Pittsburgh Prowess Prevails!
When the Pittsburgh scholars marched into the 17th floor banquet hall at the William Penn Hotel on Saturday, April 17, the group of over 150 not only extended all the way across the 100+ foot long room, they were two complete rows! The 6th annual ceremony was packed to capacity, the largest ceremony in the history of the Pittsburgh Carson Scholars organization!
Sally Wiggin of WTAE-TV channel 4 emceed the program for the 4th time, in her usual inimitable manner! The blessing was presented by two-time Carson Scholar winner Justin McCord, a 7th-grader at Woodland Hills Junior High School, who sang a powerful rendition of "The Lord's Prayer". The pledge of allegiance was then capably led by three-time winner Krithika Pennathur, a 7th-grader at Falk Laboratory School.
The huge surprise after lunch was the appearance of Steeler’s Quarterback, Charlie Batch. He regaled the crowd with his thoughts on the importance of education and informed us of his own educational foundation. He admonished all with this gem ," Do not go where the path may lead. Instead go where there is no path, and leave a trail." His comments ended with an equally inspiring gem, "Dreams are nothing more than plans awaiting action."
Internationally renowned cellist, Yoyo Ma is only one of the many musicians with whom 2010 scholar Jason Yoder has performed. This 11-grader from the Pittsburgh Creative & Performing Arts High School, who has also shared his wonderful talent with 1st Lady, Mrs. Obama, expertly performed a modernized version of the popular Japanese “Cherry Blossom Song”, (Sakura) with two mallets in each hand, on his warmly resonant marimba.
2008 scholar and graduate of the Baltimore School for the Arts, Jesse Carrey-Beaver, spoke eloquently on the impact Carson Scholars Fund has had on his life, and how it has helped him as a freshman at local Carnegie Mellon University.
Dr. Al Costa, founder and president of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Carson Scholars Fund, addressed the audience with thoughts on the reasons why the fund is important. He claimed he was involved for selfish reasons, for the joy and sense of accomplishment that is derived from being involved with encouraging and uplifting these inspiring young people. He compared his joy with the joy that his wife Mary receives from annually organizing the collection, wrapping, and distribution of toys from wish list’s of hundreds of underprivileged children in Pittsburgh communities. Dr. Costa also unveiled a new award, the Good Heart Award to be presented to a person who has unselfishly dedicated themselves to ensuring the success of the program. The inaugural recipient of the award is Sarah Piccione.
A slide show of exciting highlights of Carson Scholars banquets and chapters was narrated by Dr. Carson before he began his speech. He spoke on the importance of getting back on the right track with respect to education in this country and applauded the parents, guardians, and educators who made it possible for the scholars to win this award, citing how increasingly difficult it has become to earn it. Dr. Carson noted that our founding fathers felt the education of the populace is the key to having a balanced and effective government. He then charged the students to be what our nation needs, a generation of “solvers of problems.”
To close out the program, Candy Carson shared a touching story of one of the scholars who had tragic experiences in his life. His father suffered from cancer and passed away the following year; His mother had trouble accepting the loss and took her own life the following December. This young man dropped out of school his last semester to help raise his younger brother. He returned to school in the summer, still became valedictorian of his class, and received a scholarship to one of the premier schools in the country as a triple major in math, economics, and physics. He also made the Dean’s list, became president of his class, and started a suicide prevention support group. He had confided that the one thing that really brought him through that trying time was being a Carson Scholar, realizing that his award represented the faith someone showed in him.
Thank you all who have made this possible, letting our future leaders know that we’re behind them, and a Special thanks to our board members and sponsors.
Visualize bright, dedicated young people marching in on the balcony around the luncheon hall, peeling off like flower petals as they alternate going left and right to surround the audience with a “hug” of their brilliant and caring personalities. The largest number of awardees ever in the history of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Carson Scholars Fund were honored at the Omni William Penn Hotel, April 19th 2009. One hundred and twenty six total scholars were included, with more than fifty of those as repeat scholars! Charmingly emceed by popular newscaster Kim Easton from Pittsburgh’s Channel 11 News, the program progressed with a lovely scholar sharing her experience with foster care, and how she felt it was necessary to share her home with as many other children as she could to help others have a better chance at life!
Dr. Al Costa presented an intriguing analogy by posing questions about popular current and former Pittsburgh quarterbacks, and comparing them with intellectual giants of the past and present. Many had no idea who Bart Starr was, but were, of course, well acquainted with his present day counterpart, Ben Roethlisberger. Michelangelo was recognized by all even though he lived hundreds of years ago, which was Dr. Costa’s point. The academic accomplishments of Carson Scholars will more likely be remembered than if they excelled at sports and made sporting fame their priority.
Dr. Carson also addressed the audience on current issues and challenged the students to be even more active in their communities.
