Atlanta Chapter

Atlanta and Chattanooga Scholars Soar in Georgia!

More than 500 people convened in the Leadership Center of Morehouse College on Friday, May  6th  for the 8th Carson Scholars Awards Ceremony in Atlanta.  This year of the 50 scholars present, 12 were from nearby Chattanooga, TN, so Atlanta is crossing new boundaries!  The festivities commenced with a lovely buffet banquet, where scholars, their families, and community leaders all mingled at elegant linen-covered tables over a delicious gourmet meal.  All the guests then retired to the auditorium across the hall, while the scholars lined up for the procession.

It was an awesome sight as the stately music, “Procession of the Nobles” by Rimsky-Korsakoff ushered the scholars into the auditorium.  The two lines of high academic achievers split in the middle aisle of the room, for the students to process up the side aisles of the venue and cross each other as they marched across the stage from opposite directions.

Emceeing the program was Tom Jones from WSB-TV Channel 2.  AT&T Senior Vice President of GEM Markets, AT&T Operations, Xavier D. Williams spoke on the privilege of sponsoring such a worthwhile program, and being a part of encouraging the future leaders of America to do their best.
Carson scholar alumni and Morehouse student, Jordan Nesmith shared his experiences as a scholar and college student with the audience.

Keynote speaker, Dr. Carson spoke on the importance of developing oneself to the utmost, to be valuable to those around you, and charged the students to be prepared to remedy the situation the current and past generations have allowed to develop.  He narrated a comprehensive slide presentation showcasing the recent highlights of Carson Scholars programs across the United States.

Candy Carson then introduced a special guest, Khao Cates, a young record producer .  Although this young man looks to be no older than 27, he has already produced 16 platinum records!  This year he has taken a leave from his normal pursuits to develop an innovative curriculum of character development utilizing the musical genre of hip-hop.   This curriculum includes a CD, DVD, and workbook to aid elementary through high school students in their studies.  Candy informed the audience that Khao, as a role model dedicated to helping students increase their learning capacities, would be helping in the award process.

As Tom Jones read the name of each scholar, the student proudly wore their medal as they walked across the stage to receive their certificate from the superintendent, and congratulations from Dr. & Mrs. Carson and Khao.

As a special finish, “To Dream the Impossible Dream” came over the public address system as the newest Carson Scholars waved their lit glow sticks, reaching for that “unreachable star!"
Many thanks to the Atlanta and Chattanooga scholarship committees and to the volunteers who handled the logistics of the phenomenal program!  And special thanks also to our principle sponsor, AT&T, the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga, and the Mountain Education Foundation.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Atlanta is one of our earliest chapters. Scholarship awards were first granted in 2003 and Atlanta has been active ever since.

On August 28th, 2008,thirty-eight of Atlanta’s "best and brightest" students were honored at the the 2008 Scholar Awards Ceremony at Morehouse College. Dr. Carson delivered the keynote address and congratulated the students on their accomplishments. Also in attendance were Dr. Robert Michael Franklin, President of Morehouse College and Michael Pitts, Executive Director of School Reform for the Atlanta Public Schools.

For more information on the Atlanta Chapter, please contact Tammy at tammy@carsonscholars or 410-828-1005.