Mayor Nutter Rewards Students with Phillies Box Seats

by KYW's Steve Tawa

Mayor Nutter has handed out rewards to more than 200 "straight-A" public school students with perfect attendance records. They're getting tickets to Phillies games this season, in the mayor's box.

The students achieving at high levels, from 34 Philadelphia high schools, got a pat on the back, a handshake, an autograph from Mayor Nutter (in file photo) -- and the two tickets.  The mayor was in awe of these students:

"I would never have received any tickets based on these standards."

I caught up with some Central High School students, like William Feldman:

"We like the Phillies, but it's nicer in the box.  My favorite player? Chase Utley."

Fellow Central student Namen Upadhyay appreciates the mayor's gesture:

"We've been working our butts off in school. It's like a little vacation for us, from a long time with our heads in the books. I'm going to the Boston Red Sox game June 14th."

Tawa: "Whoa! Those are good tickets. You can't even buy those tickets."

In the next school year, beginning in September, 2,000 of the mayor's box tickets to sporting and entertainment events will be given to school district students who demonstrate academic excellence - in the mayor's VIP program - very impressive performers.