Banquet by the Pacific

Gorgeous ocean views greeted an ecstatic group of academic revelers as the first California banquet  took place on May 19th at the exclusive Resort at Pelican Hill near Los Angeles.  Not only did Union Bank sponsor the event, but many of their high level officials were present in support of these newest high academic achievers associated with the Carson Scholars Fund.  Looking past the backdrop of the world class golf course, students, their parents and educators, and sponsors could see the majestic Pacific ocean as they made their selections from the gourmet buffet set up next to the floor to ceiling windows.

Chairman of the CSF Board, Lee Warner capably emceed the program, beginning with a history of the organization, and comparing the first 25 scholarships awarded 14 years ago to the 434 first-time scholars and 413 repeat scholars of this year!  He related the astounding fact that the scholarship fund currently has over 4,300 scholar winners in 42 states!  Lee also shared some of the amazing stories of several scholarship winners including one who studied by candlelight when the electric bill couldn’t be paid, one who helped manage a presidential campaign, one who became a television producer there in California, one who after chemo treatment for his cancer persevered to achieve a 4.0, and one who after being orphaned, helped to raise his younger brother and is finishing up a triple major in math, physics, and economics at Johns Hopkins University while holding a job and speaking out on suicide prevention!

Julius Robinson, who joined Union Bank in 1983, and is now head of the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility Group was then introduced.  Julius manages the bank’s community development efforts, serves as the community reinvestment act officer and is chairman and chief executive of the Union Bank Foundation.  He is also responsible for the bank’s community advisory board and oversees the bank’s environmental stewardship efforts.  Julius recalled that he is required to attend many events in his current capacity with the bank, but stated that this event honoring academic prowess is uniquely profound in the humanitarian efforts that are required.  He said “these kids are role models we can really look up to!”

The scholar spotlight shone on Marlon Silva, an 11th grade student at Animo Justice Charter High School.  He spoke on the effect of “one”.  When the administrators of his school decided to remove the AP courses, he spearheaded an effort to protest this, leading a huge number of supporters whose combined efforts effected the desired change….they got their AP courses back!
After Dr. Carson’s inspiring speech, the student scholars as they processed toward the lectern, were each introduced with a short bio of their academic and humanitarian accomplishments by Candy Carson. 

Endowment donors, Richard and Alinde Herron and representatives from event sponsor Union Bank, & Mr. Julius Robinson along with Dr. Carson,  awarded certificates and medals to the high achievers.

L.A. Soiree Extraordinaire

The 2nd event of the evening took place in the ballroom next door to the suite where the celebratory dinner by the ocean was held.

“Union Bank presents an evening with Dr. Ben Carson” was how the evening was billed, and the event did not disappoint.  Over 100 high-end clients and associates of Union Bank gathered to enjoy the gourmet cocktail reception from 6-7pm.  Afterwards, Market President Stuart Bernstein of Union Bank began the program with a warm welcome.  He also introduced Dr. Carson, who narrated an informative slide show of recent events put on by the Carson Scholars program, including Sam Donaldson’s emceeing of the principle awards ceremony in Baltimore, and scenes from several of the various chapters of the scholarship program.

Two of the newest Carson Scholar honorees addressed the audience off the cuff in grand style.  Young Ried Mackay, a 9th-grader from Hunter Junior High School in West Valley , Utah spoke of his enjoyment in helping others through his work with the production of listening material for blind students, and the Linus program, a charity he discovered online, where anyone can take it upon themselves to make blankets to give to local police departments for their troopers to carry in their cruisers as aids to calm youngsters involved in domestic violence.  5th-grader Samara Aamer of Oleander Elementary School also wowed us with her gutsy poise in speaking to the large audience about her academic interests and how she feels rewarded by giving back to her community in various ways.

Dr. Carson continued with a discourse on the state of our country, the history of the importance of education in our country, and charged us all to do what we can to preserve our status as a world leader, by doing what we can to encourage our future leaders.

The question and answer session following the speech clarified points, at the end of which, Carl Ballton of Union Bank presented Dr. and Mrs. Carson with a check for the scholarship fund in the amount of $20,000!!  A huge thank you to our supporters at Union Bank and to Joanne Curran and Tanya PeeblesHill for making all the arrangements.