Harford County Public Schools celebrated its 2026 Maryland General Assembly Student Pages on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at the annual Page Breakfast, recognizing five students and one alternate who will represent HCPS in Annapolis during the 2026 legislative session.
The selected pages are:
Alexander Fisher, Fallston High School
Daniel Cornitcher, Joppatowne High School
Gabrielle Moore Brooks, Aberdeen High School
Lily Weeks, C. Milton Wright High School
Samiha Barksdale, Aberdeen High School
Madison Rudd (alternate), North Harford High School
Words of Wisdom
During the celebration, students received meaningful advice from distinguished speakers who shared insights about public service and civic engagement.
Dr. Sean Bulson, HCPS Superintendent, encouraged the pages to embrace diverse perspectives during their time in Annapolis, emphasizing the importance of listening to people of all opinions, especially those whose opinions differ from your own.
Mr. Michael Brogley, Page Program Coordinator, spoke about the current climate in politics, discussing the importance of healing the divide and getting back to working together to find compromise—a message particularly relevant to the students' upcoming experience in the legislative process.
Dr. Carol Mueller, Board of Education of Harford County member, reminded the students that this is a great opportunity before them and encouraged them to step up and take it.
Belawoe Akwakoku, a 2012 graduate of Aberdeen High School and former HCPS page, shared his own experiences in the program, discussing the lasting bonds he formed with other pages and state legislators. Akwakoku is currently the Associate Director of State Government Affairs for the National Community Pharmacists Association, demonstrating the lasting impact and career connections the program can provide.
Members of the Harford County Delegation and local government officials also attended the breakfast to support the students as they prepare for this opportunity.
About Their Experience
During their time in the Maryland General Assembly, the pages will make important connections with legislators, gain firsthand insight into the legislative process, and witness democracy in action. The students will serve two nonconsecutive weeks during the 2026 legislative session, working in either the House of Delegates or the Senate.
About the Maryland Page Program
Since 1970, the Maryland General Assembly Page Program has provided high school seniors with a unique opportunity to experience state government firsthand. Each year, only 105 pages and 36 alternates are selected from across Maryland to represent their schools and counties in Annapolis, making this achievement particularly noteworthy.
Selected pages serve two nonconsecutive weeks during the legislative session, which runs from January through April. During the 13-week session, each page serves one week during the first seven weeks and returns for a second week of service during the final six weeks.
Pages are present whenever their assigned chamber is in session, where their duties include distributing materials on the floor, running errands, assisting visitors, and delivering messages to legislators. This non-partisan program offers students a front-row seat to witness democracy in action and see how bills become laws.
The program is non-patronage and selection is based on merit. Participating students must be Maryland residents attending a Maryland high school, be high school seniors at least 16 years old, and demonstrate an interest in government and history along with strong academic and conduct records.
For more information about the Maryland General Assembly Student Page Program, visit dls.maryland.gov/careers/student-page-program/.