The Pathway Experience - A 60-Year Legacy in Special Education

About The Pathway Experience - Virtual Event

Celebrating our 60-year legacy promoting our mission to build academic, social, and life skills in students with special needs to promote their success and independence after Pathway.

Each year Pathway hosts a Gala to honor our donors, to celebrate our remarkable students and their accomplishments, and to raise funds for the school. This year we are shifting our in-person gala to an online, virtual fundraising event. These funds are needed now more than ever and enable Pathway to provide an innovative and supportive educational environment for our students. Due to COVID-19, we are bearing extraordinary expenses in order to provide a safe school environment for all our students, our staff, and our entire Pathway community.

This virtual event will provide the opportunity for new audiences to join us including families present and past, our staff and their families, friends from the community, and more. We hope you join us on Thursday, November 19, 2020 from 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM to celebrate 60-years of Pathway and to raise money to support our students and our school! 

Event Featured Speakers: 

Dave Raymond, original Phillie Phanatic and author of "The Power of Fun!"

Moving directly from college student to campy green fur-ball, Dave Raymond pioneered the field of sports mascots with his innovative inhabitation of the world-renowned Phillie Phanatic! He was the original Phanatic, and his vision and performance skill spawned a revolution in the mascot industry. The personality that Dave created has entertained over 20 million people and his design thinking led to a multi-million-dollar brand extension for the Philadelphia Phillies and the city of Brotherly Love. After he left the Phillies in 1993 he has done the same for some of the largest companies in the US and around the world.

Using the Phanatic as his muse, David created a theory called the Power of Fun! that if harnessed will make you happier, healthier and more productive. "I studied, unknowingly, under a true master of fun! The Phillie Phanatic taught me how valuable fun is and why all of us should strive to use fun as a powerful tool to combat life challenges and learn how to be happier. The Power of Fun can change your life!"

Chris Hall, Alumni Speaker

Chris Hall graduated from The Pathway School in 2009. Chris was a hard worker and very respectful of his friends and staff while at Pathway. He left his mark in our Careers Program where he was awarded Intern of the Year for his Horse Grooming position at Shannondell Farms. At first, Chris would never choose to step into the spotlight until he found his inspiration to become a professional mascot after attending Pathway's Halloween party dressed as Rudolph. His confidence grew within the guise of the mascot character and since then he has performed more than 25 characters as a Freelance Mascot including Chick-fil-A Cow, Wally the Goose (Wawa), Pirate Pete (Cape May Lewes Ferry), Ice Guy (Rita's Water Ice), Easter Bunny, Fantasy Dragon, Rudolph, Kirby the Krimpet (Tastykake), Daniel Tiger, and many more. He participated in a Career Day at Pathway and shared with an audience of 200 staff and students what it is like to be a professional mascot and be the "life of the party". Chris's story was featured on season 2 of HULU's Original Series "Behind the Mask". Currently, he is living in Cherry Hill, NJ while continuing to pursue his professional mascot career. 

Chris Hall and Dave Raymond at a Mascot Hall of Fame event.