The Philadelphia High School For Creative And Performing Arts has recently lost its founding principal, Dr. John Vannoni. He was 91. To honor his memory, dedication, and commitment, the school's alumni is hoping to honor his memory and the school's legacy by dedicating a historical marker on CAPA's 40th anniversary.

In December of 1977, Dr. Vannoni was appointed to the principalship of CAPA, which was to be opened by February 2, 1978 or the grant and CAPA's concept would be rescinded along with a $307,000 US Federal Grant that was being provided for the United State's first desegregated magnet high school for the arts.

Given only six weeks, Dr. Vannoni accomplished the impossible, CAPA met the deadline and moved into its original home on the top floors of the Atlantic Building located on the northwest corner of Spruce Street and Broad (AKA The Avenue Of The Arts.) This is where we would like the Pennsylvania Historical Commission to permit the marker to be placed.

Today CAPA's student body has tripled and calls the historic Ridgway Building at Broad and Christian home.