Congratulations to the 2026 Award of Excellence Recipients

Rochelle Henderson—Former Teacher

Rochelle was an exemplary educator. She was instrumental in supervising the math, business, and science programs at SPHS from 2001 through 2009. While serving as the Math Department Head, she demonstrated her competence in subject expertise. She reinstituted the pre-calculus and calculus classes, she introduced her colleagues to creative ways to teach math, and she led them in various staff development sessions. In one session, for example, she showed them how they could use calculators as learning tools. In the Business Department, she led the charge to use computers to modernize the business programs. In the Science Department, she was instrumental in initiating an AP chemistry class. SPHS did not have working chemistry labs but that did not deter her. Rochelle and a colleague knew the importance of giving our students an equal opportunity to succeed so they acquired permission from the University of Pennsylvania to utilize its facilities so that our students could conduct the required chemical experiments. Rochelle knew the importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) way back then, so she took her time outside of school and escorted our female students to the Penn State-Abington campus to participate in math and science programs.

Rochelle managed multiple roles at SPHS. She was the Coordinator for the Mentally Gifted program where she bolstered self- esteem, planned future career fairs, arranged college visits, took students to Young Playwrights’ performances (Othello) and to movies (The Great Debate- a true story). She assisted with the school-wide testing program, kept the on-going SPHS data records, taught SAT prep on Saturdays for the College Access program at Community College of Philadelphia where some of our students were enrolled, and organized and coordinated one hour PSSA math workshops for every junior class from 2006 through 2009. She integrated the ESOL and African American students into a school community and served as a mentor to new teachers.

Rochelle’s contributions went far beyond her instructional responsibilities. She soared in her rapport with students and staff alike. She gave them guidance and support. Her compassion and leadership served as guiding lights to all who encountered her.

Dan Peou—Community Service

Daniel Peou came to America with his family January 1981 from Cambodia. They settled in South Philadelphia (3rd and Shunk) Daniel started his education at Taggart Elementary, as a child refugee and an ESOL in the early 1980’s then he attended Furness Junior High. He then went on to attend South Philadelphia High School and graduated in 1987.
Daniel started with the School District of Phila. In 1996 as a Bilingual Counseling Assistant for Francis Scott Key Elementary school. When finishing his post-secondary education in 1998 he was promoted to a teaching position at Eliza B. Kirkbride Elementary School. While teaching he attended graduate school and earned an M. Ed. In School Administration.
He was then promoted to principal, and he is the first principal of Cambodian descent in the state of Pennsylvania. He served as a principal of several schools, and today Daniel is the proud principal of Horace H Furness High School.
While still working for the School District of Phila., Daniel has also served since 2018 as a board of director on the community relations and development committee with Methodist Hospital/Jefferson Hospital foundation. Daniel served on Governor Tom Wolf’s Advisory Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs in the Commonwealth of Pa. from 2019 to 2021 Daniel has received many recognitions and accolades for his service in education and his community service throughout the state of Pennsylvania and the city of Philadelphia.

Barbara RiccI—Community Service

Barbara is a lifetime South Philadelphian with a kind and empathic heart. When Barbara was a child, she would be known to help her grandfather (who went blind from diabetic complications) by taking his hand and walking together on the boardwalk in Atlantic City. This left a lasting impact on Barbar’s life.
Barbara is a 1951 graduate from South Philadelphia High School. She attended West Chester State Teachers College.  After graduating in 1955, she went on to become an educator for the Philadelphia Public School System. Barbara taught fifth and sixth grades for 43 years, 30 years at Chester A. Arthur . In 1982 Barbara won the teacher of the year award. Also while teaching she earned a Masters degree in Early Childhood Education at Temple University. After retiring Barbara threw herself into the South Philadelphia Lions Club and from the years of 2017 to 2019 had the honor of being this chapter’s president. Barbara is still working as the Membership Director.
Today at the age of 91 Barbara uses her walker known as her “Johnny Walker” to get around for safety. She is still active, and her and Johnny Walker are known to do get around together.
Throughout her lifetime Barbara has received many, many awards for her humanitarian efforts.

Mary Hunt—Former Teacher

Mary Hunt was a Special Education teacher at SPHS with a heart of gold. She worked with the profound and severe special needs population during the year as well as in the summer. She serviced them with care and compassion. Most of her students could not talk but she had her way of communicating with them to address their most basic needs. She was the person who could “hear” what her students could not say. On a daily basis, she hand-fed them, changed their diapers, and washed their clothes. She understood that children with special needs required love, guidance, and encouragement just like all other children. To highlight that point, she entered her students in the Philadelphia Flower Show program for students, and they won first prize in one of the areas. Her skill set, empathy, patience, and genuine care for her students created a safe space where they were seen, valued, and understood.

She saw and celebrated their accomplishments that others may have missed. She took their hands, opened their eyes, and touched their hearts. She is a teacher to be celebrated. Mary taught at Southern from 1991 until her retirement in 2011.