President, Pat Mathis - Class of 1972
For more than 43 years, Patricia Mathis has been in the educational arena with most of her teaching career taking place at Overbrook High School as a Business Education instructor. Pat was a graduate of Overbrook’s class of 1972. Her colleagues fondly referred to her as “Ms. Overbrook” because of the compassion, enthusiasm, and dedication she exemplified within the walls of her alma mater.
While at Overbrook, she served as teacher, Academy Leader and Department Chair in addition to being involved with many extra-curricular activities. Her favorite activity was being the city-wide advisor of a nation-wide organization called Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). Pat received an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Business Education from Community College of Philadelphia, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Education from Temple University, and a Master of Arts Degree in Education for Educational Leadership from Argosy University.
She has been married for almost 43 years to her true love, Anthony, Sr. She is the mother of two grown children, Anthony, Jr., and Ashia, as well as being “Mom-Mom” to her grandchild, Bernard, Jr. Pat’s zeal for her alma mater continues as she presently serves in the capacity of president to Overbrook High School’s Alumni Association better known as OHSAA.
Vice President, Deborah Weeks-Coleman - Class of 1971
Deborah Weeks-Coleman has been an educator for thirty-three years, and twenty of those years were spent at Overbook High School. Deborah always had a passion for helping others. This passion helped her find her place in education. During her experience at Overbook, Deborah oversaw a work-experience program. She enjoyed mentoring and guiding her students with their work assignments at Lankenau Hospital and St. Joseph’s University. Her students were able to gain valuable experience, hands-on job training, and even earn a stipend to help them with their expenses. This opportunity allowed each student to determine which career path they wanted to pursue upon graduation.
Now, as a retired educator, Deborah has decided to nurture her entrepreneurial spirit. Deborah is a Marketing Executive with a health and wellness company. Deborah is also an Independent Beauty Consultant. All her business ventures revolve around empowering men and women to tap into their inner strength, wellness, and beauty.
Deborah has been a board member on the Overbrook High School Alumni Association for over twenty-five years. She chose to become a board member in order to give back to where she came from. Overbrook played a part in shaping her into the person she is today. It takes a village to raise productive adults who become responsible citizens. She chose to be a part of that village for the Overbrook students. She is currently the Vice President of the Alumni Association.
Treasurer, Shauna Collins
Ms. Shauna Collins, founder and owner of La Petite Tax Dame, LLC, embarked upon her journey in tax preparation following her graduation from Lincoln University of PA in 2001. Her career commenced with the U.S. Postal Service of the Inspector General as an auditor later transitioning to roles as an accountant at Vicinity Energy, and a licensed Enrolled Agent advocating for her clients before the IRS. Shauna’s professionalism stems from her adeptness in problem-solving, attentiveness to client needs, and adept management of her firm.
Beyond her professional endeavors of which she actively engages include The National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP), National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA), and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)/Campaign for Working Families. Additionally, she holds the position of treasurer for the Pennsylvania Society Enrolled Agents (PSEA), the Overbrook High School Alumni Association as well as the position of Board Finance Chair for Jacqueln Y. Kelley Discovery Charter School.
As an enrolled Agent and business owner, Shauna is driven by her passion to educate and support individuals and small businesses while fostering a team of skilled and principled professionals within her firm.
Parliamentarian, Michele Harper - Class of 1976
Michele has been a part of the Overbrook High School community as a student, an educator and a volunteer.
Upon graduating from Cheyney State University and receiving her MA at Antioch University Michele worked for the School District of Philadelphia for 31 years. She always wanted to work at her alma mater. In 1999, she was able to transfer to OHS where she worked as the Special Education Liaison until retiring in 2013. After retiring she volunteered at the school in various positions, pre-pandemic.
Michele served on the Board of the Nile Swim Club of Yeadon as Membership Chair for the “Save the Nile” campaign, and was a member of Soroptimist International of Rittenhouse. Soroptimist is a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. She facilitated the annual “Dream It Be It” seminar for high school girls. Currently, she serves as secretary on the Board of OHS Alumni Class of 1976, and the Board for Community Health & Garden; a nonprofit community garden located at 55th & Jefferson St. She fellowships at Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church where she serves as the servant leader of the Helping Hand Ministry that provides food and clothing for the community through the church pantry. Michele is also on the Crochet Ministry, Enon Cares Ministry and the Cancer Ministry. In addition, Michele volunteers for Currently Trending, a nonprofit dedicated to guiding high school students through their high school experience on to secondary education by giving them the tools they need to be independent thinkers and to advocate for themselves. She serves as block captain for her block, and can be seen any day picking up trash trying to set an example for being a clean block with neighbors that care. Michele is a proud member of the Rho Theta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Michele states that she will continue to serve and support her community in any capacity until the Lord calls her home.