Pittsboro, NC – Several Chatham County Schools (CCS) students have been distinguished as 2018 Carson Scholars based on their academic achievement and community service. Qualifying high school students must have grade-point averages of at least 3.75.
The Carson Scholars Fund awards $1,000 college scholarships to students in grades 4-11. Each scholarship recipient also receives an Olympic-sized medal, and his or her school gets a trophy to mark the achievement.
This year’s CCS Carson Scholars are:
- Bella Ocampo, Chatham School of Science and Engineering
- McKinley Rogers, Jordan-Matthews High School
- M. Amber Worley, Chatham Central High School
- Vickie Lian, Virginia Cross Elementary School
- Danny Willett, Bonlee School
- Caroline Bowman, Perry Harrison Elementary School
- Annika Lowe, Silk Hope School
Eligible students are nominated by educators at their schools. One student per school may apply.
“These awards highlight what I already knew — that we have well-rounded students who are performing well not only academically but are committed to doing positive work in their communities,” CCS Superintendent Dr. Derrick D. Jordan said.
The namesake of the Carson Scholars Fund is Ben Carson, who grew up in poverty yet became a physician, namely a noted neurosurgeon.
In March 2017, Carson resigned his positions with the Carson Scholars Fund in order to serve as U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.