Four Recognized as Pathfinders

Ron Ponder Featured Keynote Speaker

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Hosted at the University of Mount Union, the second Pathfinder Awards assembly recognized Sarah Brown, Bishop Nick and Dyanna Myers and Gloria Magrath as four of this year’s Pathfinder recipients.

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Junior Khairee Mitchell provided the history of the Pathfinder awards during the ceremony.

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Each year, Alliance City Schools hosts a series of Pathfinder Awards assemblies to recognize individuals who have been trailblazers for success. The recipients are recognized in five areas: arts and science, education, humanitarianism, citizenship/government and business. All individuals recognized as Pathfinders are either alumni who have been an inspiration to minorities in one of the above areas recognized either locally or out of the area or a non-ACS alumni who has been an inspiration to the local area.

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Sarah Brown was introduced by senior Gabriella Zucchero-Hatchett. Brown was recognized with the Citizenship/Government and Education Pathfinder. She is a 1961 graduate of Alliance High School. Brown received her juris doctorate from Case-Western University. While her children attended school at Alliance, she was heavily involved which led her to be elected to the Board of Education for two terms. Brown is a founding member of the AHS Alumni Association.

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Unfortunately, Brown was unable to attend the Pathfinder ceremony.

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Freshman Gabrielle Hill introduced the next Pathfinders. The Myers were recognized in the area of Arts.

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Bishop Myer and his wife, Dyanna, decided to settle in Alliance and raise a family. They made a point to not sit on the sidelines and watch as people struggled within Alliance. They have created a number of programs and opportunities to help better the Alliance Community. They have created festivals and activities and worked to create programs to provide for the needy. Their kindness and positive impact has been recognized on many occasions by the Alliance Community.

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Dyanna encouraged the students in attendance to map out a plan for their life and to follow it. Education is a way to make a difference and live the best life they possibly can.

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“You're sitting next to somebody that has the potential to change the world,” Dyanna said. “We don’t know who they are, but when you have enough, and we say I don’t want to be like my uncle or my cousin, the only we you can change things is to have a plan.”

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She encouraged the students to look to their family and know where they come from. To chose to pursue a path that will lead them to a good life.

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Bishop Myers had a similar message to never stop dreaming even if you make mistakes throughout your life.

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“Even if you make mistakes in life,” he said. “Pray, ask God to help you, he should do it and you will be blessed and you will be something in life.”

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He told the audience to look to the people in their lives for help because they are the one who will help them to get through.

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Senior Ke’Aijah Hawkins-Montgomery recognized Magrath with the Education and Humanitarianism Pathfinder.

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Magrath is not an Alliance High School graduate; however, in her time as an Alliance resident, she has dedicated much of her time to helping the community. She has 43 years worth of experience in management and administration in the not-for-profit sector. She has an extensive background in the areas of operations management, community planning, program outcome evaluation, grants management and strategic planning.

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Magrath spent many years working for the Stark County Head Start before becoming the director of Interfaith Child Development Center here in Alliance. She held that position until 1990, after which she became the director of the Alliance YWCA, the position she currently holds.

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She didn’t always know what she was going to do with her life. She was a hard-working student in high school and college, but when she graduated, her life fell apart. She had these words of wisdom for the audience:

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“If any of you are out there tonight and you are wondering where you are going, I want you to know it’s okay,” Magrath said. “It’s not a race. You will get there. You’ll figure it out, so just stay curious, stay engaged, get out there and surround yourself with people that bring out the best in you. Trust in yourself, because I am the living proof you will find your path.”

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The awards were a part of Mount Union’s Black History Month presentation featuring Ron Ponder as the keynote speaker. The acclaimed radio personality and host’s presentation was titled “What now?” He challenged the audience to think about how far civil rights have come and the evolution of civil rights into human rights.

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“What supersedes civil rights is human rights,” he said. “And that is where your generation is taking us. We have a lot of work to do because we still have to focus on civil rights because it is still an issue.”

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He grew up in a time when racism was still prevalent. There were two types of racism- born racism and institutionalized racism. He learned at a young age the difference between the two. He spoke about how the times have changed and the efforts of activism that has allowed the times to change. He encouraged the audience, made up of a large portion of college students, to recognize the change, but acknowledge there is still a lot of room for improvement and it is up to the people to strive for the change they want to see. He believes the younger generation is capable of making the change they want to see.

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“I’m waiting on you and you up there to tell me now what,” Ponder said.