THIRTY EIGHT STUDENTS IN 27 CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WIN 2008 CARSON SCHOLARS FUND AWARD

PITTSBURGH – Thirteen high school students in Catholic high schools and 25 Catholic elementary school students, were recently selected as 2008 Carson Scholars Fund Award recipients. Fifteen of the students had won once before, and Jordan Oeler of Serra Catholic High School was honored for the third time, with the first award at St. Agnes in West Mifflin and the other two at Serra.

Applicants for the award had to submit a biography, evidence of volunteer activities and community service and a profile of their interest in reading, love of learning and accomplishments.

Secondary students from Catholic schools named as Carson Scholars are Emily Lorence of Bishop Canevin in Pittsburgh’s Oakwood neighborhood; Eric Dian and Ronald Reha, Jr. of North Catholic in Pittsburgh’s Troy Hill neighborhood; Rachel Gettinger and Kelly Mehal of St. Joseph in Natrona Heights; Nicholas Merzlak and Jordan Oeler of Serra in McKeesport; Edward Quigley and Rebecca Bosetti of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Coraopolis; Katherine Welsh of Seton LaSalle in Mt. Lebanon; Joshua Smith and Christopher Kincak of Vincentian Academy-Duquesne University in the North Hills; and Brian Horner of Central Catholic in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood.

Elementary students named as Carson Scholars include: Sarah Pace, Assumption School, Bellevue; Claire Lichius, Divine Mercy Academy, Beaver Falls; Anneleise Williams, Holy Redeemer School, Ellwood City; Nicholas Smydo, Madonna Catholic Regional School, Donora; Marc Malloy, Sacred Heart Elementary School; Katelyn Oeler, St. Agnes School, West Mifflin; Emily Golling, St. Bartholomew School, Penn Hills; Aaron Horne, St. Bartholomew School; Marissa Paredes, St. Bartholomew School; Emily Onorato, St. Cyril of Alexandria, Brighton Heights; Zachary Jackson, St. Cyril of Alexandria School; Jessica Matthews, St. Germaine School, Bethel Park; Claire Kuszajewski, St. Irenaeus, Oakmont; Sierra Weir, St. Irenaeus School; Erica Caracciolo, St. Joan of Arc School, South Park; Abigail Houston, St. Michael, Elizabeth; Abby Lochran, St. Patrick School, Canonsburg; Laura Tarnow, St. Philip School, Crafton; Sierra Welsh, St. Philip School; Robert McKinstry, St. Raphael School, Morningside; Kimberly Aland, St. Rosalia Academy, Greenfield; Amy Mitch, St. Wendelin School, Cabon Center; Kyle Smith, St. Wendelin School; Jacob Schramm, Transfiguration School, Russellton; Jacquelyn Klunk, Word of God Catholic School, Swissvale

The Carson Scholars Fund, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity that was founded in 1994, by Johns Hopkins pediatric neurosurgeon, Dr. Benjamin Carson and his wife, Candy, to recognize and reward students in grades 4-11 who strive for academic excellence (3.75 GPA or higher) and demonstrate a strong commitment to their community. Carson Scholars are not just smart, says the overview of the program. They demonstrate real concern for people and their community through civic and humanitarian activities.

The scholarships are awarded without regard to race, creed, religion or financial need. Scholarships are awarded for attendance at four-year colleges and universities upon the student's graduation from high school.

Since its inception the Carson Scholars Fund has awarded over 2,800 scholarships. The Carson Scholars Fund currently operates in Maryland, Delaware, Washington, DC and selected areas in California, Georgia, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Washington (state) and Wisconsin.

The Pittsburgh Chapter of the fund is headed by Alfonso Costa, who is an alumnus of St. Raphael in Pittsburgh’s Morningside neighborhood.