Savannarose Keenan (285) and Julia Silva (285)

Central High School carries prestige for being one of the best high schools in not just the city of Philadelphia but the state as well. Standing as the second oldest school in the city, Central is known for its high academic standards, athletics, and other extracurricular activities. Due to this, graduates from the first graduating class all the way to the 282nd graduating class stand out for their accomplishments.

Most Philadelphians have heard of the Barnes Foundation. What they may not have known is that Albert C. Barnes went to Central. He was among the 92nd class and was an American pharmaceutical scientist who accumulated one of the largest collections of French art. Barnes also worked alongside other scientists to develop an antiseptic used to treat blindness in infants. 

Next on the list is Larry Fine, a member of the Three Stooges, who was a part of the 181st class. The Three Stooges were a comedy group who made films, first appearing on Broadway. They produced their first full film in 1930 called “Soup to Nuts” and went on to achieve great success, eventually earning a place on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 

The list would not be complete without an athletic mention. John Marzano, a member of the 240th class, had a successful career as a catcher in Major League Baseball (MLB), playing for the Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, and Boston Red Sox. During his time at Central, he played third base and wore number 20 in honor of his hometown hero, Mike Schmidt. After going to Steve Boro’s (third baseman for the Detroit Tigers and later Coach for the Kansas City Royals) baseball camp, he transitioned to become a catcher. Before going to the big leagues, Marzano played for Temple University’s baseball team and was later inducted into their sports hall of fame in 1998. During his time at Temple, he had a .413 batting average, which was the highest in the school’s history. He was third in RBI’s with 147, second in slugging with a .676, and tied for sixth in home runs with 25. In 1981, Marzano was named the “City Player of the Year” by Philadelphia Daily News and received first team All-State honors.

Central has also produced a handful of brilliant writers. Among those is famous author and playwright Quiara Alegría Hudes, a member of the 254th class. She has written books such as My Broken Language, which is a compelling narrative of her life and family that delves into themes of culture, language, and the journey to discover and shape one’s identity. Notably, Hudes co-wrote the famous musical “In the Heights” in collaboration with Lin-Manuel Miranda, marking one of the first Latin musicals on broadway. Audiences connect with her work and can take away the idea that what you do and who you are matters. Hughes has also won awards for her works, including the Pulitzer-prize winning playwright for “Water by the Spoonful.”

Central High School continues its legacy through its notable alumni. Besides the four mentioned here, countless others have made a significant impact. The school’s staff generates an atmosphere that empowers students to strive and achieve their goals. Thanks to this, we, as Central students, come to learn and leave as proper individuals ready to achieve greatness. We are Central’s finest!