As a school administrator and ninth grade assistant principal at Academy Park High School, Mr. Baxter has worked with the Southeast Delco School District since 2003. Mr. Baxter has not only transformed the high school experience for our youngest students but has also been an invaluable presence in the greater community.

Beyond his administrative responsibilities, Mr. Baxter has been a driving force behind the success of the Academy Park Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA). His unwavering support for this volunteer parent group cannot be overstated. Whether raising awareness, recruiting volunteers, managing communications, or coordinating logistics with district leadership, Mr. Baxter has shown up for every event, every fundraiser, and every conversation with enthusiasm and excellence. The PTSA’s accomplishments — from the annual car wash to After Prom — would not have been possible without his guidance, organization, and quiet but steadfast leadership.

Mr. Baxter makes it a priority to attend as many school events as possible — whether it’s a PTSA fundraiser, a high school baseball game, senior night for every sport, or every concert and student performance. If it’s important to the student, he wants to support it. His presence sends a clear message to students: that they matter, their efforts are valued, and they are never alone in their educational journey.

Mr. Baxter loves his work at the school and says just when you think you have figured it out, there is always something new. Mostly, he enjoys seeing the students grow into young men and women and seeing them grow and becoming the leaders they need to be. Mr. Baxter loves to spend time with family, travel, and loves adventurous things like parasailing and horseback riding.

Melayla represents the very best of our school and community — a young leader who brings joy, integrity, and dedication into every space she enters.

Melayla is a senior at Academy Park High School who radiates positive energy. She is always smiling, always kind, and always willing to step up. Whether volunteering for an event, supporting her peers, or juggling responsibilities at home, Melayla approaches every task with maturity and grace. Her compassion is matched by her work ethic, and her actions speak volumes about her character.

As a proud and active member of the National Honor Society, Melayla has been instrumental in organizing and maintaining the school’s resource closet, helping ensure that students have access to the essentials they need to succeed such as school supplies, toiletries, clothes, etc. 

Melayla is a driving force behind the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Leadership Team, consistently volunteering her time and energy to plan food drives, field days, and other school-wide initiatives. She gives selflessly, often working behind the scenes to make sure things run smoothly. 

What sets Melayla apart is her balance of school, service, and family. Whether she’s supporting her younger brother, helping to care for her 3-year-old nieces, or uplifting classmates and teachers alike, she manages her commitments with a quiet strength and unwavering dedication. She is the kind of person who brings people together and never asks for anything in return.

This fall, Melayla will begin the next chapter of her journey: studying health sciences at St. Joseph’s University. Melayla likes to make customized T-shirts, listens to K-pop, watches K-dramas, and reads in her spare time. 

Fofanah is a dedicated and compassionate young leader who plays an active role at Great Oaks Academy and within the fellowship at Christ Lutheran Church in Upper Darby. As a teenager, Fofanah began volunteering at various church events, including food drives, community brunches, the annual chicken festival, and neighborhood cookouts. These gatherings not only brought people together but fostered a sense of belonging and unity, welcoming all regardless of background. The food drives in particular had a meaningful impact, offering tangible support to the surrounding community.

Currently, Fofanah volunteers his time tutoring students in math and reading during the week and occasionally on Saturdays at Great Oaks Academy. His commitment to service extends beyond the classroom, as he continues to seek opportunities to grow and give back.

This fall, Fofanah will be attending Delaware County Community College (DCCC) to pursue an associate degree in engineering with a focus on health physics — a field combining his interest in science with a desire to contribute to public well-being.

Recently, he’s discovered a new passion: gardening. Whether nurturing plants or mentoring young learners, Fofanah’s care and consistency foster a lasting impact on those around him.

Pastor Perry Messick grew up in Sharon Hill and moved to Collingdale in 1985 when he married his wife, Debbie. He has been on the Collingdale First Baptist Church staff since 1983. They have two sons named Christopher and Brian, respectively. 

One of the goals of his ministry has been to impact our diverse community with the life-changing message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Pastor Messick has poured his heart into developing young leaders in the church and in our community.

Under his leadership, his church has several community ministries including a recovery study and a Grief Share support group. He is also a facilitator with Resilient Minds On The Front Lines and an instructor with The Police Chaplain Program. In addition to his duties as a senior pastor at Collingdale First Baptist Church, Pastor Messick also serves as a chaplain with the Collingdale Police Department, Collingdale Fire Department and the Delaware County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #27. He is also a member of the Delaware County Critical Incident and Stress Management Response Team. 

Pastor Messick received a BS in Administration of Justice from Pennsylvania State University. He received his theological training from Seminary of the East in Dresher, Pa. 

When Pastor Messick is not at the church, he likes spending time with his grandson and taking trips to Ocean City, NJ. He also loves to travel to sites that give a deeper overview of American history. Pastor Messick has been a stable, peaceful, and hopeful voice in this community for many years. When he retires in just a couple of days, he’s not leaving but he will still be missed. Pastor Messick, thank you for pouring your life into serving our community.