price said.
Phillies fortunes, support, and payroll on the rise Success has put fans in the seats and money in the team’s coffers and players’ pockets. By Kyle Phillippi
AUDUBON HIGH SCHOOL
The Philadelphia Phillies have managed to become a newfound powerhouse in Major League Baseball despite the struggling economy. Because of their willingness to acquire top-notch players, the Phillies payroll has escalated to approximately $164.6 million, second only to the historically big-spending New York Yankees. The increasing payroll would suggest that the Phillies are digging deep in their pockets to allocate the funds for all of their contracted players. But in truth, the organization is offsetting their hefty payroll by bringing in a boatload of money from the fans. Between ticket sales, merchandise, and other amenities at Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies are claiming a king’s ransom — $239 million in revenue, according to Forbes.com. Ironically, even with ticket prices rising and with unemployment at high levels, the fans continue to support their team. “You can’t stop living because of a recession,” said Shani Berler, a 24-year old Clarion graduate student. John Weber, the Phillies’ vice president of sales and
said. That is in stark contract to the previous decade. The 1993 Phillies, who finished with 97 regular-season wins but lost to the Toronto Blue Jays in the World Series, were the only team in the ’90s to compile more than 78 wins. Since 2001, the Phillies have won at least 80 games each year and have two World Series appearances, which explains the recent outburst of fandom in Philadelphia. “For the last four years they put out an excellent product, which makes it worthwhile to invest money in tickets,” said Michael Tiedeken, a South Jersey teacher who invested in a 17-game plan for the 2011 season. The team’s two biggest investments, Ryan Howard and Roy Halladay, will earn a combined $40 million in each of the next three seasons. Between being able to earn a good sum of money and to play in front of a fan-friendly crowd at Citizens Bank Park, many players in the Phillies farm system are eagerly awaiting their chance to make it to the majors. “When I see the Philly fans, DAVID M WARREN / Staff Photographer fire just strikes my eyes. Hardly a rare sight to behold: Sellouts at Citizens Bank Park have become commonplace in this era of Phillies excellence. These people are so devoted Heading into the 2011 season, the team had sold out 123 straight regular-season games, and its payroll has escalated. and incredible. Being up at ticket operations, said the fan following, a single-game tick- son games heading into the “The energy in Citizens Citizens Bank Park and playsupport is unprecedented. et, which averages around 2011 season, the struggle to Bank Park is hard to describe ing in front of them would be “Our fan support continues to $59, is difficult to find. Within find tickets doesn’t appear to unless you are there. I was a dream come true,” said Tyson Gillies, a minor-league be amazing, and the demand hours of tickets going on sale be getting any easier. fortunate to be there in 2008 outfielder in the Phils organifor Phillies tickets is at an all- Feb. 18, nearly 70,000 individThe reason for the shower- when we won the World Se- zation. “The fans are so motitime high,” he said on the ual tickets were sold. With ing of support toward the Phil- ries, and every time I go vated to come to the games Phillies’ website. the Phillies having sold out lies is quite simple — win- there it is just another won- all the time and cheer their Because of the Phils’ rabid 123 consecutive regular-sea- ning. derful experience,” Berler team on.”
Saturday, April 2, 2011
THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
First Take Sports
A fan through thick, thin Despite economy, labor strife, Eagles die-hard won’t part with tickets. By Tyler Franceschini
HADDON HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL
Picture this: The aroma of turkey, stuffing, potatoes, and corn fills the room as a family sits down for their Thanksgiving meal. Everyone is dressed in their Sunday best, excited to enjoy each other’s company for, arguably, the best holiday of the year. They pull in their chairs, bow their heads to say grace, and commence their delicious homecooked meal. Then the father grabs the television remote to turn on … an Oprah re-run? Imagine a Thanksgiving Day without NFL football, due to the current lockout. Imagine an Eagles fan without his season ticket. Imagine Charles Kellogg, an Eagles season-ticket holder since 1992, without his season ticket. Like most, the recession hit Kellogg. As a data analyst for IHS Global Insight, jobs became scarce. “I used to have 12 people on my floor, now there are three,” said Kellogg of his workplace. Thirteen data analysts were let go, and Kellogg was told that he was going to be let go. The company has outsourced jobs to India due to the struggling economy, one of many companies to do so. Kellogg left his job at Haddon Heights High School as a volunteer soccer coach to become a paid coach at nearby Paul VI High School. “I took up coaching, so I could receive money,” Kellogg said. “I had to leave my job at [Haddon] Heights, so I could get paid.” Among the most drastic changes in his life was his change of residency. “I’m living with my mother,” Kellogg said. This move into his mother’s home was in preparation for a job loss which never occurred. How passionate of an Eagles fan is Kellogg? When asked if he ever contemplated giving up the tickets when hen thought he was going to lose his job, he said: “I thought about it, but I knew I was pretty good with the tickets.” Even on the verge of being unemployed, Kellogg refused to give up his season tickets to the Eagles. Not only will Eagles fans boo Santa Claus, throw snow balls at opposing coaches, and bleed green — they will move in with their mother to keep their season tickets. Of the 25 season-ticket holders in Kellogg’s group, four have dropped out in the last year. The economic decline has caused people to stop spending money on luxuries in order to pay bills, which is the case with Kellogg’s group of Eagles season-ticket holders. It appears almost sacrilegious, but, unfortunately, more season-ticket holders could give up their plans if the players and owners cannot settle on a new collective-bargaining agreement. “I expect it to be done by the [day of the NFL] draft,” Kellogg said of an agreement.
By David DiPasqua Jr.
MARPLE NEWTOWN HIGH SCHOOL
As Pennsylvania school districts grapple with shrinking budgets, administrators increasingly are imposing fees on students to pay for activities such as sports equipment or other extra-circular needs. “The activity fee is a sign of the economy. I wouldn’t be surprised if that percentage of schools with activity fees keeps growing,” said Ray McFall, principal of Marple Newtown High School in Delaware County. According to the Pennsylvania School Boards Association website, out of 167 public school respondents, 13 percent were charging students fees ranging between $5 and $50 for the opportunity to participate in interscholastic sports. Marple Newtown began charging students in the beginning of 2009. The fee established was $75 per child or a maximum of $150 per family. This fee covers every activity that student may participate in for that year. The budget is the main ingredient that makes everything work. Without maintaining the budget, activities may be lost. For Marple Newtown, the price was intramural programs in both the middle and
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Trading bleacher seats for recliners Sports cable packages are taking the place of being a face in the crowd at the ballpark. By Brenden Peddigree
UPPER MORELAND HIGH SCHOOL
The days of taking the family out to the old ball game on a beautiful Sunday afternoon are slowly giving way to the days of being a couch potato — lounging in a recliner watching a sporting event on a 50-inch LED TV in the comfort of your homebuilt studio. Today’s troubled economy is upping the stakes in the battle between sports-event marketers and cable providers for eyeballs and the entertainment dollar. “We’re not only competing for people’s time and money, but we’re trying to keep the fans in the stadium on game day as opposed to watching on TV,” said Steve LaCroix, vice president of sales and marketing for the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings in an interview with CNN. Sports cable packages are taking the place of actually being a face in the crowd at the ballpark or arena. A world with every NFL game every week on cable, or on satellite TV every sporting event known to man, is paradise for couch potatoes. A sports fan can pick and choose what channels he wants and what he wants to watch to fit his interests. When asked about buying a cable package as opposed to attending a game, football fan Garrett Baker says that it has “more to do with the price of [tickets].” And at $74.99 for the average NFL ticket last YONG KIM / Staff Photographer season (a 3.9 percent inEagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson in action, a scene Charles Kellogg, a Birds season-ticket holder since 1992, hopes crease to see in the fall of 2011. Even on the verge of being unemployed, Kellogg refused to give up his season tickets. from the As NFL When asked whether or not the previous With a lockout in place, the NFL labor dispute was the addition of dispute has now entered the legal are- George Cohen as a mediator between talks between both sides has affected year), he ticket na, where it could take weeks or even the two sides. Cohen is the director of his opinion of the NFL, Kellogg said: has a point. sales Federal Mediation and Conciliation “Not personally, it is what it is: A It is more months before any type of ruling. declined, On one side is the National Football and has decades of experience. Al- bunch of rich guys trying to get rich- affordable though the players and owners have er.” to pay for League Players Association (NFLPA). Comcast In an economy where everything is sports on On the other side are the National taken a big step in deciding to get a mediator, not having football during slowly working its way back to nor- cable than saw an Football League owners. the fall is certainly an option. mal, the National Football League con- to attend increase in Within the current deal, the owners The NFL’s gross revenue is an esti- tinues to increase at a rapid rate at what could receive $1 billion off the top of $9 mated $9 billion. Another statistic the same time the rest of country, like revenue. billion that the National Football that is around 9 — the unemployment Kellogg, is treading to stay above wa- be a $350 outing for a League makes in gross revenue, rate. As the unemployment rate hov- ter. family of four. Still, sports which is primarily from television ers around that percentage, the NFL Then again, that may be a reason franchises say they’re trying contracts. Then, the NFLPA is given remains one of the most successful for the NFL to negotiate quickly, so to give fans the best experi60 percent of the remaining estimat- enterprises in American history. football can be a definite entity for ence they possibly can so ed $8 billion, leaving the other 40 perIs the NFL being greedy or is it 2011, giving people a reason to keep fans will continue to attend cent for the owners to divvy up. simply a successful company that is treading — and keep their season tickgames. One of the newest aspects of the thriving in a capitalistic country? ets. “These fans need to feel as though they’re having a great time and they’re getting value for their money. If they’re able to do that, they will justify continuing to spend on the NFL, because every game In addition to fund-raisers, matters. They want to be part money comes from numerous of the continuity of the NFL sources. season,” David Carter, execu“We receive funding from tive director of the University private sources within the of Southern California Sports community and the school Business Institute, told CNN. board helps us with funding As NFL ticket sales deby prioritizing our needs,” Reardon, the athletic direc- clined by an estimated 2 percent in 2010, down to the lowtor, said. “The Central League wants est level since 1998, Comcast three referees per game in- saw a 6.9 percent increase in stead of two. The issue is pay- cable revenue. Comcast’s Digiing for that third official. tal Premier Package includes With the economy right now, NFL RedZone, which lets it doesn’t look like it’s going viewers see every touchdown to change any time soon,” around the league for $84.99 boys’ basketball coach Jerry per month for 12 months, Doemling Jr. said. along with the rest of the A third official brings need- sports-entertainment packed benefits to the game, in- age and basic cable. cluding protecting the playCompared with $75 per ers. Having six eyes on the game, four games per month, court is better than four. Having an additional referee in a NFL RedZone is a bargain for critical game may help with fans willing to to sit at home calls vital in the outcome of and get the experience instead of attending the game. the game. “The economy definitely afCable companies are introfects the off-season program ducing new technologies such we have. We don’t want to as 3D sports and high definiDAVID DiPASQUA JR. / First Take Staff charge players too much for tion channels to get sports enspring and summer leagues. thusiasts to watch games at Marple Newtown charges an activity fee of $75 per child or a maximum of $150 per family. It’s hard to find sponsors to home. Comcast now offers a high schools, McFall said. the economy,” McFall added. provides all the funding for cover the off-season,” Doem- package called XfinityTV OnA key question concerning If a student has a hardship the sports. The economy ling said. line, which offers over the activity fee is where does regarding the activity fee, hasn’t really affected us.” Teams are looking for ways 150,000 video choices, includthe money go? that student may fill out an Due to cuts in the budget, to cut down on participation ing sports and other premium “The activity fee is money application to waive the fee. many boosters are coming up in offseason leagues mean channels on computers at no that goes back into the gener- That application is then re- with ideas to raise money for added costs. extra charge. al funding. … It helps to stop viewed by the superintendent their teams. “We have to be more care“At $2 a day,” said Comcast eliminating teams,” athletic and a decision to waive the The Marple Newtown girls’ ful budgeting and have cheapdirector Dennis Reardon fee or not will be made. basketball team sponsored er camps and leagues. The spokesman Jeff Alexander said. So far, parochial schools fund-raisers, such as car weekend camp at St. Joseph’s “cable is roughly the price of “Sports are a part of the aren’t feeling the money washes as well as selling ads, University is $575 just for a a cup of coffee and signifihigh school experience, but pinch, according to Archbish- earning enough money to weekend camp. Many other cantly less expensive than takwe are forced to make some op Carroll athletic director play in a tournament in Flori- camps around range from ing a family to the movies or tough decisions because of Fran Murphy. “The school da. $200 to $300,” Doemling said. a sporting event.”
Shrinking budgets mean activity fees, fund-raisers
Some Pennsylvania school districts now charge to keep their sports programs going.
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THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
Saturday, April 2, 2011
First Take Religion
Tough economy hits houses of worship By Belinda Abdus-Samad
furloughs — which are in effect unpaid vacations — or work fewer hours per week, The adverse effect of a and cutting back on other exdown economy has now hit penses. There aren’t many adyour pew at your house of ditional revenue-raising opworship. In these tough eco- tions available to them.” nomic times, churches, According to a recent study mosques, and synagogues, by the Barna Research like many corporations and Group, which studies issues organizations, face a conun- affecting churches and condrum: These places of wor- gregations, most churches inship are being called on more dicated that their financial rethan ever to help those in sources were negatively afneed, yet they are receiving fected by the economy, resultless from supporters. ing in a moderate decline in Churches have always been those congregations. pillars in the community and The study found that the as such see it as their divine number of churchgoers who duty to meet the spiritual and had cut back on their giving human needs of the faithful. jumped from 20 percent to 29 With unemployment around 9 percent in about a threepercent, unemployed worship- month period. The number of ers are unable to give as adults who reduced giving to much as they did during good nonprofits in general jumped economic times. from 31 percent to 48 percent Churches and parishioners in that same time period. alike are feeling the pinch. “Catholic churches, as all “My family is giving less, I churches, have been impacthave three hungry little chil- ed in two ways. The most obdren and a car payment to vious one is through parishiomeet,” said parishioner ner giving. When there is a Daphne Baker. “People are recession and parishioners eitithing less, they’re not cut- ther see their pay cut or lose ting programs, just funding their jobs altogether, they natless, and the musicians who urally need to rethink their once got paid aren’t any- contributions,” Zech said. more.” “Along with that, the reces“Most Catholic parishes, sion has caused the stock marlike other faith-based organi- ket to go down, so parish revezations, are reluctant to lay nues from investment have off workers,” said Villanova decreased. Fortunately, few economics professor Charles parishes rely heavily on inZech. “They cope by not re- vestment income, so this placing parish staff who have hasn’t been as severe.”Deleft, asking workers to take spite the economic struggles, TRUEBRIGHT SCIENCE ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL
RON CORTES / Staff Photographer
PPL Park, home of Major League Soccer’s Union, has added to the scenery and rebirth of Chester.
Chester scores, economically, with new soccer team.
Union provide a boost as city stages comeback By Phil Bergman
STRATH HAVEN HIGH SCHOOL
Last year, motorists who travel the Commodore Barry Bridge were treated to the sight of a new landmark springing up on the banks of the Delaware River in Chester: PPL Park, the new 18,000-seat stadium that is home to the Union, an expansion team of Major League Soccer. City and regional officials said the new stadium would usher in a new day for Chester. The stadium was seen as a possible catalyst for economic growth in a city deep in the thralls of a sagging economy. In their second full season, YONG KIM / Staff Photographer the Union, coached by Peter The Union’s fans have turned out to support the MLS team. The Nowak and led by star striker stadium and a new casino have provided immediate benefits. Sebastien Le Toux, are a hit with fans, selling out most of back on Sunday to New the profits. their home games. They went York.” Of the four vendors, one is 8-15-7 in their inaugural seaIn its inaugural season, the from Chester, and PPL Park son and are expected to con- Union averaged 19,254 fans currently also has at least two tend for one of 10 playoff per game, including the two full-time employees from the berths in the 18-team MLS. regular season games at Lin- city. Chester also benefits ecoBut, more important, the coln Financial Field. This av- nomically from the stadium team’s presence, along with erage attendance is over workers. Every employee of that of a new casino, appears 5,000 more than the 76ers are PPL Park pays an earned-into be helping lift Chester out averaging this season, and come tax to the city, and this of the economic doldrums. just 400 less than the Flyers, earned-income tax is the high“There’s no question that at the 19,537-seat Wells Fargo est grossing revenue stream the overall impact has been Center. Both the Wells Fargo from the Union to Chester. very positive,” said David Sci- Center and PPL Park are simiAs the Union have helped occhetti, executive director of lar in capacity. the city with jobs, they have the Chester Economic DevelThe Union sold out three helped out the community at opment Authority. “Chester games last season, and sold large as well. In September has been successful in demon- out all of 12,000 the season 2009, the Union lent their strating that the city has the tickets. With ticket prices as vice president of soccer develcapability of being an event low as $25, the team is expect- opment, Rob Smith Jr., to the [and tourist] destination for ing the turnout to be even Chester Upland School Dispeople from all over the Phila- greater in 2011. trict, with the intent of bringdelphia region.” With all of these fans com- ing the game back to the midIn a new project called the ing to the game, local church- dle school and high school levWaterfront Development es have been benefiting from els at no cost to the district. Project, the once booming the Union’s presence, openBefore Smith arrived, Chescity of Chester is hoping to ing up their lots for parking. ter High was the only PIAA revitalize itself by developing One of these churches, the AAAA high school without a the 90-acre area of land that Cavalry Baptist Church, soccer team. Smith believes was once owned by Peco famed as the Rev. Dr. Martin that bringing soccer back to (now Exelon Corporation). Luther King Jr.’s first church, the community has been a Included in the Chester wa- is on Second Street, just a success so far. terfront area is Harrah’s Ches- short walk away from the sta“Soccer gives the youths a ter, a casino and racetrack lo- dium. fun activity to do in a safe cated only seven Calvary Bap- environment once the school minutes away tist’s current pas- day is over,” Smith said. BeThe Union and tor, the from PPL Park. Rev. Ba- sides helping out the Chester their spanking yard S. Taylor Jr., Upland School District, With between 3 and 4 million visisays the church Smith and the Union have new park tors a year, and provides “park- been supportive in creating appear to be ing for those who Chester City United, an intralegislation that sets aside a cergoing to the mural and travel soccer prolifting Chester are tain amount of its game and cannot gram for the young people of out of the profits for the seem to find park- Chester. city, Harrah’s ing, at a [cheapIn September 2010, with the economic brings more moner] price than help of current Chivas USA doldrums. ey to the municiPPL Park. forward and former Union pal coffers than For m o s t player, Alejandro Moreno, the Union. games, the church fills up at Chester City United was Chester needs all the eco- least half of their lot, and for awarded the $50,000 Pepsi Renomic help it can get. some games they sell out fresh Grant, a grant that will According to the 2006 their entire lot. The church help create a full-sized natuAmerican Community Sur- donates the money it makes ral grass soccer field in Chesvey from the United States from the lot to charities and ter. Although there are many Census Bureau, 15.6 percent other organizations in Ches- legislative steps that need to of Chester residents are un- ter. take place before the field employed and only 53.4 perOn game day, there are will be built in Chester, Smith cent of residents are in the around 600 positions avail- believes that, once built, the labor force, compared to able from the companies that field will greatly benefit the 63.0 percent in the entire help run PPL Park; Global local community. state of Pennsylvania. The Spectrum, Central Parking, Through all of their efforts, median household income of Ovations Food Services, Con- from creating jobs to bringing Chester is $24,978, com- temporary Services Corp. publicity to the city to buildpared to the state average of (CSC), Crozer-Keystone ing a place for children to $49,737, and 36.1 percent of Health System, and APEX Se- play, the Union have done a all residents incomes are be- curity. Aimee Cicero, the great job at trying to revitallow the poverty level, while Union’s communications man- ize the economy of Chester, only 12.1 percent are below ager, said that the team is according to Sciocchetti. the poverty line in the rest working hard to employ as “The fact that we have beof the state. many Chester residents as tween 15,000 to 18,000 people Sciocchetti is hoping that possible. down at the waterfront is good the waterfront area will beOf the 292 Global Spectrum marketing for the city, and it come a tourist attraction for employees, 166 live in Ches- will pay great dividends over those outside of the Philadel- ter, while 95 of the 300 Ova- time,” he said. “If you’ve phia region, as well. “If you’re tions Food Service employees watched one of the games on a New York Red Bulls fan, live in in the city. The Union TV when the game is in Chesyou could go the Harrah’s Fri- also have a non-for-profit pro- ter, they start the game by sayday night, go to the game Sat- gram in which people can run ing, ‘Welcome to the beautiful urday, spend some [more] their own vending booths in waterfront here in the city of time at Harrah’s, and head the stadium plaza, and keep Chester.’ ”
some churchgoers still feel obligated to give a portion of their earnings as taught in their religion, whether it be the full 10 percent or less. “I’m giving the same, it’s important to give your 10 percent no matter the economy,” said Lurena Jackson of Gates of Heaven Pentecostal Church. Muslims also give obligatory Zakat, which is similar to the tithe. “I’m giving just as much, as Muslims we are responsible to give 2.5 percent,” said Khalil Brown of the Islamic Family center in East Oak Lane. “You can tell it [the economy] affects the people because the people are struggling,” Brown said. ”You have to do things to get things done. People are making more sacrifices to meet the money needs, we sell dinners and cakes on Friday, there are also different projects for maintenance that we ask for money.” With the fall of the economy the demand for need has gone up. “Our food bank ministry is working harder with regard to providing for needy families,” said Carrie Hawkins of North Baptist Church Food Bank Ministry. In tough economic times, parishioners and houses of worship alike lean on each other even more. They say this is not the time give up on each other.
BELINDA ABDUS-SAMAD / First Take Staff
Unemployed worshipers are unable to give as much as they did during good economic times.
Family to Family helps parishioners in need Joanne Montie, herself a beneficiary of the program, is giving back to her community. By Joseph Phelan
MONSIGNOR BONNER HIGH SCHOOL
Joanne Montie says she is not the kind of person who asks for help. When a friend told her that the congregation at St. Dorothy’s Roman Catholic Church in Drexel Hill would pray for her before surgery, she realized it gave her the support and comfort she needed to get through a trying time. Years after the surgery, a simple phone call changed her life. Now Montie is giving the support and comfort to others in the parish facing similar circumstances. Montie is the head of the Family to Family ministry in which she touches lives in her community during tough economic times through her giving and generosity. On the other end of the line during a recent phone call was Rev. Michael D. Murphy, the pastor of St. Dorothy’s, who asked for Montie’s services in assisting a family dealing with a crisis. Montie was to provide meals for the family in need. “When the economy took a plunge, the ministry grew,”
Montie said. “The mission is to support families in times of serious illness or crisis, providing both practical and spiritual support.” She said Family to Family helps to buy groceries, gifts around Christmas and Easter, and also gifts cards to families who have been going through tough times. Each Christmas and Easter, in the back of the church, one can find Christmas trees or Easter baskets. The Christmas trees have paper with a Christmas gift idea, and the Easter baskets hold Easter eggs, which have a gift card idea for a local restaurant or store. The parishioners then take an ornament or an egg, go out and purchase the items, and return it to the church. Along with the Christmas “giving tree” and the Easter egg donations, the Family to Family ministry benefits from private donations, a charity account at the church, and an annual beef and beer, which took place on Feb. 26. The spiritual support, the most important part of the program, consists of the rosary being said with the intentions of all those afflicted by financial burdens, death in the family, or a serious crisis. Prayer is the essential idea of the Catholic Church, and also of the program Montie helped to establish.
Montie is amazed by how much the program has grown, and about how blessed she feels to be a part of it. “I feel blessed to be a part of St. Dorothy’s, and to have Father Murphy be so in tune with his people he is called to shepherd,” Montie said. “He is so compassionate to the people’s needs. No matter if they attend mass or not, he is willing to help out anyone in need,” she said. “This goes to show how wonderful a guy Father Murphy is. He is able to place the needs of others in front of his own, and he is also in nonjudgmental with whomever he is helping,” Montie added. Montie, a mother of three and an active member of the church, said the generosity of parishioners is simply astonishing. “People give back to this ministry after the ministry had helped them get back on their feet,” she pointed out. Montie realizes the importance of Family to Family, and she’s happy to see how the ministry has transformed lives. The recession has affected the lives of St. Dorothy’s parishioners. Some lost their jobs, some their homes and in general, many more lives in the Township Line parish were altered. But in the words of Montie: “Hey, you’re not alone, the parish is with you.”
Saturday, April 2, 2011
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THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
First Take Economy
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U.S. has risen from economic ashes before Americans have pulled through tough times, but what lessons have we learned as a result? By Alexandra Iacovetti METHACTON HIGH SCHOOL
Historically, economic recessions such as the Great Depression, the Oil Crisis of the 1970s, and our current recession were brought on by many factors, but all served as a much-needed reality check on the American need to overindulge. One of the main causes of the Great Depression was factory overproducAnalysis tion. The high demand for cars and entertainment outlets such as radios and movies created a “great glut” out of American industry. More demand led to more innovation, and soon enough, more cost and time effective labor-saving machines replaced American workers, and increased unemployment. The seemingly steady rise in stock prices during Herbert Hoover’s presidency crashed abruptly on Oct. 27, 1929. The British, who had raised interest rates in hopes of bringing back investments that had traveled overseas in order to reap in the benefits of industrious America, contributed to the crash on Black Tuesday. The increase in rates issued uncertainty in the market, thus creating a mad international and domestic 16,410,030 stock selling spree. Under President Hoover, situations did not improve. More than five thousand banks went under during the first three years of the Depression. Eleven million Americans were unemployed at the end of his presidency. Harlem was hit especially hard with 50 percent of its inhabitants unemployed. Suicide rates increased from 14 to 17 in 100,000. With the inauguration of
more conservative with fuel usage by lowering thermostat temperatures. These efforts, along with federally issued speed limits, helped to decrease the total U.S. fuel consumption by 20 percent. The federal government also gave tax incentives to anyone who made advancements in alternative energy sources or to anyone who used alternative energy. After the Corporate Average Fuel Economy level was raised to 27.5 miles per gallon, many Americans started to buy their cars from Japan. U.S. automotive companies had to change their products in order to comply with the new standards and compete with foreign car manufacturers. Some changes spurred by the oil crisis and recession were Daylight Saving Time, which initially began in order to save on electricity, speed limits, fuel economy stickers, more efficient appliances, and electric heat that replaced oil heat. President Richard Nixon also started the Strategic Petroleum Reserve as a safeguard against oil shortages in the future. Currently, the SPR can contain up to 727 million barrels of oil, which provides roughly 35 days of oil based off of the U.S. daily consumption level of around 21 barrels a day. The Department of Energy, created under the Carter administration, maintains the SPR.
pay their mortgages. Home foreclosures hurt mortgagebacked security, which in turn resulted in huge losses for domestic and foreign investors in the mortgagebacked security pool. What resulted was the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression: major businesses collapsed, banks and corporations were bailed out by the national government, stock prices plummeted, credit froze, millions of jobs lost, and spending decreased. During 2008 and 2009, the federal government under the Obama administration implemented two stimulus packages that collectively totaled almost $1 trillion dollars. To improve credit, over $2.5 trillion of national government and private debt was purchased by central banks around the world, which beAssociated Press, file photograph came the largest monetary The unemployed line up in sub-zero weather at a city relief kitchen set up in New York on Jan. 30, policy motive in history. 1934, during the Great Depression. Eleven million Americans were unemployed at one point. Some worry that banks that used money in foreign investFranklin D. Roosevelt and his ments may create currency isNew Deal plan, a new hope sues with other countries in ignited the masses. His liberal the future. ideas that focused relief, reAlthough experts believe covery, and reform helped to the recession ended in 2009, create the Works Progress Adrecovery is a slow process ministration that put millions and solutions are still in their of Americans back to work. Soearly stages in Congress. For cial Security also started as a the future, the main objecresult of the Depression. tives are increasing Federal Through the efforts of FDR Reserve authority in order to and his successor, the depresdeal with similar situations in sion ended in 1939. Some prothe future; reforming capitol grams instituted because of requirements; instituting the New Deal are still in use more regulation on financial today, such as the Federal DeThe housing bubble institutions like investment posit Insurance Corp., the The most recent recession banks, monetary market Federal Housing Administrawas mostly caused by the funds, and hedge funds; plaction, and the Securities and subprime mortgage crisis in ing more regulation on derivaExchange Commission. the U.S. that led to the col- tives; and dealing with conThe 1970s oil crisis Associated Press, file photograph lapse of mortgage-backed se- sumer protection. History continues to repeat Unlike the Great Depres- In 1973, Leon Mill spray painted a sign outside his gas station in curity and then the near-bankruptcy of many major corpo- itself, as proven by the reocsion that was caused by ex- Perkasie, Pa., to let customers know he was out of fuel. rations in late 2007. curring results of Americans cess American goods, the oil Following home real estate wanting too much and or crisis of the 1970s was due to States. That, along with the fuel more conscientiously the United States’ huge depen- increase in deficit spending and thinking about alterna- prices that reached their spending too much. However, peak in 2006, many homeown- the recession of 2007, the oil for the Vietnam War, contrib- tive energies. dence on foreign oil. Many large companies start- ers who had borrowed from crisis and recession of the The OPEC oil embargo on uted to the stock market ed to use coal again, while mortgage-backed security 1970s, and the Great DepresIsrael and any of its support- crash of 1973. The oil crisis and the reces- local gas stations willingly companies and bought homes sion have been wake-up calls ing countries during the Yom Kippur War created a huge sion of the 1970s forced the closed on Sundays. At home, with adjustable-rate mortgag- to our greed and overindulfuel shortage in the United United States to start using many Americans became es found that they could not gence.
A lifetime of lessons learned in Great Depression
DEPRESSION from F1 current 8.9 percent. Patients were less likely to be able to pay for medical treatment, some even choosing to go without since they had no money. Oestreich had seen a drawer full of unpaid bills in her father’s desk, but he never went after people for money; he instead, “took what he got.” In 1930, nearly 2.25 million children worked to help support their families, and Marie Oestreich’s brothers also had to play a part to keep their household above water. Her brother Bernard played piano for silent films, his earnings went immediately into the family fund. Other brothers went hunting, sometimes for fun, but also to provide meat for meals. They started with rabbit hunting and later moved on to waterfowl and pheasants. After the market crashed, according to Oestreich, “suddenly, there was no spending money.” They bought very little, only buying things that would have long-term use. Her clothes were not new, but resized from her mother’s old clothes. Instead, Oestreich says, “We did a lot of windowshopping.” As students of a Catholic school, Oestreich and her peers had to wear uniforms, which made it difficult to tell if one person was in a worse financial situation than another. “I remember at least four of [my brother Richard’s] friends had to leave to attend less expensive high schools,” Oestreich recollects. She can also remember a friend of hers who married right out of high school. She could not afford anything but the essentials. “I visited and was appalled at the living conditions,” Oestreich says, “bare walls, the kids had no toys.” Marie Oestreich is a small woman who loves telling stories about her family and her dogs, Butch and Fritz. Her house, in Northeast Philadelphia, holds a multitude of knickknacks and seemingly random items — a habit acquired by living
The Oestreich family (Marie is third from the right) in a family portrait taken in front of the family home in North Philadelphia. Marie, now 95, is one of seven children.
Courtesy of Marie Oestreich
Marie Oestreich poses in her brother’s military hat and uniform coat during World War II. She still lives in Northeast Phila. through the Great Depression. Antique furniture covered with blankets is intermingled with memorabilia accumulated from her family. Displayed proudly on a wall in her kitchen is her father’s medical school diploma. Oestreich likes holding onto items to get their full use out of them, rather than wasting them by throwing them away.
Although her family did not suffer in the way that most did during the Great Depression, the result was the same. Even after the Depression was over, Marie Oestreich and her family continued their penny-pinching habits. Oestreich says, “I still try to not buy anything unnecessarily. I still save whenever I can.”
The Oestreich family home, in an undated
photograph. During the Great Depression, her father, a doctor, treated patients for whatever they could pay. She and her siblings found jobs, and sometimes lived by hunting game.
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THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
First Take Class of 2011
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Belinda Abdus-Samad
Phil Bergman
Patrick Bingham
Anne Brewer
Chelsea Burns
John Cafasso
I am a senior at Truebright Science Academy Charter School in North Philadelphia. I will be attending Penn State Abington in the fall and taking up a major in corporate communications. I’ve always had interests in writing, drawing, and photography and always take opportunities to enhance my skills. I love to travel and when I was a freshman in high school, I was given the opportunity to travel abroad to Europe and visit Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and France. I will be traveling to the Bahamas this summer. I am very interested in different cultures, I am currently learning to speak and read Arabic, and I am an avid student of Chinese and Japanese culture. My ultimate dream is to travel to Japan.
I am a junior at Strath Haven in Wallingford, Pa. I play the tuba in numerous bands and orchestras, and this year qualified for the PMEA District and Region bands. I also play on the varsity lacrosse team, write for my school paper, and am the student representative to my district’s school board. I am an avid supporter of Philly sports teams, and my passion is following baseball, hockey, college football, and the NFL draft. I aspire to be a sports broadcast journalist, and my dream job is to be the Phillies and Flyers beat reporter for Comcast Sportsnet Philadelphia.
My name is Patrick Bingham and I am a junior who is currently attending Salesianum School in Wilmington. I am interested in baseball, economics, politics, and journalism. When I was younger, I didn’t like writing. I hated the whole writing process, I hated doing research, and I hated brainstorming for story ideas. That all changed when I first wrote for my school’s newspaper. I had the opportunity to write an article about President Obama’s health-care reform bill. When my article was published, I realized that there was no greater feeling than having the satisfaction of seeing my work in print. I would like to pursue a career in finances — not journalism — but I believe it is still beneficial to learn how to write well.
The first short story I wrote was in fourth grade, nine pages long and absolutely absurd. My teacher loved it though, and since then, I’ve had a passion for the craft. My dream job is, has always been, to one day become a published novelist. But, I’m still constantly working to develop my writing style and delving into other literary fields, such as journalism and screenwriting. Now a sophomore at Our Lady of Mercy Academy, I’m currently helping put together a revamped Village Voice, the school’s newspaper. I am the cofounder of the book and debate club, a basketball player, and the president of the sophomore class student council. My school life is hectic, but I’m taking it all in stride. With the Acel Moore Career Development Workshop, I’m opening myself up to an entirely different, amazing experience.
I’m 17 years old. I live in New Jersey. I love to sing, dance, hang out with friends and I love talking on the phone with my nephew, Noah. My family is important to me. I love being part of the Acel Moore Program. It has taught me a lot and the people here are great. Ever since I was 5 years old, I wanted to become a journalist and participating in this program is taking me one step forward to achieving my dreams.
I’m an 18-year-old senior at West Deptford High School who plays hockey and lacrosse. In the fall of next year, I will begin classes at Rutgers University. I was once a TV salesman at Sixth Avenue Electronics City in Deptford. You can most likely find me hanging out with friends, on Xbox, watching movies at home, working, or watching ESPN. I dislike waking up early, cold weather, and rush-hour traffic. My favorite artists are Cassidy, Biggie Smalls, and my hometown friends, Ray Millz and Classic D. I plan on becoming a sports journalist or a history teacher.
Julia Casciato
Meghan Coyle
David DiPasqua Jr.
Tyler Franceschini
Tim Gilbert
Ana Guenther
I am an 18-year-old senior at Kingsway Regional High School in Woolwich Township, Gloucester County. I’ve been on my school’s yearbook staff for three years. This year, I took on the new challenge, becoming one of the editors-in-chief. Writing has always been a passion of mine, both in and out of the classroom. It allows me to express myself whether in the form of poetry or a narrative. I hope to pursue writing as a career. In addition to writing, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends whenever I get the chance. They have always been there for me and they have been supportive of my writing. Next year, I plan on attending either Drexel University or the College of New Jersey to pursue a degree in English.
I am 17 years old and a junior at Triton Regional High School. Writing has been a major part of my life since I was in elementary school, and I have always wanted to pursue a career in journalism. I was given the opportunity to take a journalism class in school this year, and it opened my eyes to the world of writing. I love to travel, which first sparked my interest in journalism. The Acel Moore program has helped me learn a lot about the field of journalism, and will be the first milestone in what I hope will be a successful career in writing.
I’m currently a senior at Marple Newtown High School. I am the editor-inchief of our school newspaper, the MarNews. I have written for the local newspaper, the County Press in Delaware County for three years. I also wrote for the Marple Newtown football website. I enjoy sports and writing about sporting events. I have played three years of basketball and also participated for one year of football. I’m currently an officer in the National Honor Society. I’m considering James Madison, Rutgers, and Temple University. I will be majoring in communications.
I am a senior at Haddon Heights High School in Camden County. My basic interests include spending time with my best friends, my loving family, and girlfriend, Lauren. I also have a passion for athletics both playing and watching. My favorite sports are soccer, basketball, and football. I’m excited about the future due to the fact that I will be attending North Carolina-Wilmington next year and planning on double majoring in history education and journalism. I hope to become either a history teacher or a sports reporter. Both would be dreams come true because I enjoy both subjects so much.
I’m Tim Gilbert, a senior at St. Joseph's Prep. I write for my school’s newspaper, the Crimson and Grey, and had four articles in the paper my high school journalism class produced, the Nose. I aspire to be a baseball writer. I’ve been obsessed with baseball since I was old enough to understand what is a batting average. The best moment of my life was being in the stands for Roy Halladay’s no-hitter in a National League division series playoff game last year. To become a better writer, I read the Inquirer sports section, articles on Fangraphs.com, and articles and blog entries by ESPN’s Jayson Stark, my favorite writer. I plan on attending either Penn State or Syracuse next year and majoring in journalism.
I am an 18-year-old senior at Sun Valley High School. After graduation, I hope to attend either Shippensburg University or Temple for journalism and media studies. For all three of my completed years, I have run for the Sun Valley tack team and have also played Ultimate Frisbee. In my free time, I love to watch the Flyers and follow other teams around the NHL as well. Outside of school, I have worked at Rita’s Water Ice in Aston for two seasons now and plan on continuing with a third. After graduating from college, I would love to move to New York, and, hopefully take a job in fashion to write for Vogue or Harper’s Bazaar.
C. Luke Harrington
Morgan Harris
Tori Hyndman
Alexandra Iacovetti
Eric Jackman
Aaya Kingsbury
My name is Luke Harrington, I am 17 years old, and I am currently a junior at Strath Haven High School in Wallingford, Pa. I applied to the Acel Moore Program as a way to improve my writing skills, and learn from experienced reporters at The Inquirer. I have had decent exposure to multimedia journalism (video/audio) through programs at WHYY, but not much newswriting experience.
I am an 18-year-old senior at West Deptford High School. In my spare time, as little as it is, I enjoy relaxing with episodes of Friends or Dawson’s Creek, or spending time with my family and friends. As a three-season athlete with a job, and grades to worry about, it’s hard to find time to do the things I love. But, one of my best attributes is my ability to manage time efficiently. I am involved in my school’s DECA chapter, a member of the National Honor Society, and a televised morning announcer. This year, I had the privilege of being Senior Section Editor of our yearbook, and representing my school on the homecoming court. My interest in communications varies among writing, broadcast journalism, and graphic design. Thanks to my lacrosse scholarship, I will be walking the Kutztown University campus in the fall, laptop in hand, as an Electronic Media major with a hope to minor in Graphic Design.
I’m Tori, 18, and a senior at Neshaminy High School in Langhorne, Pa. There, I spend the majority of my time writing and editing articles not only for my school’s newspaper, the Playwickian, but also for the Bucks County Courier Times. When I am not busy with the newspaper or buried under piles of AP work, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, napping, dancing to Lady Gaga songs, and watching awful reality TV about cake or modeling. In this workshop, I am excited to learn first-hand what it takes to be a journalist and testing my writing and editing skills. Through this experience, I hope to come out with a better idea of what career path I want to pursue in my undergraduate studies. For now, I am looking to refine my writing skills and gain knowledge that will help me lead my school newspaper as editor-in-chief.
I am a senior at Methacton High School. My interest in journalism began after I joined my school newspaper, the Windy Hill, and it has grown steadily ever since. It’s not uncommon to find me at school as late as 8:30 p.m. working on the latest issue rather than going home and studying for my AP Statistics tests. Working on my school paper has exposed me to so many types of people, interests and topics, and as senior editor, I also have delved into various aspects of the newspaper business: writing, layout, copy editing, video filming and web promotion. What I love most about reporting is the idea that change is constant, which is a bit of a paradox, but coming into work knowing that there will always be something new to uncover is so exciting to me, and I hope I never lose that excitement for anything that I love.
My name is Eric Jackman and I am currently a senior at St. Joseph’s Prep. I’m 18 years old and I live in West Philadelphia. I like playing sports and hanging out with family and friends whenever I get the chance. I play rugby for my school and hope to continue playing in college. When I go to college, I plan to study broadcast journalism, with a minor in either education or psychology. I was drawn to journalism because it is an outlet that you can report what is going on in the world while adding your own style and flair. This gives you the chance to help shape public opinion on the important issues of the day.
I have always been interested in writing. When I started in high school, I immediately sought out organizations where I could explore writing. I am now in my third year on the staff of the school newspaper, the Centralizer. In addition to writing for the paper, I have been a staff editor for two years. For the last two years I have also contributed to the school’s cultural magazine, Mosaic. I was fortunate to be selected for the Acel Moore Career Development Program last year. I learned a lot about coming up with story ideas, interviewing subjects, developing the story, and being part of a team of reporters. It was an exciting and rewarding experience to say the least. This year, I hope to build on what I learned last year and to further improve my skills as a writer and a journalist.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
First Take Class of 2011
www.philly.com
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Hannah Landers
Corsair Layton
Kyle Miller
Christa Oestreich
Brenden Peddigree
Taylor Perkins
I’m an 18-year-old senior at Upper Moreland High School. I have two younger siblings, and a pet rat named Sonic, whom I love as if she were one of my siblings as well. This past year I edited my school newspaper, the Bear Print, and have contributed an article on occasion. I’m a member of the Key Club, a community service organization at school, and I’m a part of National Honor Society. After school, I spend my time working at Springhouse Estates, a retirement home, as a waitress in the dining room. When I’m not at school or work, I love to read, spend time with my friends, write, draw, listen to music, play tennis, take pictures, and watch movies. I plan to study journalism and communications in college, but have yet to decide on the school. I hope to build a strong career in journalism, doing what I love to do.
I am a senior at Springfield Township High School. I’m 17 years old and have a love for communications and plan to pursue this passion in college. I plan to attend IUP and major in communications and minor in sociology. My goal is to become a talent agent. I love the arts, music, acting, writing and drawing. I have a rap group with friends from my school and one of the members and I are actors ourselves and have been in several plays such as The Wizard of Oz, South Pacific, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and etc. I’m interested in Japanese culture and I love reading manga (Japanese comic books) and watching anime (Japanese cartoons). I can’t wait to finish high school and face the challenges of the real world.
I am a senior at Sun Valley High School in Aston, Pa. I will be attending Penn State University next year and plan to graduate with a degree in Sports Journalism. I play basketball, soccer, and tennis. I participated in my senior class variety show and am also a part of the National Honor Society. I have my own weekly sports segment on the daily announcements and serve as sports editor for the school’s online newspaper. I love sports and want to be involved in the sporting world any way I can for the rest of my life. After graduating for Penn State, I plan on writing and/or coaching sports for the years to come.
I am a senior at Archbishop Prendergast High School, and editor of the yearbook, the Crozier. As anyone who has been on their school’s yearbook can tell you, it has taken over my life. I am involved with many other activities but I hope to one day be a book editor. I am planning on earning my English degree from Franklin and Marshall College, Ursinus College, or Rosemont College. I have yet to make my final decision. Because I want to be a book editor, it goes without saying that I love reading books. But I also love drawing. I would draw all day if I had the time. Although I do enjoy writing, I enjoy editing even more. From this workshop, I hope to improve my overall writing skills.
I am an 18-year-old senior at Upper Moreland High School in Montgomery County, where I write sports for the school newspaper, the Bear Print. I have been interested in sports since the first time I saw the Eagles play on TV. In addition to studying sports, I enjoy playing sports, writing, working out, and hanging out with friends. My future goals include attending Penn State University, receiving a degree in broadcast journalism, and being on the NFL Network as a sports analyst. I currently write a daily sports blog and try to keep up with what’s going on in the world of sports. This workshop was my first taste of the life as a journalist and I can’t get enough of it. I have gotten a lot out of this workshop and I think that this has given me the basics needed to pursue a journalistic career.
My name is Taylor Perkins and I am an 18-year-old senior at Washington Township high school. I will be attending Drew University in the fall. My school activities include participating in clubs such as newspaper club, where I am a senior editor, the book club, where I am on the executive board, and the orchestra. Besides being involved with my school, I also like to participate in average teenage activities like going to the movies, the mall, and down to the Jersey Shore during the summer. I also love to travel and see different parts of the world. I’ve had the opportunity to travel to Paris, London, and various parts of Austria. And I cannot wait to travel to more places and experience more things as I get older.
Joseph Phelan
Kyle Phillippi
Siobhan Redding
Ciara Stone
I am a senior at Audubon High School — home of Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco. Ever since I was old enough to read Sports Illustrated for Kids, I have set my sights on a future in sports journalism. Two years ago, I began to take my writing online in sports blogging. I have worked with a few popular sports sites, including Scout.com, which is affiliated with Fox Sports and GCobb.com. In high school, I spent time working with the school yearbook in my freshman and sophomore years, and am currently writing for the high school newspaper, the Parrot. I am involved in baseball and soccer at Audubon, and was named all-Colonial Conference second team goalkeeper this past season in soccer After high school, I plan on attending either Penn State University or Rowan University and pursue a career in sports journalism.
I am a senior at Marple Newtown High School. After transferring from private to public school my junior year, I became actively involved with the school newspaper, the Marnews. My passion for journalism grew from there so once school ended, I got a summer internship with a local newspaper, News of Delaware County. Writing for these two newspapers has given me a wide range of experience and allowed me to meet new and interesting people. Outside of journalism I enjoy playing basketball and going to concerts. Next year, I plan to major in journalism at Temple University.
I am a senior at the Philadelphia High School for Girls. I was born in Philadelphia, but raised in Hatboro for nearly 10 years. My passion is writing, particularly short stories and poetry. However, my activities extend to public speaking as well as creating articles. I enjoy lending aid to the community, in which I have volunteered at Abington Memorial Hospital for about a year and have dedicated my time to beautifying gardens and helping save the environment in Garden Club and Eco Club at my school. My vision is to travel to different countries, study their unique cultures and allow their beauty to inspire me in ways untold.
Magdalena Stuehrmann
Melinda Szkaradnik
My name is Joseph Phelan and I am a senior at Monsignor Bonner High School. Throughout my high school career, I have participated in basketball, tennis, football, the yearbook, the newspaper, MBTV, student council, community service, and respect life. I enjoy music and writing, along with a deep interest in sports. I will be attending St. Bonaventure University this fall and will pursue a degree in journalism and mass communications. The reason I love to write is because I feel I can use the talent God gave to me to better the lives of others. I know how powerful words can be when used correctly, and I want to inspire people to do great things with my writing. I am truly blessed to have my family and friends to support me each and every day. They give me the energy that fuels my passion for writing.
I am a senior at Methacton High School, where I am the I am 17 years old, and a senior at Octorara Area High second-year editor-in-chief of our school newspaper, the School. I am a writer and ediWindy Hill. Next year, I will torialist for my school newsbe attending Penn State Unipaper, the Octorara Outlook. versity to study communicaThough writing is one of my tions. passions, I am also an avid When I am not working on reader and dancer. the Windy Hill, I am involved I also have a strong interest in our school’s branch of Leo in international relations. At Club, lifeguarding, golfing, or my high school, I cofounded a playing recreational basketclub called Students Without ball. Borders. This club tries to Another one of my interests draw the student body’s attenis speaking Spanish. Last tion to events of international importance, such as natural year, I had the opportunity to disasters, and raise funds to participate in an exchange program with a high school help those affected by such from Spain. I am also a gradudisasters. ate of the 2010 KYW NewstudThis workshop has been ex- ies program. tremely helpful to me, not only by teaching me more about the process of news writing, but also helping me to further develop my own writing style. After attending this workshop, I find myself leaning toward a major in English.
Brianna Tong
Shelia Vitruk
Madeleine Walsh
Zack Weber
Judy Yang
As a senior at the Charter School of Wilmington, I am the op/ed editor for our newspaper, the Blue Streak, the senior writing editor for Tangents, our literary magazine, and a contributing writer for both publications. I also write poetry, lyrics, and music reviews. I love to read — novels, poems and plays. The infinite ways in which words can come together never fail to fascinate me. Besides writing, I also direct my school’s drama club, a cappella club, and show choir; participate in quiz bowl and a humanitarian club that supports global causes; act in school plays; and sing and play the piano and guitar. I plan to major in English and possibly pursue a career in journalism, and hopefully someday use my writing to increase knowledge about underrepresented social groups suffering ongoing injustice.
I attend Springfield Township High School in Montgomery County, and I’m currently a sophomore. I am interested in either journalism photography or street photography. I enjoy the arts, such as photography, painting, and drawing. I have taken two photography classes in school and I’m hoping to join the arts magazine in my school next year. Photography is and will always be my passion and I joined this workshop to gain more information about photo journalism. I knew at an earlier age that I wanted to do something with photography. My mom bought my dad a camera for Christmas one year and I ended up taking it and using it every time I had a chance and never returned it. I didn’t know until then that I would try to capture everything that caught my eye.
I am currently a senior at Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls, where I am the editor-in-chief of my school newspaper, the Theresian, for my junior and senior years. I joined the school newspaper as a freshman because of my love for writing and interest in journalism, and I consider it one of the most rewarding and satisfying aspects of my high school experience. To me, writing is a privilege and an important exercise in communicating one’s voice. I believe that the media have a powerful impact and crucial role in society, and I am an advocate of print journalism. When I am not writing or editing my school newspaper, I am involved in debating in Model United Nations, playing the violin in my school’s concert band, Irish dancing, playing on Little Flower’s varsity golf team.
I am a senior at Phoenixville Area High School and will be turning 18 in January. I have written for my school newspaper, the Purple Press, for the last three years. This school year, I am also the layout editor for the newspaper. It is my responsibility to not only to write articles but also lay out pages. I started writing my freshman year of high school, when I took an expressive writing course. I learned to clearly express my ideas and generally improved my skills as a writer. Since sophomore year, I have been a part of the journalism course that produces the school newspaper. Among many things, I learned how to keep the attention of the reader and how to write various different types of articles, such as editorials and news stories.
I’m a student at Bayard Rustin High School, in the suburbs of Philadelphia. I’ve lived in Chester County for most of my life and I absolutely love it there. In school, I’m currently a class officer, representing my grade. I’m also on the speech and debate team, a member of our school newspaper, the Rustin Herald, a member of the Environmental Club, and a member of our volleyball team. In my spare time, I really enjoy playing the piano and spending time with my family. I also love trying new foods and traveling around the world. During the Acel Moore Career Development Workshop, I hope to expand my writing ability and further my understanding of journalism, a possible career path for me.
Student portraits by staff photographer Akira Suwa
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THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
Acknowledgments
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Thanks to all who volunteered ABOUT THE PROGRAM The Acel Moore Career Development Workshop is an annual project sponsored by The Inquirer. The hands-on program seeks to introduce Philadelphia-area high school students to the field of journalism. Students produce First Take, the student newspaper, at the conclusion of the workshop. We gratefully acknowledge the following staffers for their time and effort in making this program possible. STAFF VOLUNTEERS Program Founder Acel Moore Program Director Oscar Miller Associate Directors Sandy Clark Lidija Dorjkhand Sherelle McZeal Administration Stan Wischnowski Sandra Long John Brumfield Rob Copestick Regina Fink Philly.com Wendy Warren Systems Al Hasbrouck Steve Glynn Building Services Chris White Graphic Artists Kevin Burkett John Duchneskie Amy Junod Photography Michael Mercanti Jim Selzer April Saul Donna Hendricks Akira Suwa Michael Wirtz John Gayusky Copy Editors Michael Harrington
Bob Kelley Suzanne Weston Phillippa Chaplin Sandy Spieczny T.J. Furman Richard Barron Steve Elliott Miriam Tarver David Sullivan Speakers Harold Jackson Vernon Clark Sally Downey Kia Gregory Dan Biddle Annette John-Hall Writing Coaches Deirdre Childress Chelsea Conaboy Joelle Farrell Adrienne Lu Howie Shapiro Melanie Burney Allison Steele Julie Busby Keith Pompey Marty Woodall Mari Schaefer Jane Von Bergen Amy Rosenberg Michael Klein Matt Breen Susan Snyder David Sell Kristin Holmes Suzette Parmley Maya Rao Claudia Vargas Joe Tanfani Cindy Henry Jonathan Tamari
Staff writer Allison Steele makes a point to student Kyle Miller during one of two writing sessions in The Inquirer’s newsroom.
Meet America’s fledgling stars
¢ For more information on the Acel Moore Career Development Workshop, go to http://go.philly.com/acelmooreworkshop.
Photographs by workshop participant Shelia Vitruk
Founder says field is same, despite changes
MOORE from F1 this year includes the largest class in its history. Students from 31 schools in the Philadelphia area walked through the doors of the Philadelphia Media Network building on Feb. 5 to begin a four-week program aimed at introducing them to the field of journalism. Inquirer and Philly.com staffers volunteered to help students learn interview techniques, and story research and construction. During the final two weeks, students reported and wrote their own story. Students also worked with Philly.com, and the graphics and photo departments to produce content that would end up in First Take and in an online edition of the paper. The publication’s theme this year is the economy. “We chose the economy because it’s a subject that won’t go away,” said Oscar Miller, the workshop’s program director. “We wanted to look at the state of the economy through the eyes of a young person and see how it’s affecting their daily lives.” The student-produced section will be distributed as part of the main press run of The Inquirer on Saturday, April 2, the final day of the workshop, when students, guests and workshop volunteers will attend an awards luncheon at The Inquirer’s Center City building. One student will receive a $1,000 scholarship and two will receive $500 scholarships for outstanding work during the workshop. The awards are provided in partnership with the Philadelphia Foundation. Over the years, hundreds of journalists currently working in the industry wrote one of their first stories for First Take. They’ve gone on to write and edit major newspapers, run businesses and websites and produce television news. Sharyn Flanagan, a production editor at USA Today, at-
Workshop participant Morgan Harris and graphic artist John Duchneskie work on an illustration for First Take. Students get one-on-one attention during the program.
SARAH J. GLOVER / Staff
Acel Moore won a Pulitzer
prize and numerous other awards over his 40-plus years as a journalist at The Inquirer.
To Donate
Student John Cafasso of West Deptford High and staff
photographer Michael Bryant go over photo possibilities.
City editor Julie Busby edits Corsair Layton’s story on a single, unemployed mother who is still searching for a job.
To support the Acel Moore Career Development Workshop, you may contribute to the Philadelphia Foundation at: The Philadelphia Foundation, 1234 Market St., Suite 1800, Philadelphia 19107-3794. You may also follow the “Dollars for Scholars” link at http://go.philly.com/acel mooreworkshop
tended the workshop in the mid-1980s. Flanagan, then a student at the Philadelphia High School for Girls, wrote a story that examined singlesex and coed education. “Besides opening up a career for me, [the workshop] gave me confidence,” Flanagan said. “We learned to speak up, write and do research. No matter what field you go into that’s valuable. You can use those skills across the board.”
Participant Siobhan Redding and Inquirer sports writer Keith Pompey discuss Redding’s story on a struggling small business.