Phoenixville's Oldest Living Alumna Honored at Graduation

To start a new tradition, first had to find an old alumnus.

“We decided it would be fun to start inviting the oldest alum we could get ahold of to come join us for graduation,” explained Sandy Claus, the district’s community relations coordinator.

They found Helen Davis Debus, a 1929 graduate of PAHS who will turn 100 in October. The Valley Forge resident accepted the school's invitation to attend as guest of honor, and was introduced to the crowd, to loud applause, during .

“She was just adorable, a real pistol,” said Claus. “And it was a neat thing to see how excited the kids were.”