Phase 4 Learning Center’s graduation honors 2 students killed by gun violence

Two chairs sat empty, each with a purple balloon, red rose wrapped in a black ribbon and photos of the teens on what was supposed to be their graduation day.

Matthew Steffy-Ross, 17, of Pitcairn died on April 17, Easter Sunday, on Pittsburgh’s North Side.

Marvin D. Matthews, 19, of Braddock died on Father’s Day, June 19, at his home.

Family members attended to accept their diplomas on Saturday from Phase 4 Learning Center, Inc. at Baldwin-Whitehall High School Stadium. Phase 4 is a private secondary school that helps at-risk and disadvantaged people earn their high school diploma.

It graduated its largest-ever class of 397 students.

“These young people on this field are our future,” said Terrie Suica-Reed, president, CEO and founder of Phase 4.

Suica-Reed said this class has overcome countless odds, including the pandemic and, unfortunately, heartbreaking

sadness with the loss of two classmates, she said.

Suica-Reed wanted Steffy-Ross and Matthews to be included in the ceremony.

Lilly Kubit | Tribune-Review

Malicka Alston lets a balloon go as part of the ceremony to honor Marvin Matthews. She is joined by Kariya Matthews. Alston is Marvin Matthews’ foster mother, and Kariya Matthews is Marvin Mathews’ sister. Matthews and Matthew Steffy-Ross, both of whom died before graduation, were honored at Phase 4 Learning Center, Inc. commencement on Saturday.

There was a musical tribute to the teens. Maureik Vickers, an instructor at Phase 4, sang a song Steffy-Ross wrote called “I Try.” Family members released a balloon in remembrance of the young men. They accepted their diplomas.

Bonnie McLain, Steffy-Ross’ great aunt, said her great nephew loved Phase 4, which has locations in East Liberty, Baldwin, Shadyside and Harrisburg.

She said Suica-Reed told her Matthew is in heaven with her late husband, Tom Reed, who died last year. Steffy-Ross had been talking about graduating and was about to launch a clothing line, McLain said. The name of the collection was to be “Mind Sets.”

His name is spelled with one “T” on his diploma because that is how it is spelled on his birth certificate, but McLain said he preferred two “T’s.”

“I am honored to be here,” McLain said. “If Matthew was here he would have loved being a part of all of this. He told me he was going to give me the first T-shirt he printed.”

Matthews’ mother, Waynesha Lundy, said her first born son was full of life.

“If Marvin was here he would be grinning and skipping across this field,” said Malicka Alston, a second mother to Matthews, who attended with his sister, Karaya Matthews, and Lundy.

“Believe it not, I have a lot of joy right now,” said McLain. “Because I know that Matthew is up there smiling. He was everyone’s light who knew him. He was kind and would give you the shirt off his back. People gravitated to Matthew. They loved him, and he knew he was loved. So many people leave this world not feeling loved, but Matthew, he was loved.”

Lilly Kubit | Tribune-Review

Graduate Kanye Hawkins speaks to the crowd at Baldwin Stadium for Phase 4 Learning Center, Inc. commencement on Saturday. During the celebration, two students who passed away were honored. Their families accepted their diplomas on their behalf.

One of the commencement speakers was Kanye Hawkins. He said he was experiencing challenges in his traditional high school when he heard about Phase 4 from his guidance counselor. He transferred to Phase 4 in January and completed his coursework. He plans to continue his education at Lackawanna College and play football through an athletic scholarship.

“The teachers were respectful and really helped me,” Hawkins said.

Michael Schmidt needed help at the charter school he was attending. Going online when the pandemic hit made his situation worse. A counselor recommended Phase 4. He plans to enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces. Schmidt received the first Tom Reed Armed Forces Career Center Scholarship, named after Suica-Reed’s late husband. Phase 4 opened the armed forces career center in May as a resource for students interested in the military.

Phase 4’s approach was recognized by Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.

The school really helped Hawkins, who said graduating was a huge accomplishment for him. He said anything is possible with God’s blessing. He thanked his family and the staff at Phase 4.

“I never gave up,” he said. “My father is incarcerated but he still supported me and my mom helped me fight through tough times.”

Dionna Hawkins celebrated being a graduate with her daughter. Hawkins lost her mom and got pregnant at a young age but kept pushing to reach this day.

“I kept believing,” Hawkins said. “It was hard, but my message is never give up.”

Lilly Kubit | Tribune-Review

Bonnie McLain gets the late Matthew Steffy-Ross’ diploma. McLain is Steffy-Ross’ great aunt, and represented Ross at Baldwin Stadium, which hosted Phase 4 Learning Center, Inc. commencement on Saturday.

That was a message Steffy-Ross lived by, too.

“Matthew is God’s own sun beam,” McLain said as she clutched Steffy-Ross’ diploma. “He is shining on every other kid on the face of this earth. I want to keep his legacy alive. One of his T-shirt designs reads ‘Stay in the fight. Don’t give up.’”