As they take the stage for the closing weekend of their spring musical "Anastasia" on April 5 and 6, the CB East "Patriots Players" are also celebrating another major accomplishment—raising over $9,200 for the Make-A-Wish "Rising Stars" fundraising program to help Madalyn, a 16-year-old with leukemia, get her wish: a trip to Disney World!
Led by senior Beau Bradley, the CB East theater group spent eight weeks—between January 27 and March 21—rallying behind Madalyn by hosting events, workshops, and performances to support her and other children with critical illnesses and conditions. Their fundraising total was the highest of the 14 Rising Stars fundraising teams, and Beau was recognized for his leadership and commitment with a $7,500 scholarship from Make-A-Wish.
"The Patriot Players have been long-time supporters of Make-A-Wish," Joanna Kim, the development director at Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, Delaware and Susquehanna Valley, said. "Through the Rising Stars program, high school juniors and seniors are empowered to apply key skills such as leadership, marketing and project management, furthering their education while making a meaningful impact in their communities."
In total, this year's Rising Stars fundraising teams raised over $82,600.
Prior to the Patriot Players' April 3 performance, Joanna visited Beau and the other performers to deliver a celebratory plaque. She then watched them in action.
"I had a great time," she said. "The students are so talented."
Published April 5, 2025