On Friday October 18, 2019, the Pottstown School District Alumni Honor Roll Committee will induct three alumni in to the District’s Alumni Honor Roll at the 34th annual event.  The Alumni Honor Roll was established in 1986 as a way to recognize outstanding Pottstown High School Alumni who has made significant contributions to their community and profession.  With the addition of this year’s honorees, 132 alumni will have been recognized with this honor.

The three 2019 honorees represent Pottstown High School Classes of 1953, 1990, and 1999.  Aram Ecker, chair of the Alumni Honor Roll Committee placed the names of Robert G. Sutton, Leticia J. Santiago and LaTanya White-Springfield as the nominees for this year’s class to the Pottstown School Board on Thursday April 23, 2019.

They will be recognized at the Annual Alumni Honor Roll event on Friday October 18, 2019.  The event will begin with a continental breakfast at the Pottstown High School followed by a tour of the Alumni Gallery.  The recognition ceremony will be held during an assembly in the High School’s Stanley Davenport Auditorium.  The induction ceremony will be followed by a luncheon at the Brookside Country Club.  Members of the community as well as all Pottstown High School Alumni are welcome to the event and can purchase tickets for $50 per person which includes admission to all of the events listed above.  A portion of the ticket price is tax deductible and will support the Alumni Honor Roll.  Tickets for the luncheon are on sale and can be reserved by contacting Diane Nash in the Superintendent’s Office 610-970-6601.

Representing the Pottstown High School Class of 1990 is Leticia J. Santiago.  While a student at Pottstown High School, she was captain of the twirling squad, basketball cheerleaders and the Lacrosse team.  She was also the recipient of the London Leisure Scholarship

After high school Ms. Santiago attended Howard University majoring in Political Sciences.  While at Howard University she was awarded the United States Attorney General’s Special Achievement Award while interning in the Department of Justice.  After receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree, she enrolled in Howard University’s School of Law and received her Juris Doctor Degree in 1997.

Ms. Santiago is the Associate Managing Attorney for Travelers.  In 2004, she was awarded the Edith Spivack Special Recognition Award and presented this award from New York City Mayor, Micheal Bloomberg.  She was also presented the 2013 Staff Counsel Award as well as the 2013 In-synch Service award presented by the CEO of Travelers.

 When asked about what the phrase “Proud to be from Pottstown “ meant to her, Ms. Santiago responded
 For me, the phrase “Proud to be from Pottstown” represents the gratitude I feel having been born and raised in Pottstown. Pottstown is where the majority of my family resides; it is where I developed my first friendships, all of which are still maintained today; it is the sense of community, in thought and deed, which during my most impressionable years as a child and teenager, provided me with support and encouragement I needed to succeed in life.

Being inducted in to the Pottstown High School Alumni Honor Roll is a distinguished honor for our alumni.  When asked what this recognition means, she replied,

                My maternal grandparents had 9 children, all of whom graduated from Pottstown High. The first to graduate, my Aunt Berwindale (Glenn) Whitehurst, graduated in 1951, 68 years ago. My Uncle Gregory Glenn, the youngest, graduated in 1966 (my mother, Melvenna (Glenn) Santiago graduated in 1962). When my Uncle Gregory was set to graduate, the Mercury published an article on June 6, 1966 about the Glenn family entitled “Ninth Member of Glenn Family To Graduate from Pottstown High”. The article, which includes a picture of my grandparents, mother, aunts, and uncles, states “[t]he Glenn family probably created school history for the number of brothers and sisters to graduate from any one area high school.” This is my legacy, which is inextricably intertwined with Pottstown High. I am who I am today, in part, because of the four (4) years I spent at Pottstown High; critical years of self-development and purpose. My heart is full with this extraordinary honor. I am proud to be from Pottstown and I am proud to be a Trojan!

When asked what one piece of advice that he would give to the current students of the Pottstown High School, Ms. Santiago replied, My advice is to be loving and kind to others, be positive, find your passion; recognize that you have the power and everything within you to succeed. Be confident, listen carefully, seek counsel from trustworthy adults; understand that challenges and difficulties will arise in life – it is your mindset that makes the difference.

Representing the Pottstown High School Class of 1953 is Robert G. Sutton.  While a student at Pottstown High School, Mr. Sutton participated in football, basketball and track and field, making the first team All Chest-Mont Football Team.  He also played in the marching band which took first place in the National Safety Patrol Parade in Washington, DC.

After graduation, Mr. Sutton attended George Washington University on a football scholarship making the all-Academic Southern Conference football team.   He majored in Physical Education and furthered his education receiving his Masters of Education in 1963. 

Mr. Sutton began his professional career at the Newport Jr. High School in Montgomery County Maryland from 1958-1961 and then moved to Arlington County Virginia teaching at Gunston Jr. High School.  He taught health and physical education at both schools and coached the basketball and  football  as well as serving as the Intramural Director in Arlington County.

In 1964 he moved to East Stroudsburg University where he spent 40 years at this institution.  Some of his career highlights at ESU include teaching physical education and sports management courses, coaching football and freshman basketball, serving as the Assistant Athletic Director and as the Acting Athletic Director, and as the Director of Physical Education and Athletic Facilities.  He took a sabbatical leave in 1974-75 to receive his PhD while at the University of Utah.  Mr. Sutton took a second sabbatical in July of 1996 to work at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta Georgia.

 When asked about what the phrase “Proud to be from Pottstown “ meant to him, Mr. Sutton responded
 .   I am proud to be from Pottstown because of the many fond memories such as

• Had a loving and supportive family.
• Made lifetime friendships.
• Had teachers and coaches who pushed us to be the best we could be.
• Had the opportunity to be in a variety of school activities.
• Provided me summer employment through my high school and college years.
• Attended dances at the Y.M.C.A.
• Went to the high school proms held at the Jr. High School.
• Provided me with a set of values of hard work and the desire to succeed.

All of the above has helped me to achieve success in my career.

I am very humbled to have this award bestowed upon me.  It is very difficult to express in words what it means to me.  I will say it’s one highlight in my life which I won’t forget.  Looking over the names of past inductees with fantastic careers and accomplishments, I am much honored to be part of this distinguished group of people.  Thank you for this recognition. 

When asked what one piece of advice that he would give to the current students of the Pottstown High School, Mr. Sutton replied, my advice is to never say “No” to an opportunity to experience a new adventure.  Always accept the challenge – take and run with it.  Your future success may be achieved from being involved. 

Remember — You Can Not Buy Experience

Members of the community as well as all Pottstown High School Alumni are welcome to the event and can purchase tickets for $50 per person which includes admission to all of the day’s events.  A portion of the ticket price is tax deductible.  Tickets for the luncheon are on sale and can be reserved by contacting Diane Nash in the Superintendent’s Office 610-970-6601.