The event, sponsored by the Naval Academy chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), took place in the Bywater neighborhood of Annapolis. The Midshipmen delivered books donated through the Books for International Goodwill project to the Bywater Boys and Girls Club, and spent the morning visiting with neighborhood residents.

‘‘Problems with education in our youth are not just an issue in inner cities such as Washington, D.C., or Baltimore, but right here in our own Annapolis community,” said Midn. 2⁄C Meagan J.D. LaBossiere, NSBE treasurer, who coordinated and planned the event.

LaBossiere, a quantitative economics major assigned to 25th Company, grew up in Montgomery County, Md. She explained that the goal of AWFE is to highlight the opportunities available in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math, and to dispel misconceptions about minorities in technological fields.

‘‘Reaching out to the children, our future leaders of tomorrow, is more than just an obligation for me, but more importantly a privilege,” said LaBossiere. ‘‘Here at the Naval Academy, we have been placed in a unique position to influence those around us. Our education would be in vain if we neglect to impact our youth in the areas of education, leadership, and role modeling.”

‘‘Some of these kids haven’t been taught the importance of education,” said Midn. 4⁄C Benjamin Rathwell. ‘‘It’s not that they aren’t smart enough or deserving enough, they just don’t know what’s in store for them.”

Rathwell, of 4th Company, was walking door-to-door when he stopped at one house and began talking to a high school student. When asked what he thought about school, the young man told Rathwell he hated it and just wanted to just graduate, get out, and be done with it. After talking for a while about the benefits of a good education, they ended up discussing college options.

‘‘What it all came down to is just that he didn’t know,” said Rathwell. ‘‘He had never been told what an education was worth or why he should have one, and I believe that [we] made a positive difference in that young man’s life in just a matter of minutes.”

Lt. Bralyn Cathey, 27th Company Officer, said he decided to join the Midshipmen on AWFE because he agreed with their philosophy that Sailors and Marines assigned to the Naval Academy should be involved in programs in the local Annapolis community.

‘‘Overall the response was greatly appreciated and warmly received, said Cathey. ‘‘The neighborhood gave tremendously helpful feedback regarding our efforts. What they deemed most important was a follow-up from our initial visit.”

LaBossiere spent more than six months coordinating and planning AWFE. NSBE considered a variety of areas, and finally decided on the Bywater area because the neighborhood lay-out made it conducive to holding the event. The Midshipmen worked extensively with the Bywater Boys and Girls Club leadership, as well as representatives from the Boys and Girls Club of Anne Arundel County. NSBE members distributed pamphlets about local college admissions, area vocational schools, General Education Development (GED) tests, SAT⁄ACT, NSBE Resources, and financial aid.

‘‘Our primary focus is to take a more active approach in personally spreading the word of education in racial minority communities where education might be under-emphasized,” LaBossiere explained. ‘‘Our NSBE club wants to show the Annapolis community that we care about the future of their children.”

According to Cathey, who also serves as NSBE’s officer representative, the Midshipmen benefit from participating in programs like AWFE just as much as the residents of the Bywater community.

‘‘The Midshipmen are preparing to enter a world of service. They will be called upon as Sailors and Marines to help this nation and nations around the world in various ways. Why not cement that foundation while learning to lead and follow as Midshipmen?” said Cathey.

Rathwell agreed.

‘‘I think that as future officers in the armed forces it is essential that we reach back to the community and help people in need,” Rathwell said. ‘‘There were people in the community who live just minutes away from the Academy and haven’t been on the Yard before. Some people think it’s an enlisted boot camp. Some don’t even know it’s here at all. I think that as we reach out and help the public more, the more it helps us in return.”

AWFE began as a regional event in Dallas in 2001. It was so successful that NSBE committed to sponsoring AWFE events nationwide. Each of NSBE’s six regions now holds AWFE events annually.