UDHS Purple & Gold
May 2026
Cute Photos of the Month
Also featured are several great shots from the August 25 professional development kickoff, and the first group of students being welcomed back to school on August 31,
Upper Darby High School's European Vacation
English teacher Kathryn Corona again took students with her to Europe. They landed in Paris in the middle of a heatwave (105+ degrees!) but the kids were amazing. They had a ton of fun visiting the Louvre and the palace of Versailles (see the pic below) despite the heat, before taking a train south across France to Lucerne, Switzerland and then traveling by bus to Munich, Germany (with a side trip to Dachau) and finally over to Vienna, Austria. Every summer Ms. Corona and her students make a ton of memories and it expands their worlds. Ms. Corona is already planning the June 2027 trip (15 days and 5 cities) so interested Juniors and Seniors can reach out to her directly about the few remaining spots! Do you take teachers too, Ms. Corona? :-)
A Midsummer's Afternoon Graduation
This past July 23, UDHS celebrated additional members of the Class of 2026 with its annual summer graduation ceremony.
A Heartfelt Thank You
Mr. Trung Tchiong says that he couldn't be happier about his newly renovated robotics and electronics classroom in Room 75. "On behalf of my students," says Mr. Tchiong, "A heartfelt "thank you" goes out to Dr. Parkinson, Mr. Barnes, and all UDSD administrators for supporting public education." my technology education department chairs, Mr. Barnes, and UDSD Administrators for
UDHS Graduate Earns All-American at Junior Olympics
Congratulations to Upper Darby High School graduate Zi’yahh McLean-Dixon, who continued her javelin season at the AAU Junior Olympics in Des Moines, IA, this past summer, earning All-American Status with her 8th place finish!
UDHS Band Wraps up Band Camp
The band also paid tribute to Dolly Parton shortly after her death with a performance of "Nine to Five" at the football team's season home opener.
Spotlight on Jessica Freeman
Career Counselor Jessica Freeman is no stranger to this page, having been featured in the February 2026 issue. We are spotlighting her again because she published a non-fiction children's book in July. Titled Caleb: Big Brother/Little Brother, which focuses on Mrs. Freeman's grandchildren, in particular Caleb. Congratulations Ms. Freeman!
Lyse Rhode Siphrael
"This summer, I had the opportunity to participate in a medical research program through Harvard Medical School, where I completed a project called Medical Research: Shaping the Future of Health. My last project research was about insulin therapy for diabetes and why different patients can respond differently to treatment.
I also completed the REACH Program through Thomas Jefferson University’s College of Rehabilitation Sciences and received a certificate of completion.
Outside of academics, I have been involved in several activities throughout high school. I have played softball for four years and basketball during my freshman year. I have also played piano for almost nine years and started learning guitar when I was 15.
I’m also proud of some of the opportunities and awards I’ve received. In 2026, I participated in the Regional High School Exhibition and received the DCCC Art Faculty Award, which included a $100 gift card. I also participated in the Pennsylvania Youth Institute through the World Food Prize Foundation, hosted at Penn State University on July 12, 2025, where I researched and learned about efforts to help end hunger around the world and received a certificate.
Academically, I have been on the Distinguished Honor Roll throughout all three years of high school. I have also been involved in the Rotary Club and volunteer regularly. This summer, I have been volunteering at the Upper Darby Free Library Municipal Branch."
