EP Leadership Academy Hosts 12th Annual Tie Ceremony

Nine sixth graders participated in the 12th annual Elkins Park School Leadership Academy Program’s (LAP) high-impact tie ceremony Tuesday afternoon in Kircher Hall with an audience of family, friends and community members. 

Dedicated to the pursuit of excellence, responsibility and unity, the LAP is an after-school program for boys of color which aims to eliminate the achievement gap. Group sponsors Derek Pittman and Ebon Rogers subscribe to the Frederick Douglass quote, “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.”

Sam Cassisse led the boys in the recitation of the group’s leadership pledge. Mentors then came on stage and partnered with sixth graders to speak with them about their aspirations and assist them in tying their blue and gold ties. “Beat the statistics,” “Balance your school work and athletics” and “Hit the books” were some of the words of advice from mentors to the LAP participants. 

Guest mentors at this year’s event included CSD Superintendent Dr. Brian Scriven; David Poindexter, previous LAP sponsor; Judge Steve Tolliver; Cheltenham Commissioner Irv Brockington, and many others.

To close the ceremony, the boys introduced themselves and announced their career aspirations, among them engineer, entrepreneur, animator, real estate investor, accountant and lawyer.

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