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Honoring and congratulating Paul Robeson High School for Human Services student Alyssa Perren on her historic admission to Harvard University and wishing her luck on future endeavors.
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WHEREAS, Alyssa Perren is a seventeen-year-old student at the Paul Robeson High School for Human Services in West Philadelphia. Her mother, Nicola Duplesis, emigrated from Jamaica. Her father, Christopher Perren, played polo at the Valley Forge Military Academy. Alyssa is the oldest of four siblings, younger brothers Lawrence and Christopher, and younger sister Camille; and
WHEREAS, Alyssa will graduate from Paul Robeson High School as the Salutatorian in June. She is also the Vice President of the Paul Robeson High School Chapter of the National Honor Society. Alyssa has received many accolades, including the Student Leadership Award from Widener University and NBC10 Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, One of Alyssa’s most cherished memories is participating in the University of Pennsylvania’s Medical School Pipeline Program. This program provides her the opportunity to study at the Perelman School of Medicine, where she is currently in the Life Science and Management (LSM) cohort, which focuses on the societal health -related consequences of commercializing new medicines; and
WHEREAS, Polo changed Alyssa’s father’s life, and now it is changing hers. When she is not focused on academics, Alyssa is riding her pony, Will, as part of the Work-to-Ride polo team. She was selected as the captain of the girls’ Work-to-Ride team, won the United States Polo Association 2023 Girls Interscholastic Preliminary Tournament Sportsmanship Award, and participated in Philadelphia’s inaugural Polo Classic; and
WHEREAS, When a Work-to-Ride alumna matriculated to Harvard University last fall, Alyssa went to visit, and “everything changed”. Alyssa saw Harvard’s polo coach interact with each member of the team and knew she wanted that kind of individualized instruction for herself. In addition, she knew that attending a world-class research institution would allow her to thrive intellectually and professionally; and
WHEREAS, When Alyssa learned she had been accepted to Harvard, making her the first student at Paul Robeson High School to be enrolled in an Ivy League institution, it felt like a dream come true. She plans to study biology as a member of the Class of 2027. Down the line, Alyssa hopes to become a veterinarian and provide pet care services to families who cannot afford it; and
WHEREAS, Alyssa Perren shattered the glass ceiling and proved to generations of young West Philadelphians that they too can attend the nation's most prestigious academic institutions if they work hard; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, hereby congratulates Ms. Alyssa Perren on her historic admission to Harvard University and wishes her luck on future endeavors.
FUTHER RESOLVED, The Council of the City of Philadelphia acknowledges the support and care of the Perren family and all the other neighbors, community leaders, peers, and friends who believed in Alyssa Perren from the start and helped her reach the highest level of academic achievement.
FURTHER RESOLVED, The Council of the City of Philadelphia thanks Principal Gordon and the teachers at Paul Robeson High School for providing Alyssa with a loving, nurturing, and safe learning environment, and challenging students academically while encouraging them to go after their dreams.
FURTHER RESOVLED, An engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Alyssa Perren and Paul Robeson High School for Human Services.
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