The Sentinels showed their team spirit on Thursday with an Eagles pep rally. Latanya Clement, a 1983 graduate and mother of running back Corey Clement, joined the festivities.
Little Flower High School on Thursday held an Eagles pep rally featuring Latanya Clement, a 1983 graduate and mother of running back Corey Clement.
Colleen Murphy, class of 1986, sent a Facebook message to Latanya Clement, encouraging her to come to her alma mater to place a rose at the St. Therese statue for good luck.
The Eagles, of course, face the New England Patriots on Sunday in Super Bowl LII in Minnesota.
Clement, who lives in Glassboro, New Jersey, thought Murphy’s idea was a great one, and Little Flower organized a pep rally in the gym.
The Rev. Joseph McCaffrey, the school minister, led the crowd in prayer. Sister Donna Shallo, the school president, wore a Corey Clement №30 Eagles jersey.
Cheerleaders and the Sentinel mascot joined in the festivities. The gym was decorated with green, white and football-shaped balloons, and some students did “The Wave.”
The girls held signs such as “We Love #30” and chanted, “Let’s go, Corey, let’s go,” and some high-fived Clement. The pep band performed the Fly, Eagles, Fly victory song.
Murphy, who presented Clement with an Eagles/Little Flower hoodie with her son’s name and number on the back, had the honor of placing the first rose at the statue.
Students followed by placing 100 green roses at the statue, with Clement and Sister Donna dropping red roses. Clement held hands with students as they sung the alma mater.
“I am overwhelmed right now,” Clement told the LF community. “We are so blessed to have this opportunity.”
As Latanya Dunaway, Clement grew up in Logan and attended Holy Child Grammar School, located near Broad Street and Duncannon Avenue. She enjoyed her years at Little Flower.
“It was fun. I’m still close friends with a lot of my classmates. There’s a sisterhood here,” she said.
Corey Clement, 23, was a star football player and sprinter in track at Glassboro High School in Gloucester County, New Jersey. He went on to have an excellent career at Wisconsin, but was not chosen in the NFL Draft. He signed with the Eagles last May.
This season, he has contributed as a runner, pass catcher and return man. He has scored six touchdowns. His best game came against the Denver Broncos, when he rushed for two touchdowns and caught a TD pass.
“It’s a great accomplishment. He’s worked hard for it. I’m happy for him,” his mother said.
Latanya Clement, who works as a consultant for college-bound students, leaves for Minneapolis on Friday. The LF community hopes she returns to the school soon, this time with her son and the Lombardi Trophy. ••
