State Rep. Kinsey ceremonially sworn-in during Germantown celebration
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Khiah Warren and Jose Echevarria prepare for their musical number. (Emma Lee/for NewsWorks)
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Julissa Valentin, a student in Kathleen Gaynor's acting class at Mariana Bracetti Academy Charter, grins as she reads through her scene with classmates. (Emma Lee/for NewsWorks)
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Samary Malave, Onix Pagan and Jennifer Monserrat listen to instruction from lead teaching artist Hannah Tsapatoris Macleod. (Emma Lee/for NewsWorks)
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Tatiana Espada delivers a monologue during her Scene Work and Improvisation class at Mariana Bracetti Academy Charter. (Emma Lee/for NewsWorks)
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Students Zulydivad Ortiz-Mendez, Natalie Morales and Anneska Maldonado, watch their classmates perform while they wait for their next scene. (Emma Lee/for NewsWorks)
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Kathleen Gaynor's acting class at Mariana Bracetti Academy Charter has students performing each other's work, an exercise in empathy. (Emma Lee/for NewsWorks)
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Marlenne Cruz wrote a story of domestic violence for her Scene Work and Improvisation class at Mariana Bracetti Academy Charter. (Emma Lee/for NewsWorks)
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Lead Teaching Artist Hannah Tsapatoris Macleod gives her students a pep talk after their first performance for a test audience. (Emma Lee/for NewsWorks)
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Students, from right, Jennifer Melendez, Natalie Morales, and Samary Malave act out a vignette about body image as part of their Scene Work and Improvisation class at Mariana Bracetti Academy Charter school. (Emma Lee/for NewsWorks)
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<p>"It's one thing to do it Harrisburg, the ceremony process, but when you bring it back to the community you are able to share it with the folks who actually pushed the lever for you, it's like 10 times greater," Kinsey said. (Trenae V. McDuffie/for NewsWorks)</p>
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<p>State Rep. Stephen Kinsey thanks his family at his ceremonial swearing-in ceremony. (Trenae V.McDuffie/for NewsWorks)</p>
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<p>Rev. Dr. Bruce W. Petty, Sr. leads clergy members in a circle of prayer for state. Rep. Stephen Kinsey. (TrenaeV.McDuffie/for Newsworks)</p>
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<p>Marcus L. Wiggins sings a classical ballad at the ceremony. (Trenae V. McDuffie/for NewsWorks)</p>
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<p>State Rep. Stephen Kinsey thanks his Philadelphia and Harrisburg staffers. (Trenae V.McDuffie/for NewsWorks)</p>
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<p>Bill Ryan, assistant vice president of government relations and public affairs at Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, spoke at the Friday night event. (Trenae V.McDuffie/for NewsWorks)</p>
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<p>Pam Rich-Wheeler speaks about the Germantown business district. (Trenae V.McDuffie/for NewsWorks)</p>
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<p>Myla Rose Pearl Kinsey, daughter of state Rep. Stephen Kinsey, welcomes guests to the ceremony. (TrenaeV.McDuffie/for NewsWorks)</p>
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<p>State Rep. Stephen Kinsey's granddaughter Shakeira Holiday holds the bible as former Mayor W. Wilson Goode, Sr. ceremonially administers the Oath of Office. (Trenae V.McDuffie/for NewsWorks)</p>
As one of the newest members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Stephen Kinsey was ceremonially sworn in (for a second time) during a community inaugural ceremony Friday night at Treasures banquet hall on Germantown Avenue.
Kinsey told NewsWorks it was special to host such an event “in the heart of where where folks voted for me.”
“It’s one thing to do it Harrisburg,” said Kinsey, who was formally sworn-in at the state capitol earlier this month. “But, when you bring it back to the community, you are able to share it with the folks who actually pushed the lever for you. It’s like 10 times greater.”
The ceremony
Among elected officials and community stakeholders in attendance, and speaking, were state Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown and Eighth District City Councilwoman Cindy Bass along with Eugene Albert, Pam Rich-Wheeler, Bill Ryan, Derrick Green and Gregory A. Kinsey.
Michelle Tollen read a poem, Marcus L. Wiggins sang a musical selection and former Mayor W. Wilson Goode Sr. spoke about the history of the first African American elected officials in Philadelphia before administering the oath of office.
“It is an absolute honor to be here and to see this third generation come into office,” Goode said.
Kinsey’s wife, Melissa Still, spoke about Kinsey’s leadership as a son, father, husband and community activist.
“When you campaign, there is a blueprint on how to raise money, there is a blueprint of how you market yourself for a campaign,” she said, adding that “there’s no blueprint in politics on how you manage your personal life and balance your family. But on this journey, I believe that he and I built that road map.”
One of 28 freshman state representatives, Kinsey graduated from Germantown High School in 1976, served as chief-of-staff to former Rep. John Myers and has been involved with numerous community organizations.
His district covers parts of Germantown, Mt. Airy, West Oak Lane and Ogontz.
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