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Board recognizes state football finalists, student awards and arts partners; Pennsylvania Regional Ballet donates tickets

Harrisburg City School District Board of School Directors · November 26, 2025

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Summary

The board highlighted student and community achievements — including the Harrisburg Mighty Cougars' PIAA District 3 Class 6A championship, a Student of the Year award, and a $15,000 in-kind donation from the Pennsylvania Regional Ballet that includes 1,000 complimentary tickets for district students.

Board members and district administrators used the Nov. 25 meeting to highlight recent student achievements and community partnerships. Superintendent and presenters recognized the Harrisburg Mighty Cougars as Pennsylvania PIAA District 3 Class 6A football champions and announced the team’s state semifinal game scheduled for Nov. 29 at Mansion Park Stadium in Altoona.

The district also recognized a string of school achievements: the Harrisburg marching band’s participation in the city’s holiday parade; Ben Franklin Elementary’s return appearance at the city tree-lighting ceremony; NJROTC cadet awards and promotions; and student Lewis Dillard’s 2025 Student of the Year honor from Omega Psi Phi. "He is one of the hardest working students I have come across," a district teacher said introducing Dillard’s award.

Representatives of the Pennsylvania Regional Ballet presented their education program and announced an in-kind donation valued at $15,000 and 1,000 complimentary Nutcracker tickets reserved for Harrisburg City School students. Vicki Silva, co-artistic director of the Pennsylvania Regional Ballet, described the group as a nonprofit pre-professional ballet school that offers performances and educational adaptations of The Nutcracker for elementary students. "We're happy to perform ... and we're so happy and grateful to be able to give Harrisburg school district tickets for the students to come see our performance of the Nutcracker," Silva said.

District administrators also publicly thanked local nonprofits and businesses — including River Rock Academy, Boys and Girls Club of Harrisburg, Fulton Bank and others — for Thanksgiving donations and community support. The superintendent closed the presentation segment by thanking staff and partners and wishing the community a happy Thanksgiving.