Delaware high schools have produced rock stars and sports standouts. Scientists and movie stars. And, yes, the president of the United States of America.
But being the first Delaware high school graduate to reside in the White House doesn't just make an alumnus notable.
Delaware Online/The News Journal is highlighting the many things Delaware graduates are doing in the real world.
The following isn't a list of themostnotable graduates, though in some cases, like for Archmere Academy, that rings true. Some schools in Delaware are newer, and thus have a smaller alumni pool.
The list is compiled alphabeticallyby school. If you have suggestions for graduateswe missed, e-mail rcormier@delawareonline.com.
Alexis I. du Pont
Earl Cooper, class of 2011
Cooperwas on the A.I. golf team and attended Wilmington University before transferring to Morehouse College in Atlanta. In 2010, Cooperhelped Morehouse, among the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities, win the PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship in Division II. His impact after college golf has been large. Cooper becamethe first African-American golf professional in the 120-year history of Wilmington Country Club. He is dedicated to growing the game among Black youth.
Appoquinimink
Ben Stewart, class of 2019
What makes Stewart notable actually started as hissenior project at Appoquinimink when he created Blooket, a now-popular game-based learning platform. "I was getting bored with other classroom review games and thought that I could do more," he said. In addition to his creation, which now boasts more than 10 million registered users, his high school years included being senior class president andcaptain of the tennis team. He then wentto Duke University where he studiedcomputer science. But with his product taking off thanks to its customizable games, perfect for Zoom calls in the COVID-19 age, he dropped out to focus on Blooket full-time and now leads a team of employees.
Archmere
Joe Biden, class of 1961
Biden was once a stuttering boy and athlete at Archmere, where he blossomed as a teenagerand became class president. He began his political career in Delaware some 50-plus years ago. It took him from New Castle County Council and the U.S. Senate all the way to the White House. Biden is the first U.S. president to come from Delaware— pretty notable, huh?
Brandywine
George Thorogood, class of 1968
Growing up in Brandywine Hundred, Delaware’s most famous rocker once told Delaware Online/The News Journal that going into Wilmington as a kid was a big deal, adding that he always felt there was something “dangerous” about going into The Grand as a teenager. Back then, his independent streak, long hair and big mouth caused problems for him at Brandywine High School. In the years since, that attitude (and iconic songs such as "Bad to the Bone") has made him a rockname known far and wide.
Cab Calloway
Sarah McBride, class of 2009
McBride has made a lot of history in the dozenyears since she graduated from Cab Calloway. After attending American University, where she was student body president and interned in the Obama White House, McBride became the national press secretary for the Human Rights Campaign. Earlier this year, following the November elections, McBride was sworn in as the country's first openly transgender state senator.
Cape Henlopen
Bryan Stevenson, class of 1977
A graduate of Harvard Law School and the Harvard School of Government, Stevenson is the founder of theEqual Justice Initiative, a nonprofit thatprovides representation to prisoners who may have beenwrongly convicted. His childhood in Milton included attending a segregated elementary school in rural Sussex County. For years, he has worked on behalf of wrongfully convicted prisoners, securing reversals, relief or release for more than 140wrongly condemned prisoners on death row. Stevenson spent five years working to exonerate wrongly convicted death row inmateWalter McMillian in Alabama. That story became a book and later a 2019 hit movie, "Just Mercy," which starred Michael B. Jordan as Stevenson.
Caravel Academy
Darnell Savage Jr., class of 2015
The football star, who played collegiately at the University of Maryland, had his number 7 retired by Caravel in 2019. Savage, a safety, was a first-round pick by the Green Bay Packers in 2019 and has been a mainstay on their defense since entering the NFL. Before the current season began,Savage hadstarted all 29 games that he played in. And in 2020,he had a career-high fourinterceptions as the Packers reached the NFC Championship game.
Caesar Rodney
Natalie Morales-Rhodes, class of 1990
A journalist, Morales-Rhodes worked as an anchor or co-anchor onNBC's "Today" for 15 years before leaving earlier this year. She can now be seen as a co-anchor of CBS' "The Talk" alongsideSheryl Underwood,Jerry O'Connell and others.Morales did not attend Caesar Rodney for long. The U.S. Air Force brat was born in Taiwan, lived inPanama,BrazilandSpainbefore her family moved to Delawarefor her senior year of high school, livingon Dover Air Force Base.
Charter School of Wilmington
Madinah Wilson-Anton, class of 2011
It was just last year when former legislative staffer Madinah Wilson-Anton defeated her Republican opponent, making herthe first practicing Muslimin the General Assembly and, at 27, is one of the youngest elected. The Newark native and University of Delaware graduate'swin came after she surprised all a few months earlier with a Democratic primary victory over her old boss, Rep. John Viola, whose career ended after a 22-year run.
Christiana
Jonathan "Sap" King, class of 2008
King points to Christiana High School asone of the first places that recognized his talent, even paying respect to his old school and home state in his song "O Eight.” But it's his work with the later rapper Mac Miller that put him on the map,co-writing and producing Mac Miller songs "Donald Trump" and "Watching Movies." He has since worked with everyone fromChris Brown and Tyga toRick Ross and Nas. He may have been born in Chester, but he moved to Newark young and he represents us in song, so he's ours!
Concord
Ron Suskind, class of 1977
Born in upstate New York, the author grew up in Wilmington and sharpened his pen at Concord. It must have worked. The Pulitzer Prize-winner is a widely respected journalist who got his start at the Wall Street Journal before writing books ranging from "Hope in the Unseen" in 1998 to 2014's "Life, Animated: A Story of Sidekicks, Heroes, and Autism," which was turned into adocumentary. It won two Emmy Awards and was nominated for best documentary feature at the Academy Awards.
Conrad Schools of Science
Bonnie Lane, class of 1972
How do you know someone hasmade a mark? If their biography is eight pages long and most of it is filled withawards and honors received.Over 45 years in health education in Delaware — nearly all with Delcastle Technical High School— Lane stands on her own. She hasco-founded theDelaware Women's Alliance for Sport & Fitness nonprofit in 1994, had HIV research published in a peer-reviewed medical journal and received many states, regional, and national awards for teaching. The University of Delaware graduate is a member of Conrad's Hall of Fame and was the 2021Delaware Health Teacher of the Year, her third win.She also received the Innovative Delaware Educator Award sponsored by the University of Delaware earlier this year.
Delcastle Technical
Shylla Haskins, class of 1990
Haskins is the global head and executive director of global supplier quality management at the major pharmaceutical company Merck. After more than five years with the company, sheleads a team responsible for providing quality technical oversight of 12,000-plussuppliers that provide necessary materials and services to Merck sites across the globe. She is a 1994 graduate of North Carolina A&T State University, where she graduated with honors with a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering. Haskinsholds an MBA from Wilmington University andis amember of Delta Sigma Theta sorority.Previous to Merck, Haskinsworked at various other pharmaceutical companies, includingAstraZeneca, Auxilium/Endo and Purdue.
Delmar
Dave Hearn,class of 1974
When you think about Delmar athletics, especially football, Hearn is the name that comes to mind. It makes sense. After all, he put in the time. After about 30 years was athletic director, Hearn retired from the job earlier this year. But he didn't want theCOVID-19-marred football season last year to be his finalmemory of his beloved team as head coach, so returned to sidelines to coach once again.His team went 7-4, losing in the playoffs to Wilmington Friends in a 21-20 heartbreaker. But Hearn has plenty of Division II football championships to his name:2000, 2001, 2002, 2009 and 2017. Now that's a legacy.
Delmarva Christian
Mallary Gum, class of 2011
Gum is a clinical pharmacistin a Level Itrauma center at Chippenham Hospital in Richmond, Virginia. But how did she get there? Her journey began atDelmarva Christian where she wassalutatorian and received awards in spiritual and athletic leadership and spent free time volunteering at Seaford's Nantico*ke MemorialHospital. Gum then graduated Campbell University in North Carolina, spendingtwo years inaccelerated pre-pharmacy studies before earning her Doctor of Pharmacy degree.Before starting at Chippenham last year, served asclinical pharmacist at Sentra Norfolk General Hospital in Virginia.
Dickinson
Gary Smith, class of 1971
Smith’s career began at The News Journal papers – The Morning News and Evening Journal – as a part-time sports clerk compiling results and writing local stories. He initially covered high school football games as a correspondent before his 15th birthday. In 1982, Smith became a Sports Illustrated contributor and eventually joined the staff becoming a must-read for his detailed articles.He has won four National Magazine Awards, and had more stories than anyone appear in the annual Best American Sports Writing publication.Smith was a 2016 inductee to the National Sports Media Association Hall of Fame, honoring a career in which his long-form writing for Sports Illustrated brought him national acclaim. Locally, he was named to theDelaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame last year.
Delaware Military Academy
Tony Peters, class of 2006
Peters, a native Philadelphian,is a graduate from the inaugural class of Delaware Military Academy. He accepted a full NROTC scholarship to Drexel University in 2006, graduatingcum laude in the applied engineering degree program for both mechanical and electrical engineering. In 2010,Peters earned his commission through the University of Pennsylvania NROTC unit and was accepted to the Navy Pilot training program.He served in various roles with Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 70 "Spartans,"where he has flown in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Inherent Resolve, Northern Storm, and the Annexation of Crimea in 2014. Peters now works as an aerospace engineer designing spacecraft for the Space and Naval Warfare Systems command in Washington, D.C. He is currently completing a masters degree in aeronautics with a concentration in space systems from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Dover
Andrew Morgan, class of 1994
Born into a military family, Morgan moved to Delaware when they wererelocated to Dover Air Force Base. Morgan attended the United States Military Academy inWest Point, New York, and graduated in 1998. He is an emergency physician in the U.S. Army with sub-specialty certification in primary care sports medicine.Morgan was selected in June 2013 as one of eight members of the 21st NASA astronaut class.Morgan conducted seven spacewalks totaling 45 hours and 48 minutes, an American record for a single spaceflight. His 9-month stay on ISS was the fourth longest duration mission by an American astronaut, according to NASA.
Early College High School
Destiny King, class of 2018
With only four graduating classes so far,Early College High School at Delaware State University is still a new kid on the block. The school, which allows students toearn up to 60 college credits for free while in high school, points toDestiny King as an early stand-out graduate. It took her only two years to earn herbachelor's degree in biological sciences in health professions with a minor in chemistry at DSU. She stayed there and is now working towards her Master's degree in the university's chemistry program and may also go for a PhD. The member of both National Society of Collegiate Scholars and the National Honor Society is still deciding what field she wants to enterafter college.
First State Military Academy
Tyler Martin, class of 2019
In only its seventh year in operation, Martin stands out as an early product of Clayton's First State Military Academy. He is currently a junior at The Citadel (Military College of South Carolina), although he is academically a seniordue to the dual enrollment courses offered at the Delaware military academy. He is currently studying intelligence and national security with a criminal justice minor after earning a three-year U.S. ArmyROTC scholarship. The Newark native was recently promoted tofirst sergeant withintheCorps of Cadets, leading the 103-cadet strong Papa Company.
Glasgow
Vaughn BondJr., class of 1985
On the football field for Glasgow, the captain of the team was simply known as "The Doctor," "striking terror into the hearts of running backs" as the yearbook once read. Once he hung up his helmet, he traded it for a police uniform and served with New Castle County Police for three decades before leaving a few months back to lead the county's Public Safety Department. When named as chief in 2017, he was the first African-American to hold the post.The Delaware State University graduate was also the county's first Black lieutenant colonel.
HodgsonVocational Technical
Bilal Nichols, class of 2014
For Nichols, his road to Soldier Field began at Hodgson. The Newark native shined as a Silver Eagle,helping lead Hodgson to the state title with a resounding38-0 victory in his senior year. He then stayed home and played for the University of Delaware before being selected bythe Chicago Bears in the fifth round in 2018. The starting defensive end will be a free agent at the end of this season.
Howard
Emma Belle Gibson Sykes, class of 1903
Born in Christianain 1885, thesuffragist and civil rights activist spent her 85 years on work fighting for equality. After graduating from a segregated Howard High in the early 1900s, she helped form theEqual Suffrage Study Clubin Wilmington. After theNineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified protecting the right to vote, Sykes hit the road and continued her fight nationally, traveling the country to register Black women voters.
Indian River
Fayetta Blake, class of 1974
A 2019 inductee into the Indian River High School Hall of Fame, Blake has been earning even more recognition since. Just a few months ago, Gov. Carneyinductedher into theDelaware Women’s Hall of Fame. So what makes Blake so notable? She is the founder and executive director ofPathways to Success, Inc., which got its start 15 years ago. The youth mentoring and education non-profit provides everything from youth programs and well-being services to fair housing and even adult education programs.
Lake Forest
Chester Scott, class of 1970
Scott was a member of Lake Forest's first graduating class and returned to the district to serve as a teacher for more than40 years. Scott taught physicaleducation, but was so much more. He served in many formal roles in the district (teacher, coach, special educator, mentor)and many informal roles (leader, friend, colleague, role model). When he decided to retire earlier this year, he was met with a surprise (COVID-19-era drive-by) retirement party surrounded by those whose lives he's touched. Asone former Lake Forest School District superintendent once said, "Chester is Lake Forest."
Laurel
Scott Sheridan, class of 1987
For 13 years, Sheridan was in charge of keeping the Philadelphia Phillies healthy as head athletic trainer. And,yes, that included their magical 2008 World Series season. He may have traveled the country for a living, but Sheridan's roots are back in Laurel, where he graduated from high school. He went on to study athletic training at West Chester University before earning his Master's degree in physical therapyfrom Neumann University. After more than a decade working as an athletic trainer and physicaltherapist for a private company, he made the leap to the majors and joined the Phillies. His run with the Phils ended in 2019 when he began a new job as director of sports medicine and performance for Major League Baseball.
Thomas McKean
Dom Perella, class of 1993
Students at Perella's alma matter know his current employer well. Well, most most high schoolers do. The 2012 McKean Hall of Fame inductee is vice president,deputy general counsel and chief compliance officer ofSnap Inc., the company behindthe multimediamobile appSnapchat. After McKean, he went on to study at the University of Virginia and NYU School of Law. After working as a law clerk for the first circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals andas an appellate partner withthe Hogan Lovells law firm. His work started with Snap in 2015 when it employed only 48 people and now sits among its leadership team.
Middletown
Chris Godwin, class of 2014
A few months after Middletown standout wide receiver Godwin graduated from high school, then-New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was busy winning his fourth Super Bowl. Fast-forward to today and Godwin is one of the favorite targets of the Hall of Fame-bound Brady, now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.Godwin parlayed his two-championship career at Middletown into a spot on the Penn State University roster, blossoming into an eye-catching play-maker.In his last collegiate game, he had acareer-high 187 yards on nine catches withtwo touchdowns in aRose Bowlloss. Picked in the third round of the NFL draft with the No. 84 pick, Godwin now hasa Super Bowl ring from last year and thrills football fans weekly asBrady's passes continue to drop into his hands.
Milford
Randy J. Holland, class of 1965
Born in New Jersey, Holland's family soon moved to Milford. That's where the former justice of the Delaware Supreme Court played football and baseball.After graduating from Swarthmore College,University of Pennsylvania Law School andUniversity of Virginia Law School, he wasappointed to the Supreme Court in 1986, making him the youngest person to serve on the DelawareSupreme Court. In 2009, he became the longest serving justice in the history of Delaware before retiring in2017.
MOT Charter
VishnuSomasundaram, class of 2018
Even with only three graduating classes,Somasundaram is among MOT's early successes. The University of Delaware senior, who is studying biomedical engineering in Newark, is a founding member ofa company fresh out of high school. Newark-based TRIC Robotics (tricrobotics.com), which countsSomasundaram aschief scientific officer,offersmobilerobots that use UV light as a substitute for pesticides.When Somasundaram isn't studying engineering, he's also helping with the company's business management. All this work isn't new for Somasundaram. He was busy in MOT days, too, with STEM programs such as Odyssey of the Mind andScience Olympiad, which he points to as major influences on his entrepreneurship.
Mount Pleasant
Kathy Jennings, class of 1971
Jennings' roadto becoming Delaware Attorney General in 2019 started at Mount Pleasant for the Wilmington native. After graduating fromUniversity of Delaware and Villanova University Law School, she joined the state's Department of Justice, where she worked as a state prosecutor before rising to chief deputy attorney general. After opening her own law firm and working for New Castle County for a short time, she ran for attorney general and won by 33 points.
Newark
Johnny Weir, class of 2002
Weir's family sacrificed for his Olympic dream of being a figure skater, even moving from his native Pennsylvania to Newark so he could train here. It seems to have paid off. Not only did Weir grow into a two-time Olympic skater with three national titles to his name, he has blossomed into a well-known pop culture and LBGTQ figure. He's seems to be everywhere, whether it's competing on "Dancing with the Stars" or having a "Family Guy" episode revolving around him. But it's his day job that keeps him busy: Weir remains a key Olympic commentator for NBC after seven years on air alongside his broadcasting partner Tara Lipinski.
Newark Charter
Mark McKenzie, class of 2017
They may have had only four graduating classes so far, but Newark Charter is already producing notable alumni, including McKenzie. Even though the Bronx-born, Bear-raised athletedid not complete high school career at NCS, he had a really good excuse. He transferred toPhiladelphia Union Academy while playing for the Union and living at his home in Delaware.Currently, he plays center-back fortheUnited States national team, as well astheBelgian Pro LeagueclubGenk.
Padua
Lisa Blunt Rochester, class of 1980
Rochester is the only person on our list known simply by three letters: LBR. Born in Philadelphia and moving to Delaware with her family at the age of 7, politics was in her blood. Her father, Ted Blunt, served onWilmington City Council, eventually becoming president. Getting her start as an intern for then-U.S. Rep.Tom Carper and stayed with his staff after be became the state's 62nd governor. After working in the stateDepartment of Health and Social Services andDepartment of Labor, she eventually decided to run for office herself. She succeeded Carney as Delaware's representative, winning by 14 points and making history. Rochester Delaware's firstwoman and the firstAfrican-Americanto represent Delaware in U.S. Congress.
Polytech
Lance A. Williams, class of 2008
Williams spent his time at POLYTECH in the auto body technical shop, but landed in Hollywood as an actor in the end? How did that happen? He told POLYTECH student reporterZach Trabaudo in a 2018 interview for the high school's news report and pointed to his old shop teacher, the late JimmyStevens: "[He] knew of my lifelong interest in acting. He also knew that I wasn’t doing anything about it. Sowhen the time came to discuss what electives some of us would enroll in next, he put me in drama —no questions asked. And it was the best thing he could have done." Williams has gone on to appear in films as Denzel Washington's "The Equalizer 2" and TV series as Kevin Bacon's "City on a Hill." Last year he co-starred in TV One's "Tough Love: Los Angeles."
Red Lion Christian Academy
Austin Barbin, class of 2019
Barbin was a fresh-faced Red Lion graduate when he scored back-to-back victories only a day apart. First he took the final match of the 105th Golf Association of Philadelphia Junior Boys Championship and then he beat a field of 82 in a U.S. Junior Amateur qualifier at Berkshire Country Club in Reading, Pennsylvania the next day. He was also the the runner-up in the121st BMW Philadelphia Amateur Championship earlier this year. These days, the Elkton, Maryland native swings for the University of Maryland as a sophom*ore.
Salesianum
Sallies basketball fans knew the nameDiVincenzo well before the NBA world. The Milwaukee Bucks guard now plays alongside "Greek Freak"Giannis Antetokounmpo, earning a NBA championship ring last year. Before landing on the big stage, the Newark native turned heads at Wilmington'sBirkenheuer Memorial Gymnasium where the team won back-to-back championships.After being selected by the Bucks with the 17tth pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, he has grown as a player before an ankle injury cut last season short. DiVincenzo is currently rehabbing his ankle and hopes to return to the court this season,
Sanford
Luis Estevez, class of 1947
The Cuban-born American fashion designer and costume designer may have had a sparkling career that brought him everywhere from France to New York, but he got his start at Sanford after moving to Pennsylvania.Estevez was a familiar face at Hotel du Pont's Gold Ballroom for fashion shows. He eventually moved to Hollywood, dressing everyone from Eva Gabor and Betty Ford to Grace Kelly and Marlene Dietrich.
Seaford
Fred Hertrich IV, class of 1993
After graduating from Seaford,Hertrichcontinued his education at Lehigh University before going into the family business. His grandfather had openedHertrich Pontiac-Buick Agency in Seaford in 1964 and his father also followedinto the retail car business.Hertrichisa partner in Hertrich Family of Automobile Dealerships, which has more than 20 locations in Delaware and Maryland.
Smyrna
Chuck Wicks, class of 1997
The Smyrna native parlayed his appearance on short-lived reality Fox show "Nashville" in 2007 into a country music career. After the show, he signed to RCA Records and his song "Stealing Cinderalla" became a hit, especially at weddings. While his recording career has mostly flat-lined, he's still busy. His stinton "Dancing with the Stars" (and his high-profilerelationship with dancer Julianne Hough) in 2009 helped give him exposure beyondthe world of country, but that's where he's settled down. Wicks currently co-hosts "America's Morning Show" for Nash, the country music arm of Cumulus radio.
St. Andrew's
Erin Burnett, class of 1994
Burnett, who just celebrated her 10-year anniversary as host of CNN's "Erin Burnett OutFront," came to St. Andrews from Maryland, where she was born and raised. After working for Goldman Sachs, she made her mark as host of CNBC's "Street Signs" and "Squawk on the Street" before jumping to CNN. In 2009, she returned to Middletown to give the school's commencement.
St. Elizabeth
Ryan Stearrett, class of 2003
Sure,Stearrett made a name for himselfon the football field at St. Elizabeth as team captain and athree-time, first team all-conference selection as a stand-out tight end. At Dickinson College, he had an all-star baseball career and now sits in the school's athletic hall of fame. But at the same time, he was busy hitting the books, studying physics and philosophy, earning his doctorate at the University of Delaware. After working for Intel, he settled in at Samsung Electronics, where he is now a senior engineer.
St. George's
Mayda Berrios, class of 2018
A Wilmington native who experienced four years in the foster care system, Berrios has recently found her stride. The St. Georges graduate and state youth ambassador was crowned Miss Dover USA 2021, a year after being named a 2020 All-Star representing Delaware for FosterClub, a national network for youth in foster care. She is also president ofCompanion Champions, a campus foster care-based support group. The Delaware State University student is in her third year of studying social work in Dover and volunteers withthe Division of Family Services.
St. Mark's
John Carney, class of 1974
The current governor of Delaware— our 74th— was raised in Claymont before landing at St. Mark's, where he was quarterback of the state championship team. After graduating fromDartmouth College, Carney held jobs with both the county and the state before running for (and winning) the lieutenant governor's race in 2000, serving nearly a decade before running for U.S. representative and winning by 16 points. After serving two terms, he decided to runfor the big Delaware job himself after former Gov. Jack Markell left office. Carney was sworn in as governor in 2017.
Sussex Academy
Delaney Smith, class of 2019
With only four graduating classes so far, Sussex Academy can point toSmith as an early stand-out after attending for grades 6-12 and excelling at cross country, swimming, basketball and soccer. Voted the Most Outstanding Senior Female Athlete for her graduating class, she was accepted intoAmeriCorps NCCC, a year-long, full-time service program. And after working five summers as a beach lifeguard on private beaches on the Delaware coast, she rose through the ranksto become an officer on the North Bethany Beach Patrol (NBBP) by age 18.NBBP is an independent contractor serving nine private communities near Bethany Beach, Delaware. And when the owner of the patrol decided to sell the business, he approached Smith.Earlier this year,at only 20 shesecured financing and purchased North Bethany Beach Patrol and the associated contracts. She now operates a business of 35 seasonal lifeguards handling recruitment, staffing, training, payrolland all other aspects of a business with annual revenue of over $300,000.
Sussex Central
John Powell, class of 1991
If you've been in the ChristianaCare emergency department, Powell's fingerprints were on your experience. TheSussex Central 2016 Hall of Fame inductee has been chair of ChristianaCare's emergency department since 2018 after working his way through the health care company since joining in 2009. Previously, he served in the U.S. Navy as a medical officer for more than three years, including time in Italy. Powell is a graduate of the University of Delaware and Thomas Jefferson university, where he earned his doctorate in medicine in 2002.
Sussex Tech
Tiamia Black (Adriyan Rae), class of 2007
We forgive you if you didn't realize actress Adriyan Rae is a homegrown product.Currently starring in"The Game" on Paramount+, the Seaford native hasbeen adding acting credits to her resume ever since 2015 and has appeared in everything fromFX's "Atlanta" to NBC's "Chicago Fire." But she's more than Hollywood. At Sussex Tech, she was homecoming queen, an academic star, as well as atrack and field, field hockey and basketball player. She went on to the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia and earned degrees in physician assistant studies and medical laboratory science and is accredited bythe American Society of Clinical Pathology.
Tatnall
Mick Purzycki, class of 2005
He may be the son of current Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki, but Mick is his own man. While his father spent much of his career creating and supporting the city's Riverfront before being elected mayor,Mick became an internet entrepreneur after leaving Tatnall and graduating from the University of Delaware. After getting his start with Groupon, be became CEO of Jerry Media six years ago— the company behind @f--kjerry, the Internet meme Instagram page. He landed on the big screen in 2019 when he was featured in the Netlfix documentary "Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened," about the doomed Fyre Festival. Mick co-produced the film about the festival, which was also promoted by Jerry Media.
Tower Hill
Ellen Kullman, class of 1974
This Wilmington native rose to occupy a position with a company oncesynonymous with the city: chair and chief executive officer of DuPont. After high school, she graduated from Tufts and Northwestern universities and joined General Electric before landing at DuPont in 1988. Over the years, she rose from a marketing manager to leading the company in 2009 before retiring six years later. Kullman was thefirst woman to lead the company in its 212-year history andis currently president and CEO of Carbon, a California-based 3D printing technology company.
Ursuline
Aubrey Plaza, class of 2002
Sorry to New Castle's Ryan Phillippe, but Aubrey Plaza just might now have the title as best-known Delaware-born actor. From movies and TV to books and more, Plaza is busy making her offbeatmark on Hollywood. It allstarted in high school where she would flash her unique sense of humor at classmates and teachers alike. Her senior superlative in the yearbook says, “Most likely to become President and make fun of myself on Saturday Night Live.” She's not there yet, but the former "Parks and Recreation" star has plenty of time.
William Penn
Tony Allen, class of 1988
It shouldn't come as a surprise that a product of Delaware's largest high school would go on to do big things. Before becoming the president of Delaware State University last year, Allen had been the founding president of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League. The University of Delaware and Baruch College graduatealsoworked for then-Sen.Biden for several years as a special assistant and speechwriter. That set him up for the call he received last year when Biden asked him to serve as the CEO of thePresidential Inaugural Committee, as well as being a member Biden's transition team advisory board.
Wilmington Christian
Ernesto "Ernie"Lopez, class of 1994
The Puerto Riconative moved to Delaware with his parents as a child, going on to graduate fromGettysburg Collegeand the University of Delaware after attending Wilmington Christian. In 2012, he made history by becoming the first Latino elected to the state senate, serving the 6th district, which includes Dewey Beach, Harbeson, Lewes, Milton, Rehoboth and surrounding areas. He still holds that seat. Among his achievements was2016's Riley’s Law, allowing children access to physician-prescribed medicinal cannabis, named after Rehoboth Beach constituentRylie Maedler. He works at UD's cooperative extension program with4-H youth development.
Wilmington Friends
Mabel Vernon, class of 1901
How deeply did Vernon believe in her mission as a suffragist? The Wilmington-born Quaker helped organizeprotests that involved daily picketing of Woodrow Wilson's White House and was one of a handful arrested in 1917 and jailed. After graduating from Wilmington Friends, her education continued atSwarthmore College and, later, Columbia University. As a member of theAmerican Woman Suffrage Association, she fought for voting rights most of her early life. In the years before her 1975 death at 95, set set her focus on pacifism and peace over war.
Woodbridge
Troy Haynes, class of 2019
Sometimes a student walks the halls of a high school and you know they will never be forgotten. Haynes, the three-sport star for the school, fought advance stage kidney cancer for five months before passing away a few days after his 19th birthday. Armed with an engaging smile, Haynes wore No. 4 for the football team, leading to the“Fight Like 4" rallying cry with the community rallying around the teenager. Thousands of dollars were raised for Haynes and his family through t-shirt and bracelet sales, donations and other fundraisers. Shortly after his death, a celebration of life was held atthe Woodbridge football stadium, drawing more than 2,000 to watch his teammates carry his casket into the end zone at the end of the service.
Think we missed someone? Contact Ryan Cormier at rcormier@delawareonline.com or (302) 324-2863. Follow him on Facebook (@ryancormierdelawareonline) and Twitter (@ryancormier).
