2024 Award of Excellence

George Anderson : Retired Teacher and Coach

George is a n native of New York City, graduated from Evander Childs HS (1965) earned a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education from Florida A&M University (1969) and Master of Arts (Public Administration)- Antioch University (1987)

His Professional Carrer includes the School District of Philadelphia (1969-2013) at Roosevelt JHS (1969-1975) as health and physical education teacher and coach and Physical Education Dept. Chairman, Simon Gratz HS (1975-1979) health and physical education teacher and coach ( boys track, boys cross country, girls jv basketball).
At South Philadelphia HS (1979-2004), health and physical education teacher, coach (boys track, boys varsity basketball, boys an atd girls cross country, boys and girls soccer, girls jv basketball). George also worked for the Philadelphia Department of Recreation -Assistant Recreation Leader (1969-1994) Mallery Playground.

George is the Founder/Coach of the Mallery Challengers Track Club (1971-present), Charter Member of the United Age Group Track Coaches Association(UAGTCA),
Usher Deliverance Evangelistic Church (1992-1994) and Deacon Bethel Deliverance International Church (1995-present) He married Avery Carter in 1971, has 3 children (Michael, Mark, Shalisha) and 7 granddaughters.

Stephen Michielli, Class of 1968 : Community Service

Stephen attended St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Edmond’s elementary school. After graduating eight grade he attended Vare Jr. High for ninth grade. From there he attended Southern High School and then he took up the trade prep and picked the printing as his main choice, with the desire to become a printer. During this time he worked under the direction of Mr. Larry Chialastri in the printing shop. After graduating Southern he went into the printing industry worked at Zabel Brothers at that time Zabel Brother was responsible for printing all of the Topps cards. While working at Zabel brothers he entered the United States Navy and served during the Vietnam War. After completed his tour Stephen returned to Zable Brothers until their closure. He then went to work at Cozen & O’Conner Law firm and Mc Carter and English as Mail Rooms Supervisor. Stephen retired on December 31, 2014. After his retirement he was in charge of Our Lady of Calvary as the coordinator of the lunch monitors.

Stephen coached CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) at St. Edmond, Our Lady of Loretta (Southwest Philadelphia) St. Monica and Delaware Valley for a combined 35 year coaching career. Stephen was CYO Girls Basketball Commissioner for Region 6 for 30 years, Region 1 (Southwest Philadelphia) and Northeast Region, for a combined 35 years.

He ran many different youth leagues, which included (block ball, basketball and floor hockey) for all ages for girls and boys within the Region 6 CYO, out of the Dixon House, St. Edmond summer youth,
Murphy Recreation Center and Guerin Recreation Center. He then creates the Jackson Youth program which was also geared to all the children between the ages of five year old up to High School, within the South Philadelphia areas. He also restarted up the (EOM) Edward O’Malley grade school and High School girls leagues after a couple of years absence. He is also co-director of the NCAA Women DII basketball league, that is run out the Renegades, in Horsham, PA.

Stephen is an Extraordinary Minister since 1974. Raised two boys (Jason & Christopher) along with his wife Rita. He has received awards from the City Council and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania House of Representatives for his dedication to the area youth. He has officiated girls and boys basketball at the grade school and high school level for over 50 years, within the Philadelphia and Suburban areas along with a DIII women’s college basketball. He has dedicated almost his entire life to the youth of South Philadelphia and was honored with being inducted in the CYO Region Hall of Fame in 2017.

Placido Michael Moffa, Class of 1964 : Service to the Alumni

Placido a.k.a. Mike Moffa graduated from Southern in June 1964. After leaving school, he worked for seven years as a manager of a jewelry manufacturing firm on Sansom Street in center city Philadelphia. While working at the jewelers, he also enrolled in night school at LaSalle College, which only lasted one year, as during that time is when he became interested in photography and dropped out of college. He joined a camera club and read everything about photography that he could, furthering his education in photography. In fact, in 1967 he photographed his sister-in laws wedding as they couldn’t afford to hire a professional photographer. Not having a professional camera, he rented one from a local camera shop. In 1970 he married his wife, Kathy, and they celebrated their 54th anniversary this year. During that year he worked for several wedding photographers to further his knowledge. In 1971 although not ready to go into business for himself, he opened Moffa Photography.

That’s where the name Mike came from as he went by his middle name, as he feared people wouldn’t remember or be able to pronounce his real name. During the 70’s he became very involved in the Guild of Professional Photograhers of Delaware Valley, and in 1978 became their president. Several years later he joined The Professional Photographers of Pennsylvania and sat on the Board of Directors for 21 years. During the 70’s and 80’s he also received many awards for blue ribbon prints from the Guild, The Professional Photographers of Pennsylvania and the Professional Photographers of America. In 1994, Moffa was contacted by the head secretary of Southern to ask if he was interested in photographing the high school senior portraits. He accepted, and continued to do Southern’s senior portraits for 19 years. Shortly after that he was asked if he would photograph the Hall of Fame banquet, and has been doing so ever since.

In 2013 he was honored with a blue ribbon entry from the Professional Photographers of America which became a loan collection print which is the most prestigious award given. Feeling it was time to retire, the studio was closed in November of 2013. Today, Placido is the newly elected Deputy Grand Knight of Council 1436 of the Knights of Columbus in Delran New Jersey. He has three wonderful children, five grandchildren and one grand pup.

Louis Pinto, Class of 1974 : Alumni Executive Committee Memberr

Lou Pinto was born and raised in South Philadelphia. Although he now resides in Huntingdon Valley, Pa. he has exemplified, past and present a commitment to the community he came from, the city of Philadelphia and where he is from now.

Louis attended SPHS from September of 1971 to his graduation on June 18th, 1974. He is a Lifetime SPHS Alumni member and has been a member of the SPHS Alumni Association Executive Board since 2015. Sharing duties as Social Media Director with Liz Olivieri and helping out on other committees, such as SPHS Apparel and the Southern-Neumann Thanksgiving Day Football game.

Since 1975 he has entertained children (and adults) of all ages as Bubbles Louie the Clown. Performing for several charities; Angels of Christmas (where he is on the board for these past 29 years), for the U.S. Armies families, Founding Hearts of Philadelphia (a Charter and board member also) Kevin from Heaven, and The Rose Ball, just to name a few.

He has been very proud to write for Philadelphia RowHome Magazine since 2015 and has sponsored several Wishrock scholarships for deserving young adults from the community. He is also a proud sponsor of the Yo’ South Philly Phestival and organizer and Marschel of the Columbus Day Parade.

He is also a member of the South Philadelphia Business Association and a South Philadelphia Lion (Chapel of the Four Chaplains Charter). What Lou is most proud about is Family. He is the very proud Dad to three lovely Daughters and their husbands, and Poppi to four gorgeous Granddaughters, with (at the time of this writing) another Granddaughter on the way. And he has been blessed with Friends that he has and always will consider Family.