What Do These People Have in Common?

• Herbert Phillips – Class of 1942 – Graduated from Purdue University with a degree in mechanical engineering.  He holds the patent on a device that helped revolutionize the modern day refrigerator.  He has had a hand in developing reliable consumer appliances from dishwashers and hairdryers to microwave ovens and window air conditioners as well large commercial air conditioning and refrigeration standards.

• Dr. Alfred D. Roberts – Class of 1941 – Majoring in French, he graduated as the valedictorian from Ursinus College and earned master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Pennsylvania.  He became the French Department Chairperson at West Chester University.  As President of the university’s Faculty Senate, he acquired a reputation for defending academic freedom and the rights of professors to exercise free speech.

• Antonio Rivera – Class of 2002 – As a member of a National Guard unit deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, he was a member of a team that cleared over 4,000 miles of roadways from bombs.  He was wounded in a roadside explosion but still managed to provide aid to his injured crew members.  He was honored with the Army’s Soldier of the Year Award.

• Vanessa Saylor – Class of 1988 – She received a bachelor’s and master’s degree in social work from Temple University.  As Director of the Pottstown Family Center, she was responsible for the development and implementation of many programs that benefitted the community.  She is a distinguished grant writer and fund raiser and has been recognized throughout the area for her caring, compassionate service to area families.  She has been responsible for the coordination and sharing of many committees that have had a significant impact on the wellbeing of the community.

    . Reginald Nealy - Class of 1967 – As a member of the United States Marine  Corps., he served in Vietnam and then returned to Pottstown and joined the ranks of the Pottstown Police Department where he became a sergeant.  He earned a master’s degree from Lincoln University and joined the teaching staff at West Chester University as an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice.  He was awarded the Public Citizen of the Year Award from the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. 

 They are all graduates of Pottstown High School and are part of the 133 year tradition in the Pottstown School District of excellence in education.

Read more about the outstanding people, programs, and facilities by going to www.pottstownschools.com.  You may also register to receive Pottstown School District E-Alerts.