The Beginning of SGHSAA

Several members of the 1964 and 1965 classes that met annually at their class picnic created the Simon Gratz High School Alumni Association, Inc. in 1990. Not only did those alums want to fellowship as brothers and sisters but they also decided to create a mechanism of giving back to their beloved Simon Gratz. Their sole mission was to enhance the educational opportunities available to students and to economically support the goals and endeavors of those leaving the hallowed halls of Simon Gratz.

Since those early days in 1990 the Alumni Association has been achieving its goals and continues to grow as an organization. The Simon Gratz High School Alumni Association, Inc., is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization incorporated by the State of Pennsylvania as the only official body able to conduct business in the name of Simon Gratz High School Alumni Association, Inc. 

Our current and past achievements are:

• Annually award five $2,000 scholarships to worthy students from the Scholarship Fund named in honor of Barbara Wooden Purnell, class of 1963
• Funds "The Reading Is Fun Book Club"
• Issues stipends to 12 students who are participating in the Golden
  
• Jubilee Exchange Program in England
• Purchased Tuxedos for the school Jazz Band
• Hosted Pizza parties for classes with most improved attendance
• Funds and Chaperones off campus trips for students when
  needed
  
• Purchased refrigerators for the school
  
• Chaperoned Proms and other events when needed
  
  
  We have received awards, grants, monetary gifts and donations from:
• State Representatives Dwight Evans and Senator Shirley Kitchen
  
• State Senator Lee Ann Washington
  
• Sultan  Jihad Ahmad Community Foundation "Stop The Violence”
  
• PECO/Excelon Corporation
  
• Local 1776 United Food & Commercial Workers AFL-CIO's  Secretary and Treasurer Herman Wooden, and President, Wendell Young.
  
• Computers donated by Social Security Administration and The U.S. Forestry Dept.
  
• Private individuals
  
• City Council President Ted Blunt (Wilmington, DE) for the purchase of books
  
• The organization has approximately 1,900 names on its mailing list and publishes a quarterly newsletter called The
• Gratz Zone that keeps everyone informed of events and news in general.
  
• The SGHSAA, Inc. continues to look towards the future and is committed to keeping its eyes on the prize by encouraging supporting, modeling and mentoring the current students
  of Simon Gratz.

       All Hail Gratz High.


Our major fundraisers are:

• Oldies But Goodies Cabaret
  
• Jazz Brunch
  
• Bowling Party
  
• Christmas Party
  
• Awards Banquet

Biography of Simon Gratz (Lawyer, Educator)

Simon Gratz was a Lawyer and Educator, born in Philadelphia, October 18, 1840. His grandfather was a prominent colonial merchant largely engaged in the India trade, and his father Edward Gratz was active in the construction of the Pennsylvania Railroad.

Simon Gratz received his preparatory education in the classical School of Mr. Henry D. Gregory, and before he reached the age of thirteen was admitted as a member of the Freshman Class of the University of Pennsylvania. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor of Arts degree at the age of 16 and received his Masters of Arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania at the age of 20.

He entered the law office of Hon. Garrick Mallery and Furman Sheppard, and the Law Department of the University of Pennsylvania as a student of law. After completing his preparation for the legal profession, he was admitted to practice in the Courts of the City. Prior to his admission to the bar, and while still under the age of 21, he was elected a member of the House of Representatives of Pennsylvania. He served one term, and declined to be a candidate for re-election.

Shortly after his admission to the bar, he secured the appointment of Assistant City Solicitor, and held this position for three years. During this time he was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the United States.

At the close of 1869, he was appointed to the Board of Public Education and immediately made Chairman of the Committee on the Girl's Normal School. Mr. Gratz twice served terms as President pro-tem of the Board of Education but declined twice to be a candidate for Presidency.

He was widely known for his active labors for the advancement of educational interests in Philadelphia and his ability to develop a comparatively primitive conditioned High School into modern and well functioning High School with the types of large additions and buildings admirably adapted to their purpose.

He served on the Board of Revision of Taxes of Philadelphia as President, Board of Trustees of the Philadelphia Public Library, Chairman of the College Committee of the School Board, Trustee of the Jefferson Medical College, the Philadelphia Museums and was a life member of several state historical societies.

He resigned from the Board on May 10, 1921 after serving continuously for over 51 years. Mr. Gratz died on August 21, 1925 and in September of that year a Special Committee of the Board was appointed to draft resolutions on the death of Simon Gratz. The Committee resolved that a school in the honor of Gratz would be erected and named for the honoree. the school was built at 17th and Luzerne Streets and in 1927 the cornerstone was laid for the Simon Gratz High School with the school colors of Cherry and White.