PHILADELPHIA, PA—Inventor Robert Sun received an award for Outstanding Individual Achievement at the General George A. McCall Elementary School Centennial Gala on Thursday, November 12, 2009 at The National Liberty Museum. McCall Principal Carol Domb hosted the event, proclaiming McCall's Centennial Gala “an opportunity for current and past members of the McCall family, members of the local community, and local leaders to commemorate the school’s historic past and contribute to its future success.”
McCall Principal Carol Domb presents the General George A. McCall Elementary School Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement to First In Math creator Robert Sun. The plaque features a painting of the school as it would have looked circa 1911.
Cocktails and Hors D’oeuvres were served before a program honoring Sun and several other awardees, including United States Secretary of Energy Dr. Steven Chu, world-renown violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg and McCall alum Ao Kong. Sun was recognized for his dedication to creating "innovative educational tools that have fueled students' interest and excitement in learning." Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter served as Honorary Chair of the Centennial Committee, and delivered a passionate speech about the future of education in Philadelphia. Long-time CBS 3 Eyewitness News Anchor Pat Ciarrocchi served as the evening's emcee.
Since 1909, General George A. McCall Elementary School has served as a center of learning for Philadelphia’s immigrant children. To this day, McCall retains the unique and vast cultural diversity that is reminiscent of its beginnings a century ago.
In the early 1950's, immigrant children were assigned to MCall as part of a special program that taught English—the only such program in the US at that time. Children were sent to McCall from all over Philadelphia, as well as suburban areas, to learn English before transferring to other neighborhood schools. By 1953, McCall had as many as 200 students from more than 20 countries, including Ukraine, France, Japan, China, Greece, Puerto Rico, Germany, Hungary, Brazil, Cuba, Korea and African nations. McCall had become a place for children to learn how to assimilate, learn American customs, learn to read, write and socialize in the community. The school was at times referred to as a mini United Nations!
McCall expanded in 1966, adding a new gym and auditorium. By 1970, the school had an enrollment of 700—and a long waiting list. Today, McCall is still proud of its diverse, multicultural population, and continues to be one of the most highly-regarded K-to-8 public schools in Philadelphia.
"This Centennial Gala culminates the yearlong celebrations and historical activities for current and past McCall students," explains Principal Domb. "We are proud to celebrate 100 years of providing high-quality education to the children in Chinatown, Society Hill, Old City and Washington Square West neighborhoods."
Domb thanked all of the volunteers, including Centennial Committee President Laura Palickar and the Honorable Judge Annette Rizzo, who chaired the Program Committee. Proceeds from a Silent Auction and the sale of McCall Centennial Commemorative Items go directly to the school's "Science is Elementary" project, which aims to strengthen McCall's science education program.