Inquirer awards to 122 high school seniors

They've tutored young children, raised money for charities, worked toward a cleaner environment, shared their knowledge of animals, and launched blood drives - all while still in high school.

In a ceremony at the National Constitution Center, 122 outstanding high school seniors from throughout the Philadelphia area were honored yesterday morning as recipients of the fourth annual Inquirer Student Citizenship Award.

For Justin Pergolini, 18, of Haverford High School, who tutors children from Anna B. Pratt Elementary School in North Philadelphia, good citizenship has been a matter of sharing knowledge with younger people.

"The one thing I love about tutoring is it's definitely a hands-on experience," said Pergolini, who works with children at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church.

"It's one thing to donate money to a cause, but when you're tutoring someone," he said, "you see the results of your hard work right in front of you."

Pergolini, who is set to attend the University of Pennsylvania in the fall, said he had seen much of himself in a boy named Donovan, whom he tutors.

"Donovan is very bright and loves poetry. We're into the same books. He loves poetry by Langston Hughes. When I was a child, I loved Langston Hughes' poetry, too."

Pergolini said he was "grateful and humbled" by the award. "When you get an award like this, you feel like there is so much more you can do."

The student citizenship award recognizes outstanding high school seniors throughout the region who actively participate in their community's civic life and demonstrate the qualities of civic or community contribution, good scholarship, and school participation.

The students were treated to breakfast and presented with a medallion and a $100 prize by Brian P. Tierney, publisher of The Inquirer and chief executive of Philadelphia Media Holdings, which owns The Inquirer, the Philadelphia Daily News, and Philly.com, and by Inquirer editor William K. Marimow. Each student had a photograph taken with the media executives.

Tierney praised the award recipients "for the well-roundedness that you represent . . . that sense of somebody who is going to be a great citizen someday and who will lead this region and lead our country. We are really proud to salute you."

Marimow told the students that their work in their communities was similar to the public-service journalism at his newspaper.

Of the students and their supporters, Marimow said, "All I can say is awesome b'dawesome. It's really awe-inspiring."

The program opened with a performance of patriotic songs by the Choir of the Creative and Performing Arts High School.

Among the gathering was Maiki Paul of Agnes Irwin School in Rosemont, who has devoted much of her free time to encouraging a better understanding of cultural diversity among students.

Paul, 18, is the founder of Main Line Diversity Alliance, a group of high school students around the Main Line area who work to increase cultural awareness.

"We hold forums and conferences," said Paul, who is set to attend Brown University and plans to study international affairs and business. "We have discussions on current issues that pertain to our schools."

Paul volunteers at a day-care facility at the high school. "I am also really involved in my church," she said, "and I like to stay active and hang out with my friends."

Paul said that receiving the award was "a great recognition for what my group has been trying to do by getting out the message about diversity and leadership."

Soukea Phork of Abraham Lincoln High School in Northeast Philadelphia has used her interest in medical issues to launch a blood drive March 29.

Phork, 17, plans to attend Temple University or La Salle University, major in nursing, and go to medical school.

"I just want the students to get involved in activities at the school," said Phork, who is the National Honor Society president at Lincoln and captain of the school's girls' tennis and badminton teams.

For Kayla Hampton of Paulsboro High School, who plays the snare drum in the marching band, sharing the gift of music with younger students is a civic gesture.

"I like working with younger students in the band," Hampton said. "It brings me joy to help other people."

Hampton, 17, said her volunteer efforts extended into her community.

"I even help around my neighborhood, when my neighbors need help cleaning," she said. "I sing at nursing homes around the holidays to entertain senior citizens."

Fadwa Kingsbury, 17, of Central High School in Philadelphia, said she volunteers at the Academy of Natural Sciences, displaying small animals - including snakes, lizards, turtles, and rabbits - for children at the academy's Outside In exhibit.

"We hold the animals so people can touch them," said Kingsbury, who is applying to several colleges.

She said her work had been inspiring. "I've learned a lot from volunteering, like how to work with people of all ages."