Indiana

Indianapolis Chapter

To read about the 2011 Indianapolis Awards Banquet, click here!

2010 Indianapolis Awards Banquet

Indianapolis Scholars Banquet in Scholars Hall

The Scholars Banquet Hall at the University Place Conference Center of Indianapolis University was quite the appropriate site for the 4th Annual Awards Dinner for the Carson Scholars Fund Indianapolis Chapter on Tuesday, October 18, 2010.

Festooned with blue and white balloons, the stage was first occupied by local sports director of WISH-TV, Anthony Calhoun, who gave a warm welcome and emceed the event. Eric Simpson, Chaplain of the Colts’ organization, gave a moving invocation.

Remarks by Dr. Jacquelyn Clency, Assistant Superintendent of Indianapolis Public Schools, about the importance of education in developing our youth, continued to anchor our focus.

The keynote speaker was Jim Caldwell, Head Coach of the Colts, who had arrived back in town at 4:00 a.m., his long day begging him to go to sleep, but his heart saying “stay and encourage the scholars”! He spoke of his love of reading and learning, and how even in his busy season of strategizing and directing the team, he still finds time to read several books. He continued to inspire us, using an example of the book Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. He used the story of the emigration from Roseto, Italy in 1882 to bring home the fact that community support is vital to success and healthful longevity. Combining empathy and expertise can make a huge difference in solving societal woes. By having empathy for our fellow man and the expertise to follow through, we are more than halfway there!

Big screens then showcased highlights of the Celebrity Showdown, the Colts’ fabulous annual fundraiser benefitting the Carson Scholars Fund; the six newly established Ben Carson Reading Rooms in Indianapolis; and an inspiring message from Dr. Carson.

The scholars were then announced, and as they processed across stage, they received their medals from Candy Carson, who couldn’t resist hugging each of them. Coach Caldwell awarded each scholar with his or her certificate and sealed the deal with a heartfelt handshake.

Before concluding the program, Candy Carson encouraged the students to continue to learn and prepare, for as tomorrow’s leaders, the future of our country is in their hands.

Photo ops of the entire group of 48 scholars provided solid memories of the occasion.

Local station WISH-TV interviewed the guests and televised the facts later that evening.

Very special thanks to the Colts’ organization; Coach Caldwell for a phenomenal speech; and Stephanie Mathes, Katy Starbuck, and the rest of the Colts Community Relations staff for a wonderful celebration of academic excellence.

2010 Indianapolis Carson Scholars with Coach Caldwell and Candy Carson

Yes…all at once!  Indiana opens several reading rooms!

Not one, not two, not three or even four!  But six Ben Carson Reading Rooms were opened simultaneously in Indianapolis on the morning of May 3^rd.  Through the magic of simulcasting and the accomplished technique of Dale Levitz of the Johns Hopkins Medical Video Production Department interfacing with Indianapolis public, private and charter schools,  all schools were able to participate.  The big screen at each school was divided so that each school could view all the other schools participating! 

Louis B. Russell, Jr. Elementary School #48 was the host, where the program to celebrate the openings was held for the simulcast to the other schools.  Acting Principal Rosa Jardine opened the program with a welcome and introductions of two students who would be reciting poetry.   The poems “Adventures in Books” and “Life is Fine” by Langston Hughes each came to life as Gianna Wright and Desmon Richardson, respectively, spoke the words quite theatrically.  Dr.George Rausch, Associate Dean for Indiana University School of Medicine, and principal organizer of this magnificent effort, emceed.  Remarks from Mr. Karega Rausch from Mayor Gregory Ballard’s office, Dr. Craig Brater, Dean of Indiana University School of Medicine, Stephanie Mathes, Community Relations Coordinator of the Indianapolis Colts, the Superintendent of Indianapolis Public Schools Dr.Eugene White, and Dena Cushenberry, Associate Superintendent of Warren Township Schools, PreK- Fifth Grade; each addressed different facets of the importance of reading, how it can impact one’s life, and challenged the students to really take advantage of the wonderful opportunity provided by their Reading Rooms.   Candy Carson followed with a short history of the Ben Carson Reading Room program since inception.

Dr. Ben Carson was then beamed in from Philadelphia with a message for the students which included the story of his mother’s decision to turn off the TV set and require Ben and his brother to read and submit book reports on two library books every week.   He also encouraged the students with examples of how reading really changed his life.

During the subsequent question and answer period, each school in turn had a student come to the camera at their forum to pose their question.  Dr. Carson did not disappoint with his well-thought-out answers.  The other schools participating were:

Wendell Phillips School #63

Christel House Academy

F.W. Parker School #56

Pleasant Run Elementary

South East Neighborhood School of Excellence (SENSE) Charter School

As we travelled the lovely student-art-decorated halls from the program site to the actual Reading Room of Russell Elementary for the ribbon cutting ceremony, their own young jazz ensemble serenaded us with the harmonies of Duke Ellington and other jazz greats, led by music teacher, George Smith!

Click here to see the Louis B. Russell, Jr. Elementary School Reading Room

Click here to see the Wendell Phillips Elementary School Reading Room

Click here to see the Francis R Montesorri School Reading Room

Click here to see the Pleasant Run Elementary School Reading Room

Click here to see the SENSE Charter School Reading Room

2009 Indianapolis Awards Ceremony

Each year, the Carson Scholars Fund recognizes and rewards students in grades 4 – 11 who have earned the highest level of academic achievement and also display strong humanitarian qualities with $1,000 college scholarship awards.  This year, the Carson Scholars Fund is proud to announce that 530 talented students from across the country have been named Carson Scholars, with 82 recipients from Indiana.  To date, the Carson Scholars Fund has awarded over 3,900 college scholarships in thirty-four states and the District of Columbia.

The Indiana scholars were honored at a recognition ceremony in the presence of their families, educators, and community members.  This year’s attendees included Head Coach Jim Caldwell of the Indianapolis Colts, as well as the principals and administrators of the scholars.  The 2009 scholarships were funded by The Indianapolis Colts.

2009 Indianapolis Carson Scholars at the Awards Ceremony

Celebrity Showdown Event

The Fifth Annual Celebrity Showdown was held in the Colts training facility in Indianapolis on Wednesday, June 10th, 2009. The Colts continued the tradition of a head-to-head game show, pitting defense against offense. This "Back to School" event included speeches by Dr. Carson and the Colts Head Coach, Jim Caldwell. To date, the Celebrity Showdown event has raised over $600,000 towards the Indianapolis Chapter of the Carson Scholars fund. To see streaming video of this wildly successful and fun event, and to hear Dr.Carson talk about the importance of the support the Carson Scholars Fund receives from the NFL team, click here.