‘Great Expectations’
for Philadelphians

By Lauren Fritsky
Times Staff Writer

An important constituency often goes unnoticed during election campaigns.
Though they can’t legally vote, teenagers still have a lot to contribute to the discussion and debate leading up to the selection of the next mayoral administration by way of their candid and creative visions of both the present and the future.
"Older people sometimes tend to say, ‘They’re just kids, they don’t know what they’re talking about,’" said Leshia Evans, 16, a Frankford resident who attends Bodine High School for International Affairs.
Through the "My Philadelphia" contest, Evans and other students expressed their cheers and jeers for the City of Brotherly Love. The competition was part of The Philadelphia Inquirer’s and the University of Pennsylvania’s Great Expectations election year project, which, through forums, research and reporting, seeks to facilitate a discussion on how Philly can become the "Next Great City."
The "My Philadelphia" contest was open to sophomores, juniors and seniors in Philadelphia high schools, or Philadelphia students attending high schools outside the city. Ashley Chavis, a 2006 graduate of Samuel Fels High School, won second place overall in the contest, while Evans and Castor Gardens resident and Northeast High grad Pamela Orrego were finalists.
All winners and finalists will have their work displayed during an event at the Inquirer building on Oct. 18.
"The goal of the competition was to add student voices and visions to the conversation about Philadelphia’s future," said Chris Satullo, Inquirer columnist and one of the co-directors of the Great Expectations project. "We were delighted with the number of creative entries we received. It made choosing the winners a difficult task. It is a real tribute to the winners."
Evans was a finalist for her poem Home of Brotherly Love?, which portrays a much darker side of the city. Evans writes about murder, drugs, poverty and corruption, saying, "…I want to grow up in what could truly be the city of brotherly love."
Evans says she’s stayed in tune with the world around her through her dad, who always talked with her about current events. She thinks the "My Philadelphia" contest gave other aware youths a chance to express themselves.
"It was a great way to let my generation’s voices be heard (and) to be recognized for their talent and what they thought," she said.
Orrego, 17, was a finalist for her art piece Reach Out, which depicts what she loves about Philadelphia.
Orrego said she always identified New York City as the epicenter of the East Coast, and was surprised to find that Philly boasted so much culture and history when she moved here from Uruguay seven years ago.
"Philly took me in," she said. "It has everything I like."
Her favorite spots include LOVE Park, South Street, museums and various concert venues such as the Theater of the Living Arts, the Electric Factory and Penn’s Landing’s Festival Pier.
Chavis, 17, who is now attending Kutztown University, used an old sneaker to create Take a Walk, a collage of the city’s strengths and weaknesses. She credits Bonnie Gevurtz, her art teacher at Fels, for encouraging her to enter the contest.
"It represents the city, the main attractions (like) the Liberty Bell, soft pretzels…that’s our positive part of the city," Chavis said of her project. "On the bottom, it shows the crime."
Among her great expectations for the city is the development of more after-school activities so that children can stay focused and out of trouble.
"It pretty much starts with the kids," Chavis said. "They’re the future." ••
For more information on Great Expectations and the My Philadelphia contest, visit www.greatexpectations07.com
Reporter Lauren Fritsky can be reached at 215-354-3038 or lfritsky@phillynews.com