Category Archives: Carson Scholars Fund

(Fort Myers, FL – April 1, 2009) — Forty-eight students were awarded college scholarships at the Inaugural Lee County Carson Scholars Fund Banquet held on Saturday, March 21, 2009, in partnership with the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools. Keynote speaker was Ben Carson, MD, founder of the Fund, and Bill Frey, of Sanibel Island, who established the Lee County Carson Scholars Fund with a $500,000 donation.Scholarship students were awarded the scholarship, a medal of honor and held up as a role model for other students. Each of the schools will receive a perpetual trophy engraved with the winners’ names.The Carson Scholars Fund was founded in 1994 by world-renowned Johns Hopkins pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Benjamin S. Carson and his wife, Candy, to reward elementary school students with scholarships for their academic and humanitarian qualities. The scholarship is invested for college education until graduation from high school.

The Carson Scholars Fund, in partnership with the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools, will monitor the students’ academics to assure they are performing at the scholarship standards. Annual statements will be sent to the students to show their scholarship and its growth over time.Permanent and named endowments are open to interested persons, businesses and organizations for the remaining elementary schools for a one-time $30,000 gift, or annual support ($1,500 a year) will allow for students from non-endowed schools to receive recognition and scholarships.

For more information on the Carson Scholars Fund, please contact the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools at (239) 337-0433, or the Carson Scholars Fund at (410) 828-1005 or carsonscholars.org

The 2009 Carson Scholars scholarship recipients are:
Lauren Tindle of River Hall Elementary is a multi-talented girl who enjoys many activities, including reading, dancing, music, sports, and volunteering in her community. When she grows up, she plans to become an actress or veterinarian.

Joshua Hubbard of Alva Elementary is a responsible student and a role model for his peers. He enjoys reading chapter books and is especially inquisitive when introduced to a new subject. Amidst his busy school schedule, he also finds time to volunteer at his church.

Philip Drake of Bonita Springs Middle is a hard worker and dedicated learner. He cares deeply about issues like the environment and works actively in his community.

Sophia Mucha of Bonita Springs Elementary School is a fifth grader, active in her community. She has participated in Toys for Tots and has served in the Bonita Springs Soup Kitchen. Her interests include reading, writing, and drawing. Sophia hopes to become a writer.

Andrew Ferguson of Spring Creek Elementary is a key member of the Recycle Rangers Club at school and is committed to helping the environment and educating others about the importance of recycling. An excellent student, Andrew still finds time to volunteer at a local pet store with his family, where he cleans cages and takes care of the animals.

Nora Ramirez of Pinewoods Elementary School is an inquisitive fifth grader. She enjoys reading, drawing, and playing the piano. In school, she serves as a Peer Mediator helping to resolve conflicts among her schoolmates. Nora aspires to become a veterinarian.

Trevor McDaniel of Patriot Elementary is a thoughtful boy with a wonderful sense of humor. He always has a positive attitude in the classroom and is very helpful toward his family and neighbors.

Rheaden Jackson of Caloosa Elementary has hobbies include drawing characters, playing the steel drums, and being a morning anchor for her school’s news program. This bright and enthusiastic child plans to become a pediatrician when she grows up.

Sarah Gonzalez of Cape Elementary couples her scholastic achievements with a long list of community service activities. Through the Kiwanis Kids service club, she has contributed to her community in many ways.

Christopher Brice of Diplomat Elementary is a hard-working student who challenges himself and others in the classroom. He pushes himself to succeed at high levels.

Victoria Garcia of Hector A. Cafferata Elementary cares deeply about the well being of members of her community. She volunteers in many capacities and thinks critically about issues faced by those around her.

Mackenzie Buss of Skyline Elementary is a motivated student and a positive role model for her peers. She juggles a busy schedule of sports and extracurricular activities while achieving well in school.

Shelby Dahl of Gulf Elementary School has a passion for reading. Whenever possible, you can find her with a book in her hand. In addition to reading, Shelby loves to write poems and enjoys painting and sculpting. When she grows up, she would like to be a Doctor of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Anna Dotstie of Pelican Elementary School is a very active fourth grader. At church she participates in the hand bell choir and plays the piano during the service. In addition to music, Anna enjoys art and her work has been on display at Center of the Arts. Anna aspires to become a Biologist.

Kristen Barzola of Trafalgar Elementary School is a fifth grader who dreams of becoming a fashion designer. Her interests include playing sports, writing stories, and taking pictures of wildlife. Kristen serves as the Class Student Council Representative and is active in the school’s Ecology and Scholars clubs.

Elizabeth O’Connor of Allen Park Elementary is a passionate and active member of her community. She participates in Girl Scouts assists first-year band students at her school. When she grows up, she plans on being a flutist or a journalist.

Michael John Chesnover, Jr.of San Carlos Park Elementary excels at academics, the arts, and sports. He participates in the Dance and Drama Club at his school, the Odyssey of the Mind Team, and a variety of sports activities.

Santiago Cossio of Tice Elementary is an avid reader, averaging 3-5 books per week. At the same time, he participates in a lot of volunteer work, including helping his family members and tutoring his peers.

Edwitch Merisier of Edison Park Elementary is a highly-motivated student who values learning. He also participates in many activities, including musical groups and school and basketball teams at his church and in his community.

Stephanie Sanchez-Garcia of Colonial Elementary is an excellent student who is well-respected by her peers and teachers. She is eager to learn and challenges herself by reading books above her grade level.

Arnold Gantz of Franklin Park Magnet School cares about the environment and works hard to protect it by cleaning lawns and beaches. Arnold also reads actively and was one of a handful of student chosen to represent his school in a district-wide competition, Lee County Sunshine State Book Battle.

Aaliyah Allen of Michigan International Academy is an eighth grader who enjoys writing, dancing, and drawing. Since her ultimate goal is to become an author, Aaliyah can frequently be found reading books from many different authors, topics, and genres.

Irene Tanner of Orangewood Elementary School is best described as dedicated. For the past nine years, Irene has taken dance classes. When not performing, she helps the school’s drama department with sets and costumes. When Irene grows up, she would like to become a veterinarian.

Erika Dennison of Three Oaks Elementary School dreams of becoming a veterinarian. In school, she is a voracious reader and gifted writer. Erica helps her community by serving as the Safety Patrol Captain and Recycle Ranger.

Jose Medina of Orange River Elementary School is a dedicated fourth grade student. Last year his strong work ethic earned him numerous school awards including: Citizen of the Year, Top Reader, and the Principal’s Award. In his spare time, Jose likes to play sports, read fiction books, and participate in the chimes choir. Jose hopes to become an archaeologist.

Joe Samuel of Treeline Elementary School is a fifth grader who dreams of becoming a pharmacist. He is known as a leader, role model, and determined young man. Joe likes to play football and basketball and enjoys reading.

Janet Cortez-Castaneda of Edgewood Academy is a dedicated student whose work ethic has earned her the title of “Edgewood Academy Cadet” for excelling academically, maintaining exemplary behavior, and being involved in the community. Janet’s interests include playing the piano, and reading biographies and fiction by Roald Dahl. She hopes to become a teacher.

Frederico Frech of Heights Elementary is a hard-working, involved student who is excited to learn. In class, he shares keen observations and discovers relationships and patterns between and within subject areas. He hopes to become a brain surgeon.

Alnaya Kendrick of Ray V. Pottorf Elementary is a diligent student who excels in each subject, especially math. She is an active member of the Southwest Florida Boys and Girls Club. She hopes to one day become a teacher.

Phillip Lee of Tanglewood Elementary is an excellent student and is very committed to his school and community. He is an active member of the Owl Society Breakfast, in which a group of students meets regularly with school administrators to discuss issues within the student body. He is also in Boy Scouts, and makes helping the community a priority.

Alana Brooks of Manatee Elementary is a motivated student and an avid reader. She helps her community by participating in beach and neighborhood clean-ups and by raising money for her Brownie Troop. She hopes to become a doctor someday.

Matthew Bauer of Gateway Elementary is an exemplary student, and was his school’s first inductee into the “Millionaires Club,” having documented one million pages of reading. He enjoys math and has been helping out younger students as a Math Coach.

Rachel Stachler of Villas Elementary has demonstrated a commitment to high scholastic achievement and is a role model to her peers. She has a strong work ethic and loves to read. She also helps to raise money and awareness for Autism Speaks.

Mary Katherine Boring of Rayma C. Page Elementary is a driven student who loves reading for fun. She is enthusiastic to learn new things in every subject, and is actively involved in many church and school activities. She is a Library Helper, a Recylcing Club member, a Reading tutor, and a peer mediator.

Tatum Flowers of Fort Myers Beach Elementary is an eager student who enjoys the challenge of tough academic assignments. She also cares a lot about the environment around her and volunteers actively in her community.

Devin Simons of Lehigh Elementary is a well-rounded child who excels academically while playing baseball, basketball, the recorder, and the bells. Devin plans to be an astronomer when he grows up.

Shelymar Perez-Jimenez of Mirror Lakes Elementary is a well rounded fifth grader who enjoys reading, basketball, and playing the flute. Shelymar serves her community by participating in canned food drives and has worked with the local fire department to create a fire safety video.

David Lounine of Sunshine Elementary has touched the lives of many in his community. He has helped neighborhood children with difficult homework assignments and served the elderly by helping with tasks around the house. He enjoys reading and playing basketball and one day would like to be an architect.

Serano Facey of Veterans Park Academy for the Arts is an avid reader who is always checking out books from the library. He takes pride in mastering new skills and is always eager to learn more. Whenever he sees or hears a word he doesn’t know, he looks it up in the dictionary and begins using it in his own writing.

Marissa Schmalzried of Harns Marsh Elementary is a devoted reader who can often be found in the library on weekends, Marissa is also involved in her community. She helped raise money for Christmas gifts for families in need, participated in a canned food drive for Thanksgiving baskets, and helped wash cars to raise money for the Breast Cancer Society.

Austin Knipper of Tropic Isles Elementary is a bright and motivated member of his school. While he is always enthusiastic about his own work, he also encourages his classmates to work hard in the classroom.

Holly Hassett of Dr. Carrie D. Robinson Littleton Elementary constantly thinks about how she can help those around her. For her last birthday, she asked for a dollar gift for herself, and nonperishable food items for a food drive at her school.

Katherine Wilhelm of Hancock Creek Elementary is an inspiration and motivator to her fellow classmates. Last year these attributes earned her the school’s “Do The Right Thing Award” for mentoring younger students. Katherine dreams of becoming a teacher.

Jarod Rehmann of J. Colin English Elementary School is a fifth grader who dreams of becoming a scientist. In school, he is a hard worker and a team player. He enjoys sports and is always happy to discuss his favorite baseball team, the New York Yankees.

Chase Brittain of Bayshore Elementary enjoys reading books about science and social studies, and excels in math. A highly self-motivated student, Chase has an exemplary attitude towards learning. Chase wants to be a doctor or an author someday.

Shane LeMaster of North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts loves reading chapter books, and challenges himself in school by using a complex vocabulary in his written essays. He believes that it is important to set high goals and work hard to achieve them.

Kaylee Brilhart of Pine Island Elementary understands the importance of education to achieving one’s dreams in life. She expresses this understanding not only through her excellent academic performance, but also by offering to read to kindergarteners during her recess time.

Grace Paul of The Sanibel School is a bright and caring girl who works hard in school and participates actively in her community. Grace has participated in many fundraisers and charities, both in and out of school.