In honor of Black History Month, local historian Chuck Langerman shared with Glenside Local three Cheltenham High School grads who went on to great things after their days in Wyncote.

Nate Dickerson (above left)

Nate Dickerson, a 1955 graduate of Cheltenham High School, became the first African American baseball player to ever play for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1955.

According to Langerman, Dickerson debuted on Monday, June 20, 1955 when Pulaski (Va.) defeated Bristol (Tenn.), 9-4, in the first game of an Appalachian League doubleheader. He played first base and went 1-for-2 in the game.

Dickerson played in the Phillies’ Minor League system from 1955-1959. Despite hitting 75 homers and batting .313, the 6’3″, 215-pound first baseman never made it to the Majors.  

At Cheltenham High, Dickerson was a four-star athlete, competing in football, basketball, baseball, and track and field.

For his Minor League stats, you can click here.

Mr. William Norton (above middle)

Mr. William Norton, now a retired Cheltenham High School teacher and administrator, served the students of CHS from 1961 to 1992. According to Langerman, he was the first African American teacher and administrator to work in the Cheltenham Township School District.

Mr. Norton’s roles included history teacher, social studies department chairperson, housemaster, and assistant principal.  

In a summer government course in 1972, Mr. Norton and Mrs. Lila Rosenbaum took a group of CHS students to the Democratic National Convention in Miami. He also started the Senior Independent Project at CHS, a cooperative education program which allowed twelfth graders to work for local businesses and earn class credits.

Sabrina D. Parker (above right)

Sabrina D. Parker, a 1996 graduate of Cheltenham High School and a retired E7 Air Force Master Sergeant, has served the United States for nearly 30 years.

Parker began her military career on active duty in the Air Force and is currently a Department of War / Air Force civilian as the Lead Management Analyst for Air Force Operations.

Her service spans three historic military operations: Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Noble Eagle, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Parker was named Civilian of the Year by Air Force Global Strike Command, and in 2014, she was personally honored as a Hometown Hero by Four-Star General Robin Rand, a recognition reserved for those whose service reflects extraordinary commitment and national impact.

Parker is a Wounded Warrior Ambassador and a motivational speaker. At Cheltenham High, she was a cheerleader.

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