Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
‘Magnum Opus’ gala raises funds for enrichment programs
PHILADELPHIA >> Boys’ Latin of Philadelphia hosted its newest event, “Magnum Opus,” April 27 at the Please Touch Museum in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia. The benefit raised vital funds for the school so it can continue to offer worldclass educational experience and pays tribute to the great work of David Hardy and Dick Williams. The achievements of the school would not have been possible without the leadership of these two men, both of whom are in their final year of service at Boys’ Latin.
David Hardy, founder and CEO, has been at the very heart of the institution since its inception and has been relentless in his pursuit of excellence. He has transformed the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of students in Philadelphia. David will retire from Boys’ Latin this June, after dedicating 36 years of his life to urban education. Dick Williams, founding Chairman of the Board of Trustees has passionately marshaled the mission and vision of the school. His leadership, expertise and generosity have been unrivaled assets to the Board.
“Magnum Opus is an opportunity to celebrate the leadership of founder and Chief Executive Officer, David Hardy. He has brought unparalleled vision, talent, and passion to this school. In ten years, Boys’ Latin of Philadelphia has surpassed our wildest expectations,” said Janine Yass, Co-Founder of Boys’ Latin of Philadelphia. “Our graduates are earning college degrees at rates that exceed surrounding high schools by 10 times.”
“Our Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dick Williams, has worked tirelessly for ten years to support the mission and vision of Boys’ Latin of Philadelphia,” comments Marianne Dean, Vice Chairwoman of the Trustees of Boys’ Latin of Philadelphia. “His contributions have been transformational and his devotion has been an inspiration for us all.”
“Magnum Opus” welcomed comedian Jay Pharoah, Saturday Night Live alumnus, as entertainment for the evening’s festivities. The fundraiser has already raised over $500,000 in sponsorships and ticket sales. The school relies on these funds to support areas of college counseling, enrichment programs in engineering and the arts, technology programming, academic interventions and athletics. Boys’ Latin of Philadelphia is the first and only single gender charter school in Philadelphia. Boys’ Latin of Philadelphia outperforms the city average for college persistence by three times with 84 percent of its graduates matriculating to college and 70 percent persisting through two years.
Boys’ Latin of Philadelphia Charter School is a rigorous college preparatory school founded in 2007. Boys’ Latin is dedicated to the development of confident and independent learners who will be actively engaged as global citizens in an interdependent world. Boys’ Latin believes that all students, regardless of background, are capable of going to, and graduating from, college. Over the past ten years, Boys’ Latin has established a track record of unparalleled success: 95 percent of students graduate with a high school diploma (nearly twice the city average for African American students) and 84 percent of graduating seniors matriculate to college (more than three times the city average for African American males). Boys’ Latin educates 850 students in grades 6 to 12. Through courage, curiosity, compassion, integrity, and perseverance, Boys’ Latin students embrace the school mantra that Every Man is the Architect of His Own Fortune.