Shervin Thompson named New Dobbins High School Principal

Let me preface today’s column, by sharing that I have a special relationship with many of the students at Dobbins High School, because of the Allegheny West Foundation, (AWF) Youth Program, a program I’ve been a part of, for almost a decade. The AWF Youth program operates during the school year and over the summer. The program has been in existence for at least three decades longer than I’ve been around the Allegheny West Foundation. Gotta give credit where credit is due.
Heck, City Councilwoman Cindy Bass, the councilperson for the 8th council district, where Dobbins H.S. sits and where many of the properties owned by AWF are located, has stated publicly many times, she got her first job as a teenager, via the Allegheny West Foundation summer youth jobs program. That program still exists today. Our youth started working at their summer jobs, the week of July 5th. Even during the pandemic last year, over the summer of 2020, AWF still managed to help 125 youth obtain a virtual summer job with all virtual work assignments. We couldn’t let our youth down. The city of Philadelphia couldn’t let them down. Kudos to the Philadelphia Youth Network, (PYN), for still making the summer youth jobs program happen, even in the pandemic.
Where do we get a lot of the youth who plug into the AWF youth programs? From Murrell Dobbins High School. The SCOOP Newspaper has further bragging rights, if-you-will, on Dobbins High School because the Publisher and Owner of the SCOOP, Sherri Darden is a proud graduate and Alumni of Dobbins High School. Darden credits her teachers from Dobbins for inspiring her to follow her dreams and for allowing her to be one of the students selected to participated in a “hands-on” work experience, called a “co-op.” as a part of her studies at Dobbins. The co-op assignment she had, all those years ago, led her to Broad and Girard, and ultimately, to R. Sonny Driver, the Founder and first publisher of the SCOOP Newspaper. Little did Darden know back then, that she would one day become the owner of the SCOOP.
Now for the real purpose of this column, hats off to Dr. Toni Damon, who has served as the principal at Dobbins High School for the last 9 years. Under her leadership, Dobbin High School’s star has risen. Not only did Dr. Damon connect with the students of Dobbins and their parents, she connected with community leaders, elected and civic leaders, business owners and other stakeholders.
On June 30th, she spearheaded a transition ceremony to welcome the new principal. Dr. Damon shared, “This has been a 9-year journey for me. When I got here, in 2012, they were closing various schools around the district. In my second year here, they were laying off teachers and staff, and assistant principals and there was very little support for new principals like me. I remember people who did support me. God said, “Your gifts will make a way for you.” When I think about Ms. Thompson, and the manner in which she came to me in my early years, as the principal and said, “Dr. Damon, I’ve got your back. Anything you need from me, just ask.”And she oversaw the entire CTE program so that I could focus on instruction and learning the School and District protocols. I am so proud and honored when I think back to four years ago when I participated in the Alumni in the 80th anniversary of the school. I brought Ms. Thompson to the podium with me, and I said then, this woman should be our next principal. Look at God. Look where we are today with Ms. Thompson”.
Dr. Damon is an award-winning principal, and the students who were at Dobbins under her tenure were blessed to have her there. She will be missed, and we wish her all the best in her next endeavors.
Murrell Dobbins High School is 85 years old now, but one thing is for sure. It’s never too late to recognize and hire a Dobbins Alumni to come back to their Alma Mater and lead. That’s exactly what’s happening with Shervon Thompson. Because of this historic decision by leaders of the school District of Philadelphia, Shervon Thompson because a “first.” Thompson graduated from Dobbins in 1996. During a welcome ceremony last week, Shervon Thompson said, “I give the honor, the glory and the praise to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. guarantee you I will partner with you to prepare every young person – every Mustang who walks through those doors. They will be ready to receive all of the opportunities that are going to be there for them.”
Shervon Thompson added, “To our Alumni Association, you are so phenomenal. It’s great to have roots and to be rooted in such things. It has developed a commitment in me, to ensure that my vision is locked on our Mighty Mustangs. To our mustang staff and families, you are awesome. Continue to love and be devoted toward our mustangs. We’re changing things. That’s who we are. We strive to build greatness. To Dr. Damon, you came just for me. Just for me. That’s how God is. It is so special when one person will come just for you. Thank you.”
Shervon Thompson’s appointment took effect on July 1st. All the best to the new principal of Dobbins High School.