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Calling all basketball enthusiasts!

Join us to kick off the registration for the 2012 Score 4 Scholarships Basketball Tournament at a happy hour at the famous Chickie's & Pete's sports bar.

RSVP now!

Featuring:

• Signature Chickie's & Pete's appetizers
• Cash bar with premier drink specials exclusively for our guests
• Giveaways
• Team registration

All teams that register at the event will be entered into a raffle to win 2 tickets to the Sixers/Denver Nuggets game that night! In addition, some of our celebrity coaches will be at the kick off to meet the registering teams and players.

$20 donation requested per person unless you sign your team up onsite.

Where: Chickie's & Pete's Crab House and Sports Bar
1526 Packer Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19145

When: Wednesday, January 18, 5:30-7:30 pm

The Philadelphia Scholars Program raised over $50,000 during its 5th annual Score 4 Scholarships Basketball Tournament and celebratory soiree. 

On Sunday, we had an exciting day of basketball games at the University of Pennsylvania’s historic Palestra Gymnasium. The tournament ended with a nail-biting championship game played by Fox Rothschild and the Visiting Nurse Group. Fox Rothschild won in the last minute of play. Congratulations to Fox Rothschild and to all of our players!

In between games, players and spectators heard the inspiring stories of several students. Ashley Moore, a current Scholar, thanked the players, noting that their participation “really makes a difference.” The Philadelphia Scholars Program awards college scholarships, renewable up to six years,  to graduates of Philadelphia public high schools.

Thank you to our 2011 tournament sponsors: Comcast, Fox Rothschild, Pepper Hamilton LLP, Vetri Foundation for Children, Morgan Stanley, Osteria, University of Pennsylvania Athletics, and Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals. A special shout-out to the event’s many volunteers, including our wonderful referees, who made sure that participants and spectators had an enjoyable experience.

We also send a special thanks to Marc Vetri, Jeff Michaud, and Jeff Benjamin who graciously opened the doors of their acclaimed restaurant, Osteria, to us on Monday evening following the tournament. At Osteria, Kareem Edwards, a Scholars alum who is now a teacher in the School District of Philadelphia, announced, “I am going to donate tonight. I hope all of you will as well.”

Later in the evening, Karen Stokes of the Philadelphia Education Fund announced an anonymous matching gift of $25,000 to the Philadelphia Scholars Program. Help us meet the match by donating today!

For more information about the Philadelphia Scholars Program and how you can help support tomorrow’s leaders, please contact Karen Stokes, Senior Development Officer, at 215-665-1400 ext. 3329 or kstokes@philaedfund.org.

On Sunday, April 11^th, players, fans, and Philadelphia Scholars Program supporters gathered a the historic Palestra Gymnasium at the University of Pennsylvania for the fourth annual Score 4 Scholarships Basketball Tournament. The tournament featured an "NCAA Style" bracket that included three competitive divisions with eight basketball teams in each division.

Congratulations to the winning teams:

9am: Fox Rothschild, LLP

12pm: Legends of the Palestra

3pm: Johnson, Fenner & Levy

New to the tournament, the H-O-R-S-E competition gave players, including nine year old Liam Ward (pictured right), another opportunity to shoot some hoops and participate in the fun.

The excitement didn't stop at the tournament! On Monday, April 12^th, Osteria co-owners Marc Vetri, Jeff Michaud, and Jeff Benjamin graciously opened their restaurant for the annual Soiree at Osteria. While enjoying Osteria's ambiance and delicious food, guests raised a celebratory glass to the success of the annual basketball tournament.

Throughout the tournament and Soiree at Osteria, the Philadelphia Scholars in attendance reminded the crowd of the real reason for the events: to raise money and awareness in support of the Philadelphia Scholars Program. Shanee Garner, a 2003 West Philadelphia High School graduate and 2007 Chestnut Hill College graduate, thanked attendees for their commitment to public education. "Creating opportunities for one," Garner reflected, "can have rippling effects for all."

Honorable Seth Williams, Philadelphia District Attorney (pictured below), was also present to celebrate the success of the annual tournament, and he praised the work of the Philadelphia Scholars Program. Williams, a Central High School graduate, remarked about the importance of quality public education and stated that, "a lack of education leads to a lack of opportunities."

With support from sponsors and generous contributions from individuals, the Philadelphia Scholars Program raised over $50,000 to support its Last Dollar college scholarships! Photographs from the event were also featured on the Philadelphia Magazine's website.

Finally, we would like to express our deepest gratitude and say “thank you so much” to John Dugan and the tournament’s referees. This year is their fourth year of officiating and their participation is critical to the tournament’s success! All of the games were called in a fair and professional manner. The Philadelphia Scholars Program would also like to thank its numerous sponsors, who were also critical to the tournament's success.

> View photographs from the tournament

> View photographs from the Soiree at Osteria

> View 2010 tournament sponsors

Do you have what it takes to slam dunk for Scholars and win this year's coveted trophy?

The 4^th Annual Score 4 Scholarships Basketball Tournament will take place on Sunday, April 11^th, at the historic Palestra at the University of Pennsylvania. It's sure to be a exciting day filled with fun, food, and friendly competition!

There are a few ways you can participate in this exciting event:

• Sponsor a team: What basketball fan wouldn't want to play at the historic Palestra? Organize or sponsor a team to play in the tournament. All players receive complimentary lunch, beverages, and T-shirts. 
• Cheer on your Favorite Team: Bring a friend, bring a neighbor, bring your family, but most of all, bring your enthusiasm!
• Play H-O-R-S-E: For all you Mike Missanelli fans, here's your chance to take on the 97.5 The Fanatic/950 ESPN Radio host in a game of H-O-R-S-E
• Volunteer:We're always looking for energetic individuals interested in volunteering.

For more information on sponsoring a team or voluteering, contact Karen Stokes, 215-665-1400, ext. 3329 or kstokes@philaedfund.org.

> View photographs from previous tournaments