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West Philly H.S. Students Mark Passage Through 'TOP' Program

By Mike Dougherty

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- About 70 freshmen at West Philadelphia High School were honored this morning for their completion of a teen outreach program.

The Teen Outreach Program ("TOP") is a national initiative that's new to Pennsylvania.  Associate director Carmen Davenport Bright says it's designed to help students with the transition from middle school to high school.

"(It) gives the teens a set of curricula based around self-esteem, making healthy choices, community service, learning projects," she explained.

One of the students, Antonio Hanton, believes TOP will help set him up for success.

"I just want to help my mom and my two brothers better their lives, just like I want to better my own life," he said today.

He says the program helped him put things into perspective and taught him to be a better person.

 

 

 

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