Youth Appreciation Award: Motivated leader

NEWS > YOUTH & SCHOOLS

Add Comment | Comments: 0 | Posted May. 31, 2011

Charles Fitzsimmons is a bright student who has also received some notable awards. This senior at Ss. John Neumann and Maria Goretti High School, 1736 S. 10th St., has successfully stood out as an intelligent and well-liked member of the Catholic school since transferring from Roman Catholic High School.

“He is very friendly and outgoing and involved in school activities,” Veronica Oster, the school’s admissions director, said. “He is a wonderful student who has a bright future ahead of him.”

Specifically, the 18-year-old performs the best in the subjects of science and math.

“I enjoy my science classes because it is fun and interesting learning about life and organisms along with dissecting things,” Fitzsimmons said. “Math is another subject that I like because I enjoy dealing with numbers and am good with them.”

Others will soon recognize his academic accomplishments. He has been ranked as number 15 of his graduating class and will be seated on stage for the ceremony coming up in June. He also was nominated for the Mayor’s VIP Program, which acknowledges students who receive straight A’s along with having perfect attendance.

Outside of the classroom, the 3000 block of South 17th Street participates in a number of extracurricular activities. He is a member of the National Honor Society, as well as the pro-life and Spanish clubs. He also serves as captain of the boys’ bowling team. Charles’ grandfather, Charles DeAngelo Jr., who is a war veteran, is his role model and source for inspiration.

“Then [he] had to work three jobs just to support his family and now he is relaxing and retired and still a wonderful father, grandfather and great grandfather,” Charles said.

Charles is the recipient of a presidential scholarship for all four years of college at Neumann University. He plans on either attending Neumann or Temple University in the fall to major in nursing.

Charles Fitzsimmons will receive a $150 savings bond. If you are a teacher or full-time educator and would like to nominate a student (first through 12th grades), call 215-336-2500 ext. 117 or e-mail editor@southphillyreview.com.