George Slick Foundation

The George H. Slick Foundation was created to honor Dr. George H. Slick, Superintendent of the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District from 1978 to 1996. A gifted, dedicated educator and administrator, Dr. Slick helped all those concerned with our schools to remember that they should always strive to act in the best interests of the Districts’ young people. He asserted firmly with words and actions that our treasured children are both our special responsibility and our nation’s future.

Although Dr. Slick was keenly interested in all aspects of school life, both curricular and extracurricular, he was always particularly interested in the arts, both visual and performing. This endowment, however, is not established with the intention of championing one part of the School Districts’ curricular life over all others. Rather, these awards aim to recognize the importance of the art and artists and the integral part they play in the lives of our students.

The George H. Slick Foundation supports Strath Haven High School students who have a desire to excel to the most advanced levels in the arts; which include music, visual art, theater, dance, photography, media arts. The prestigious George Slick Fellowship award enables the student to work with SHHS music and/or art faculty support towards mastering their art over two years to present a program in the spring of their junior year. The George Slick Grant provides financial support for students to pursue assistance in advancing their art. SHHS freshmen students may obtain more information and an application for the Fellowship and Grant by contacting either Ms. Jennifer Rodgers, WSSD Department Chair of Visual Arts, or Mr. John Shankweiler, WSSD Department Chair of Performing Arts.

SHHS students may apply for the Fellowship and/or Grant during their Freshman year of high school.  It is maintained through generous donations from members of the Wallingford-Swarthmore community. If you are able to make a donation to the George H. Slick Foundation, please send your contribution to:  Mr. John Shankweiler, jshankweiler@wssd.org or Ms. Jennifer Rodgers, jrodgers@wssd.org. Checks can be made payable to “George Slick Foundation.”

Strath Haven’s vocal program serves approximately 240 students in its ensembles.  Vocal ensembles include the over 200 voice Camerata, a concert choir; the Cantata Singers, a 90 voice ensemble specializing in Music from the Baroque period; the Silvertones, a 36 voice ensemble specializing in small ensemble music; and the Jazz Choir, a mixed a capella ensemble.  These groups perform for a variety of community organizations in the greater Philadelphia region.  Annually, the Cantata Singers perform “Missa Gaia” with the Paul Winter Consort at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City.  Every two years the Silvertones perform a 7 concert tour of Italy, singing music of 16th century Italy.

Contact: Lindsey Reinhard Silva at lreinhardsilva@wssd.org. 

Created in the fall of 2017 to honor the legacy and enduring impact WSSD Music Department Chairperson and Strath Haven High School Instrumental Music Educator Mr. Jack Hontz had on the Wallingford-Swarthmore Community.

Since joining the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District in 1983, giving the gift of music and art to the Wallingford-Swarthmore community had always been what Mr. Hontz strived for. This constant enthusiasm is an offshoot of his lifelong desire to surround himself and others with music. Mr. Hontz created an atmosphere in which learning and growth could thrive and students could blossom, not just as artists and musicians,  but as people.

Mr. Hontz’s outstanding musicianship and teaching skills were never focused solely on the highest performing or most committed students. He understood the value of balance in a student’s life and worked passionately to help all of those interested in participating, even if academics or other extracurricular activities were their main priority.

Mr. Hontz strived to make the Wallingford-Swarthmore community a home for the arts.  He involved students from all different backgrounds and created an environment of acceptance and growth.

The Jack Hontz Endowment serves to support Wallingford-Swarthmore School District students from elementary through high school level who need financial assistance to further their music and artistic endeavors and skills no matter their ability or past experience. Students may apply for an endowment award by contacting their WSSD music and art teachers.

If you would like to make a contribution to the Jack Hontz Endowment, please contact Ms. Jennifer Rodgers, jrodgers@wssd.org.;  or Grace Loyd, Wallingford-Swarthmore Music Association President; president@wssdmusic.org.

he Panther Marching Band is a flagship organization that continues to serve the entire Wallingford-Swarthmore Community. Haven's band is the largest in Pennsylvania and the second-largest Band in the country as it averages about 400 members. 

One third of all Strath Haven students perform in the Band, making it's impact on the local community very tangible! Mr. Jack Hontz, the founder of and visionary for the Panther Band, believed that every student should feel ownership and pride in their school community. To keep Mr. Hontz's legacy alive, the Band continues a positive culture of inclusion, learning, hard work, service, and commitment to musical excellence. 

Marching Band is a class offering that meets three times a week during the school day. In addition, students dedicate occasional evenings to rehearsals. Band student leadership meets for one week before Band Camp. The entire Pride of Haven joins the leaders in the last week of August for a fun, intense, and musically rewarding period of show preparation.

Click here to visit the Haven Band and Orchestra Website

One third of all Strath Haven students perform in the Band, making it's impact on the local community very tangible! Mr. Jack Hontz, the founder of and visionary for the Panther Band, believed that every student should feel ownership and pride in their school community. To keep Mr. Hontz's legacy alive, the Band continues a positive culture of inclusion, learning, hard work, service, and commitment to musical excellence. 

Marching Band is a class offering that meets three times a week during the school day. In addition, students dedicate occasional evenings to rehearsals. Band student leadership meets for one week before Band Camp. The entire Pride of Haven joins the leaders in the last week of August for a fun, intense, and musically rewarding period of show preparation.

The Band supports the Haven Football team and cheers the on the Silver, Black, and White. The Band performs at every home and away football game, in local parades, at Philadelphia Eagles' halftime shows, in the Penncrest Festival of Bands exhibition show and every other year in Orlando, Florida.

The Panther Marching Band honors its traditions as it looks to the future. Every instrumentalist and band front member wears a JH12 logo on their uniform, lead by a distinguished Junior who carries the JH12 flag. The JH12 logo, designed in the style of our Panther music note logo, is a constant reminder of Jack Hontz's miraculous work to build this program. Band members are honored to wear his initials and the number 12, signifying Jack's belief that the Band could be the 12th player on the football team by offering support and love for fellow students. 

Silver, Black, and White! Fight Panthers Fight!

Learn more here!