Bright and early Saturday morning was the launching time for Passport to Excellence, a day-long workshop of soccer skill building, community service, conflict resolution workshops, and most importantly, friend-making. The Shipley School and The Starfinder Foundation partnered in this program which reaches out to city kids and brings them together with suburban kids in an integration of sports skill building and character development.  With volunteers from City Year (an AmeriCorps program with nearly 1,000 young people in full-time volunteer service in communities across the country), as well as Shipley faculty, students, and parent volunteers and soccer coaches from local clubs, the kids had a non-stop day of fun, sports, education, and cultural awareness.

The sports equipment drive was held for two weeks in all divisions of the school and will provide many families in the Philadelphia area with soccer balls and cleats, lacrosse sticks, footballs, and baseball equipment.

Starfinder President and founder Tony Williams had this to say about the partnership.  "The Shipley School is a living example of everything we are trying to achieve at The Starfinder Foundation. We are so grateful for the support and encouragement that Head of School Steve Piltch and the Shipley staff, students, and families have given to provide hope and inspiration to those less fortunate than ourselves. Everyone at Starfinder looks forward to a wonderful partnership and an exciting future together."

During the community service component of the day students made snowmen decorations for families staying at Philadelphia's Ronald McDonald House, holiday cards for residents at Dunwoody, get well cards for patients at local hospitals, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for Caring About Sharing. As Steve Piltch, Head of School said in his monthly letter to parents. ” In pursuing educational excellence, the development of love of learning, and compassionate participation in the world, it is essential that the School upholds and promotes moral integrity, a sense of personal achievement and worth, and concern for others at school and in the larger community. These are our essence as we strive to educate the whole student.”

At the end of the day smiles were seen on the faces of all who had participated. The participants had made a difference to others in the global community with their service efforts as our volunteers had made a difference to them with their help and friendship. They had not only learned about the sport of soccer and the world, but they had learned about each other.

January 2004