What happens when you open the door to possibility?
On Friday, October 9, Harford County Education Foundation is inviting the community to find out at the Excellence in Education Showcase and Awards Breakfast, presented by APGFCU at Harford Community College’s Chesapeake Conference Center.
With this year’s theme, “Open the Door to Possibility,” the morning will be anything but an ordinary breakfast. Guests will step into an interactive celebration of learning, creativity and innovation, with Harford County Public Schools students at the center of the experience.
Students will showcase real-world learning through robotics, virtual reality, engineering design, art and technology, culinary arts and more. Student performances and creative experiences will add to a morning designed to let guests see, hear and feel the excitement of learning in action.
“This is a morning to experience education, not simply hear about it,” said Deb Merlock, President and Executive Director of Harford County Education Foundation. “When we open doors for students to imagine, innovate, collaborate, learn, create and achieve, we give them opportunities to discover what is possible for their futures.”
The Innovation Exploratorium will put students in the role of presenters as they share projects, ideas and demonstrations with business and community leaders. These interactions give students an opportunity to connect classroom learning to the real world, build confidence in their ideas and see how what they are learning today can shape where they go tomorrow.
The morning will also feature a special “Future Resume” keynote moment, offering guests a glimpse into possibility through the eyes of a student who will share a resume written 10 years into the future, imagining the life they hope to lead and the difference they hope to make.
The Excellence in Education Awards will also recognize the people and organizations whose leadership, service and commitment help create opportunities for students to succeed. Honorees include a school principal, assistant principal, local business and community leaders whose contributions strengthen education and make a lasting difference for students and schools.
The awards reinforce an important message woven throughout the morning: opening doors to possibility takes all of us. Students are at the heart of the event, while the awards recognize some of the people and organizations helping ensure they have opportunities to learn, grow and thrive.
The Showcase and Awards Breakfast is also an important fundraiser for Harford County Education Foundation. Funds raised support programs that remove barriers to learning, provide students with essential school supplies and learning materials, strengthen early literacy and school readiness, support families and bring innovative learning opportunities into classrooms.
“Possibility begins when a child has what they need, someone believes in their potential and an opportunity is placed in front of them,” Merlock said. “The unique role of the Education Foundation is connecting the generosity of our community with the needs of students, families and educators so more children have the opportunity to reach their full potential and build bright futures.”
Business leaders, educators, community partners and anyone who believes in the potential of Harford County’s young people are invited to attend.
Excellence in Education Showcase and Awards Breakfast
Friday, October 9, 2026
Harford Community College, Chesapeake Conference Center
401 Thomas Run Road, Bel Air
Registration and Breakfast: 8:30 to 9:00 a.m.
Program: 9:15 to 11:00 a.m.
Tickets are $80 per person. Sponsorship opportunities are available at https://bit.ly/ExcellenceinEducationBreakfast.
About Harford County Education Foundation
Harford County Education Foundation connects community generosity with the needs of Harford County students, families and educators. By removing barriers, filling gaps and creating opportunities that extend beyond what traditional funding can provide, the Education Foundation helps ensure children have the resources and experiences they need to reach their full potential and build bright futures.