Graduation caps tell us so much about the journeys of our graduates.  There are so many stories to share about our One Hundred and Fifty 2023 Graduating Seniors.  This group of students persevered through so many challenges individually and collectively as they navigated high school in the midst of the Pandemic.  This graduating class was in 9th grade when COVID closed our schools.  It was not until almost two years later, Spring of their Junior year, when they were able to re engage in uninterrupted in-person learning.  In spite of the many challenges they faced, this group of young people adapted and persevered.  This blog is in honor of them and all they have accomplished.  Hats off to our 2023 Graduates!

In June, we honored our Graduating Class of 2023. Building 21 Allentown celebrated at the PPL Center in downtown Allentown. And Philadelphia celebrated at the Independence Seaport Museum in downtown Philadelphia. Some of the their many accomplishments included:

Building 21 Philadelphia

• Of the 47 School District of Philadelphia High Schools, Building 21 ranked in the top 10 for school attendance
• All graduates successfully completed at least one internship
• 50% of graduating seniors successfully completed at least one advanced class (dual enrollment/honors or AP)
• 50% of students earned an industry recognized credential
• Students from the graduating class were accepted into over 40 colleges and universities
• 62% of students plan to go directly to a two or four year college or university, 10% deferred acceptance for one year and 20% plan to go into the military, trade school or the workforce

Building 21 Allentown

• 100% of all graduates you have been accepted into a 2 or 4-year college
• 50% of this graduating class has successfully completed at least one advanced course (Dual Enrollment/Honors or AP)
• Collectively, Graduates have written 171 Argumentative Essays, conducted 355 Scientific Investigations, and given 312 Presentations.
• Outside of our classroom walls, this class has provided over 3,000 community service hours during their time at Building 21 High School.
• 1 in 5 graduates entered the Allentown School District as speakers of languages other than English and are exiting with proficiency in English and at least one other language.
• 97% of the eligible members of the Class have registered to vote. They earned the Governor’s Civic Engagement Award for the 5th year in a row

Impactful speeches

Inspirational words are a must for a graduation ceremony. Read excerpts from our Allentown school leader's and Philadelphia commencement speaker's speeches.

Graduate Spotlight: Marilyn Arisa, Valedictorian, Allentown Class of 2023

Marilyn Arisa, the 2023 Building 21 Allentown class valedictorian, exemplifies a remarkable commitment to excellence in academics and athletics. Throughout high school, Marilyn sought out challenges and excelled in both arenas. In 11th grade, she joined the Early College program at Building 21 Allentown, making the Dean's List for two years in a row. Simultaneously, Marilyn showcased her passion for soccer at Dieruff High School, earning the Girls' MVP title and the esteemed Husky Pride Award. Despite her rigorous soccer schedule, she managed to excel academically, graduating from high school with an Associates degree. Recognizing her exceptional dedication, Kutztown University awarded Marilyn a full-tuition Board of Governors scholarship to study Business and Marketing. As she embarks on her college journey, we anticipate that Marilyn will continue to shine, leveraging her skills and passion to make a significant impact in her chosen field.

Important Relationships

Relationships are the foundation of Building 21. We're so proud of our graduates and wish them well as they begin their post-secondary journeys. We can't wait to see this talented and tenacious group of young people impact their world.

Author

Laura Shubilla is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Building 21. She has spent her career focused on cross-sector, systemic solutions to improve economic and educational outcomes for urban youth.