Pennsylvania

Norristown, Pa. singer gets golden ticket on American Idol

Published

2 years ago

March 31, 2023

Norristown, Pa. singer gets golden ticket on American Idol

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Three native contestants are headed to Hollywood Week this Sunday night time on American Idol.

Certainly one of them is a Norristown, Montgomery County native, who acquired a “sure” from all three judges, and a golden ticket to Hollywood.

However 24-year-old Rashid Saint-Fleur says he nearly did not audition.

He admits that he is at all times been drawn to music, and he is been busy writing and creating his personal.

SEE ALSO: Chester County teen will get golden ticket to Hollywood on American Idol

However when American Idol known as, he says he wasn’t certain he would go for it.

It was a pep discuss from his dad that satisfied him.

“He was like, ‘Man, you need to take this chance. It is a once-in-a-lifetime alternative that individuals who dream of by no means get to do,’” Saint-Fleur recollects.

When he walked out of that audition room holding his golden ticket, he was glad he took his father’s recommendation.

“I’m so glad that I ran with it, that I gave it my all,” he says.

Saint-Fleur’s love of music began along with his ardour for drumming.

SEE ALSO: Bucks County singer, songwriter will get golden ticket on American Idol

“I grew up taking part in drums, in all probability since I used to be like seven or eight,” he says. “I began taking drum classes out in Philly.”

Singing is in his DNA.

“My mother was singing again in Haiti for the longest time and she or he was singing round the home,” Saint-Fleur says. “Even to today, she’s at all times singing.”

When it got here time to sing for the judges in New Orleans, he says he acquired nervous.

“My voice was shaky,” he says. “I used to be like, ‘I am going house.’”

The judges, he says, felt his vibe.

“My sound may be very relaxed, chill, laid again,” Saint-Fleur says. “They mentioned my voice was distinctive and that it was quite a bit completely different from a variety of contestants. Quite a bit softer. They even in contrast me to Seal, which is absolutely, actually dope.”

Rashid is now on his solution to changing into the subsequent American Idol.

“Truthfully, it is surreal.”

Catch him throughout Hollywood Week on American Idol this Sunday at 8 p.m. proper right here on 6abc.

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Pennsylvania

Messiah Lifeways receives $1 million in funding from Pennsylvania

Published

5 hours ago

November 25, 2024

Press Room

Messiah Lifeways receives million in funding from Pennsylvania

An artist’s rendering depicts the Ferncrest campus. (Image from https://fernecrest.messiahlifeways.org/ used with permission of Messiah LIfeways)

Mechanicsburg, PA-based Messiah Lifeways has received $1 million through the commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s 2024 Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program.

RACP grant funding is meant to be used for the design, acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement projects.

The retirement community has allocated half of the funding to prepare the site and construct the organization’s Fernecrest campus in New Cumberland, PA, for which ground was broken earlier this month. The other $500,000 will support HVAC upgrades at the Messiah Village campus in Mechanicsburg.

Messiah LIfeways said that the monies allocated to the Fernecrest property will allow it to focus on amenities such as a nature trail, a fitness center, dining venues “and various other perks designed for residents to enjoy the scenic landscape.”

Messiah Lifeways CEO and President Karl Brummer said in a press release that the grant money was an honor, “having the value of our efforts to meet the growing and evolving needs of older adults recognized and supported in such a tangible and transformational way.”

“These dollars will help us move our mission forward, broadening our regional reach and meeting a growing need for places where people can not just reside as they age, but also where they can gain a meaningful community with whom they can learn, explore and thrive, he added.

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Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania State Finalist Toby Herzog Commits To William & Mary For 2025

Published

12 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Press Room

Pennsylvania State Finalist Toby Herzog Commits To William & Mary For 2025

Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.

Toby Herzog from Ambler, Pennsylvania has announced his commitment to continue his academic and athletic careers at William & Mary beginning in fall 2025.

“I am ecstatic to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at William & Mary. Thank you to all of my coaches, teammates, and parents for your continuous support. Can’t wait for 2025! GO TRIBE! “

Herzog swims for Upper Dublin Aquatic Club and is in his senior year at Upper Dublin High School, botu out of Fort Washington, PA. This past March, he finished 4th in the 100 breast at the PIAA 3A State Championships swimming to a 55.63. He was slightly faster in prelims with a 55.46 which made him the 2nd seed heading into finals. His best time of a 55.35 from December 2023 notably would have finished 3rd.

In addition to his ‘A’ final appearance in the 100 breast, he also won the 200 IM, clocking a 1:53.43, a personal best time. He made huge strides in the event as a junior as he started his junior campaign with a best time of a 2:04.80.

Herzog’s best SCY times are:

100 breast: 55.35
200 breast: 2:02.18
200 IM: 1:53.43

The William & Mary men finished 5th out of 6 teams at the 2024 CAA Championships. The team was less than 100 points behind 4th place Drexel.

Based on his best times, Herzog has the potential to be an immediate impact upon his arrival. His best time in the 100 breast would have made the ‘B’ final. The team notably had 2 ‘A’ finalists in the event with Brock Rempe (54.00) and Logan McDonald (54.01) finishing 5th and 6th. Herzog’s best time in the 200 breast would also have made the ‘B’ final.

Herzog will arrive next fall as a member of the class of 2029 along with Leo O’Keefe (backstroke), Blaise VanSlyke (sprint free), and Aiden Grendysz (fly).

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Pennsylvania

Pa. STEM center made possible by Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation

Published

21 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Press Room

Pa. STEM center made possible by Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation

STEM careers can lead students to earn higher salaries, but it isn’t always accessible for all children to pursue STEM programs or careers.

“Most Americans believe K-12 STEM education in the United States is either average or below average compared with other wealthy nations,” according to an April 2024 Pew Research Center survey.

The study also revealed that “recent global standardized test scores show that students in the U.S. are, in fact, lagging behind their peers in other wealthy nations when it comes to math,” but are doing better than average in science compared with pupils in other countries.

The foundation is for all students but it places centers in neighborhoods handpicked because they don’t have access to technology education or abundant financial resources. Ripken Jr. explained, “A lot of our centers are in rural (or inner-city) areas.”

Joe Rossow, executive vice president of STEM and outcome measurements at the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, noted that “rural areas don’t have that tax base… it’s hard for them to get new equipment, and new furniture and new things.”

Calvin Butler, president and CEO of Exelon and board chairman of the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation (left) Cal Ripken Jr., baseball Hall of Fame shortstop (center) and PECO senior VP Doug Oliver (right) pose with the Philly Phanatic at the ceremonial ribbon cutting for a new STEM center at the Tinicum School in Delaware County, Pa., on November 20, 2024. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

In a 2021 report, Pew research also revealed that “Black and Hispanic workers remain underrepresented in the STEM workforce compared with their share of all workers.” The research stated that while women make up half of those employed in STEM jobs, most are in health-related careers. Women are underrepresented in other occupations, according to the report.

The foundation aims to help level the field and alter the stigma that prevents students from entering STEM-related careers. Rossow said they have seen an increase in girls showing interest in their STEM center programs. An analysis of application data from students in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Maryland found that 60% of female students had a higher increase in STEM engagement, 53% of female students had a higher percentage of STEM enjoyment and 50% of female students’ chances increased to enter STEM careers.

“Some of our female students had an increase in critical thinking as problem solvers and after that study, we didn’t realize it (the centers) really had an impact on our female engineers,” Rossow said.

The foundation’s mission is to partner with youth-serving organizations and schools across the country to provide educational life skills curriculum.

A mission that Ripken Sr. believed in wholeheartedly, according to Ripken Jr.

In Pennsylvania, STEM centers have opened at Saint Aloysius Parish School in Pottstown, Scott Sixth Grade Center in Coatesville, Delta-Peach Bottom Elementary in Delta, Robert K. Shafer Middle School in Bensalem, Feltonville School of Arts & Sciences and Avery Harrington School in Philadelphia.

The organization plans to open more centers in the future.

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