Students lament 'horrible' closing of Bok

THIS WEEK'S CLOSING of Edward W. Bok Technical High School leaves students' futures clouded in uncertainty and local businesses missing a portion of their clientele.

"It's horrible," said Aniyah Matthews, 17, a junior. "Everyone doesn't know where they're going."

Academy at Palumbo and Franklin Learning Center have yet to respond to Matthews' application. The lack of news leaves her anxious about where she will spend her senior year.

If Matthews does not get accepted to the other schools, her plan is to attend South Philadelphia High School. One reason, she said, is that the school is seeking permission to put "Bok" on former Bok students' diplomas.

Matthews thinks the 11th-graders at Bok will miss out on experiencing a graduation with their friends, because the class of 2014 likely will be scattered in high schools throughout Philadelphia.

"I think 11th grade has it the worst," Matthews said. "We won't get to graduate together."

Similarly, freshman Kheyana Murray, 15, will have to find a new high school after just one year at Bok.

"When I was in eighth grade, I thought I would be at the same school for all four years," Murray said, "not worrying about transferring."

The closing has Murray rethinking her future. She was looking forward to studying culinary arts at Bok, but after being accepted to Parkway Center City High School, which doesn't have a culinary program, she might have to change plans, she said.

Despite her short stay at Bok, Murray has enjoyed her time there.

"I liked it a lot; I got to meet new people, new teachers," Murray said. "I got to do something new."

Most of Murray's friends from Bok will attend South Philadelphia High. She will miss her friends, she said.

"We'll still keep in touch through the phone," Murray said, "but not seeing each other at school won't be the same."

Local businesses also are caught in the wake.

Red's Hoagies, on another corner of 9th and Mifflin streets, has been serving breakfast sandwiches to Bok students and teachers since 1948, when Eugene Burgese's father owned the shop.

It has been a good experience for Burgese, 53.

"I know how high-school kids can be," Burgese said, "but the kids are pretty positive."

Twenty percent of the shop's business comes from Bok students and teachers, Burgese said.

Southside Pizza, at 8th and Mifflin streets, also will feel the absence of its hungry clientele from the Bok student body.

Manager Sergio Martinez, 44, estimates that Bok students account for 18 percent of his business. With the closing of Bok, he might have to increase prices.

"It's going to affect us a lot," Martinez said. "Kids come in to get slices or drinks after school."

The high school also orders pizza and wings for staff meetings about once a month, Martinez said.

"I'm still thinking what I can do to keep business steady," he said.

AxisPhilly and NBC 10 will be holding a forum tonight at 6 on the future uses of the building housing Bok High at New Hope Temple Baptist Church at 711 S. 12th St. The event is free. Community members can register at http://bok.eventbrite.com