The 14th annual Pathways-wide rally underscored this year's theme "Students Today - Leaders Tomorrow". Held at the East County Community Center on November 1, the event recognized students who have taken the initiative to make the world a better place. A striking example of this is Madison Alcorn, whose story is included below.

Steel drum performance

A highlight of the rally was the exuberant performance by Kevin Martin, aka Rock Creek Steel Drums, joined by students and staff from Pathways-Anne Arundel. These young musicians had taken part in workshops led by Mr. Martin in an arts residency funded by the Maryland State Arts Council.

This year's keynote speaker was Pathways' own Waverly Carter. He used a striking concrete image of a key to talk about how students are now cutting their own keys that will give them a choice: the key will either open the door to success or to destruction. He asked them to consider the stark reality of which door they are preparing to open. The talk fully engaged the students, who at the conclusion of the rally were able to actually place cutouts of keys on visual representations of the two doors.

Mr. Carter's speech highlighting the self-determination and discipline needed to make good choices was the ideal introduction to the student performances that followed. Musicians, dancers and poets each displayed courage in offering their talent to their peers. The audience responded enthusiastically in an outpouring of support and encouragement. It truly was an outstanding example of the positive Pathways spirit which can turn the students of today into the leaders of tomorrow. 

Eighth grader Madison Alcorn has a cause. A few years ago her mother had a frightening close call with breast cancer. It was caught early, and today she is fine, but the experience left Madison with a strong desire to help breast cancer patients. So when Madison heard about breast cancer awareness fundraising activities going on in the public schools, she was determined to launch a campaign in her own school at Pathways. She started by designing a poster and talking with her teacher and with Pathways-Northwood principal Ms. Mical. An idea emerged to hold a "Think Pink" day in which students would be allowed to pay $1 to be out of uniform and wear pink. After putting up her poster and announcing the "Think Pink" day to the school, Madison got in touch with the Breast Cancer Society, whose staff was so impressed with her efforts and interest that they sent 100 tee shirts and pink bracelets which could be sold to raise even more money. Madison has chosen to donate the money raised by her campaign to the Society's

Madison at the rally with  Dr. Williams and Dr. DuBeau

Empower One Scholarship Fund, which assists breast cancer patients in obtaining a college degree or trade certificate in order to improve their ability to provide for themselves and their families. Madison, an honor roll student with excellent attendance, was recognized at the Pathways Spirit Rally for her leadership.