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A 47-year education veteran, Dr. Gail Avicolli always desires to determine how she can improve children’s lives. The youths at the Philadelphia Performing Arts Charter School, 2600 S. Broad St., have been sampling her sincerity since 2005 and have become the latest batch of learners to gain from the leader’s tutelage. Readers have proclaimed Avicolli the top principal for her efforts to make her 11-year-old Marconi site the definition of a creative haven.
“This school has given me the most rewarding experiences,” the resident of the 3100 block of South 18th Street said, citing its vibrancy and her personnel’s energy. “I feel as if I am on a magic carpet ride.”
The Packer Park resident oversees 654 students, with 400 more set to become her charges when a second facility opens in September at the current Fels South Philadelphia Community Center, 2407 S. Broad St. The pupils and her 60 teachers often receive examples of her mentality through practices such as her giving her phone number to everyone to address situations quickly, reviewing all graded tests, taking the eighth-graders to Chinatown for lunch and offering gifts to the instructors. She finds herself so consumed with devising means to better her locale that even her weekends feature constant preparation.
“A principal needs to set the tone,” she said.
She enjoys noting the final three letters of her title spell “pal,” and she hopes her plans to accomplish more reminders of the students’ special place in her heart will prove fruitful.
“You have to love it,” she said of being a principal. “This honor is thrilling and exciting.”
Epiphany of Our Lord’s Patricia Cody ruled over second place, while Ss. Neumann-Goretti High School’s Patricia Sticco and St. Nicholas of Tolentine’s Sister Mary Esther Carsele shared the third spot.
Contact Staff Writer Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124.
2012 Readers’ Choice Award winners
Cuisine
Fuel: Soup; Hummus; Lunch menu (sit down); and healthiest menu
Geno’s Steaks: Cheesesteak
PrimoHoagies: Hoagie
John’s Roast Pork: Pork sandwich
SliCE: Specialty pizza
Penrose Diner: Diner
Ippolito’s Seafood: Seafood selection
Scannicchio’s Italian Restaurant: BYOB; Italian Restaurant; Dessert menu; Chef
Cantina Los Caballitos: Ethnic restaurant (non-Italian)
Birra: New restaurant
Night on the Town
South Philadelphia Tap Room: Craft beer selection
Popi’s Italian Restaurant: Celebrate a special occasion
Chickie’s & Pete’s: Friday happy hour; Bar menu; French fries
Sweet Tooth
Termini Bros.: Cannoli; Cookies
Italiano’s Water Ice: Water ice
Caffe Chicco: Iced coffee
People
Barbara Capozzi: Civic leader
Dr. Steven Moskowitz and Dr. William Mestichelli: Dentist
Johnny Looch: DJ
D. Olivieri Jewelers: Jeweler
Rev. Joseph Kelley: Priest/minister
Sports
Carl Arrigale: High school coach
Neumann-Goretti Saints: High school team
St. Monica: CYO program
Mike Schmidt: All-time pro athlete
Antonio "Scoop" Jardine: Local current college athlete
And the Rest …
Mummers Parade: South Philadelphia tradition
East Passyunk Avenue: Shopping center/district
Headhunters Hair Design: Salon
Roast beef sandwich: Category not on this list
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