FRANKFORD ALUMNI
HOME OF CHAMPIONS!
KISHA THOMPSON
CLASS OF 1993
President, Frankford Chargers Sports and Mentoring Association
Vince Miller Award Winner in 2023
"I encourage kids to see where they’re good at. Work on their passion project. When you work on on what you're passionate about, it’s not work. Something you love to do, you get up and do it."
And who, disguised as Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper, fights a never-ending battle for... Yes, we're tallking about Superman here, but for decades of Frankford girls and boys, Kisha Thompson has been their Super-Shero, fighting to mentor and provide positive role models.
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By day, she's a senior tech analyst for Subaru of America--reviewing and preparing Subaru's tax documents. After work hours and on weekends she organizes, mentors, writes grants, fundraise, train and oversee every aspect of the Frankford Chargers. You could say she was groomed for this.
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"Frankford Charges began in 1977. A coach since 1988, for 37 years--I began as a cheerleader first from ages 3-12. Then became a football coach. And now president of the organization for the last 15 years. My official title is vice president."
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"We offer football basketball, flag football, cheerleading, step and dance. I do grant writing. Mentor the coaches and students. Last year was my last year coaching. I'm still there 3- 5 times week grant writing and making sure coaches have what they need."
"My nine-year old football team won the 2024 national champion as 8-year-olds. They will be competing to win a repeat championship as 9-year-olds at the American Youth Football (AYF), December 6-14 at the Paradise Coast Sports Complex in Naples, Florida. Our 20-year-old cheer and dance team will compete for the national championship at American Youth Cheer (AYC) Championship in Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, Florida.
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During the championship week in Florida, they're required to do an hour a day of homework in a conference room--used as a study hall.
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'My enjoyment is seeing them achieve. I could be walking in the mall and and run into former players who say, Hey Coach Kisha, remember me? I’ve coached fathers and sons. I love that! This tells me, I did something right. They’re bringing their children back 10 years later."
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Growing Up in Frankford...
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"We all went to school together--four schools: Smedly Elementary, Allen M. Stearne School, John Marshall Elementary and Harding Middle School."
"It created a bond. We knew we were going to a neighborhood school. As an athlete, I had the mindset that I was going to my neighborhood school and make my neighborhood school better.'
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While at Frankford High School...
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Her discipline and leadership skills began at a young age, playing sports for the Frankford Chargers. This led to playing varsity basketball, volleyball, track and all public at Frankford. While also excelling in academics, she led the senior class as vice president, and participated in Danaides. I also participated in summer sports leagues.
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"I was always a numbers person. so my favorite subject was math. At Smedly Elementary, I was on a crypto team where we competed against other elementary schools. At Frankford, my basketball coach, Mr. Kline, math teacher, Mr. Barry Thomas and physical education teacher, Ms. Coker inspired and believed in me."
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College Bound...
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"I went to Philadelphia College of Textiles & Science
(now Thomas Jeffersion University) on a basketball scholarship, majoring in accounting and pre-law. I received my bachelor's degree in 1997 and masters in 1998 in a five- year program. I was ahead of schedule. "
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"Professor Solano, my accounting professor, who was a sports agent, made math fun. Even though, I interned at a law firm, I chose to pursue accounting."
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"Professor Solano taught us accounting practices using the hit TV show, 90210--as a model. In his Federal Taxes class, he'd use the 90210 parents to figure out their two-parent family deductions. This approach got me more into accounting. I loved hearing stories about his clients. We also learned about the Jock tax--where professional athletes pay taxes for games they played in that state."
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Advice to Today's Students... Get Real Life Experience While in High School...
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"Learn as much as you can. Get as much real life experience as possible. So that when you get in the real world, you’ll know what to expect. Phila-Job--was my real-world experience during the summer months. I worked at a apartment building with a manager, collecting rent and doing the calculations. it was a great experience. You'll get your working papers and learn how to cash pay checks."
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"First job out of college was working at Nueva Esperanza —while I was studying for my master’s. Once I graduated with a master's in science, I joined Reliance Insurance company."
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Her favorite quote: "You've Got Issues." But, what's important is how you resolve those issues and not let them derail you from your goals in life.
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Frankford's Alumni Life...
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I enjoy attending MLK Games and the Alumni Christmas Party. (Editor's Note: held 12/6 - See above flyer.
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