The Public Record • March 5, 2009
page 10
Charter School Renamed For Sen. Hardy Williams
IT WAS standing room only at newly renamed Hardy Williams Academy Charter School with an audience of over 400 family, friends, neighbors, students and parents. Pictured here are a few of the many, including State Sens. Anthony Williams and LeAnna Washington, State Rep, Kenyatta Johnson, Elmer Smith, Rev. Damon Jones, Ben Rayer and forPhoto by Martin Regusters, Leaping Lion Photography mer students.
Over 300 people filled The Renaissance Advantage Charter School auditorium to celebrate Black History Month and the school’s 10th anniversary by rededicating RACS as the Hardy Williams Academy Charter School. The RACS leadership chose to rename the school after Williams to recognize the local leader and help inspire students about their own potential to succeed. “Most people look at their dad as their hero. I’m very humbled others have seen in him what I knew him to be, not just as a father but as a man,” said State Sen. Anthony H. Williams, cofounder of RACS and the chair of its board of trustees. “I didn’t always want to follow in his footsteps as a State Senator, but later in life I saw in him an immense passion and dedication to his community that I wanted to emulate.” During the ceremony a group of RACS students presented video clips of interviews with people whose lives were shaped by the elder Williams, like former Mayor Wilson Goode and the current Sen. Williams. The program included musical performances by students and board member Dawn Chavous and remarks by RACS officials, State Rep. Kenyatta Johnson, Daily News journalist Elmer Smith and the Williams family. Alumni presented RACS’ history and read tributes from State Rep. Dwight Evans, Mayor Michael Nutter and Gov. Edward Rendell. “I thank God for Hardy Williams, and that set of leaders who came when we need
it so much,” Smith said. “To put the name Hardy Williams on this school is a tribute in some sense to a man who deserves a tribute, but more importantly it’s a challenge to all who come after him.” Black History Month is a time to recognize the accomplishments of African Americans and those individuals who continue to leave a lasting legacy, and the elder Williams is a prime example. “Sen. Hardy Williams never took no for an answer. He had the courage to be a pioneer, and now we stand on his shoulders,” said Charles Highsmith, CEO of RACS. Highsmith believes this new role model will have an impact on school pride and student accomplishments because they can connect to the elder Williams’ story. “[Sen. Hardy Williams] created his own way through hard work and his belief that it could be done and it was time to be done. His example will help students realize that through their hard work and dedication they can get people to support them in their goals and dreams.” Williams, a Philadelphia native, attended Penn State University and received an LLD from the University of Pennsylvania. He practiced for a time as an attorney, but an upbringing with limited means inspired him to enter a career in public service. The dramatic and straighttalking father of the Black independent political movement in Philadelphia, Williams was never afraid to challenge “politics as usual” by breaking party and racial lines.
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