**Looking for dedicated chapter representatives, specifically in the San Diego area.
Leadership Activities: Founder/president of Elevation Computer Science Honor Society; Founding member Elevation Student Leadership Team; Colorado Youth Diversity Conference representative; Founder/project manager of Elevate Local CO; Co-founder of Moby Mental Health Task Force
Service Activities: Founded The Can Campaign initiative to help address food instability and loneliness among the unhoused population; Program developer and leader of weekly computer programming classes for 4th grade students at a Title 1 school; Founder and team leader of Local Lift which develops media campaigns for under-resourced local businesses to help foster growth; Coordinates outreach efforts focused on enhancing mental health support for youth and vulnerable populations
Future aspirations: To combine his love of problem-solving with his knack for strategic-thinking to leverage technology to address social issues and promote community well-being
2024 West Coast Awards Banquet
Last but certainly not least, scholars from the West Coast were celebrated in Carlsbad, CA on June 6th amidst the presence of multiple notable CSF alums. Three-time Carson Scholar and current member of the CSF’s Associate Leadership Council, Grace Fogel, volunteered her time to serve as the master of ceremonies for the event. Her kindness and warmth radiated as she led the order of events for the evening. Very special guest, Dr. Bowen Jiang, was the evening’s honoree and was presented with the Sonya Carson Award, an award given in honor of Dr. Carson’s late mother. Dr. Jiang is a board-certified neurosurgeon, spine surgeon and director of the Providence St. Jude Neuroscience Institute. There he leads one of the premier robotic spine institutes and comprehensive stroke centers in Southern California. Dr. Jiang was a Carson Scholar in 2004 and completed his neurosurgery residency at Johns Hopkins where he worked closely with Dr. Carson! Notably, he is the first Carson Scholar who has been honored with an award by the organization as an adult. William Tantribeau, a 2018 Carson Scholar, was in attendance to celebrate his induction into the 2024 Carson Scholars Hall of Fame.
2023 West Coast Awards Banquet
West Coast scholars had the opportunity to hear from Marine Corps Infantry Officer, Paralympic athlete and motivational speaker, Eric McElvenny, at the awards banquet in Carlsbad, CA. Eric shared his journey of perseverance after he stepped on an improvised explosive device and suffered the amputation of his right leg while serving our country. Despite this life altering
injury, he represented team USA in a triathlon in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, completed eight full ironman races, ran two standalone marathons and has competed in over 50 other races. Eric shared his own take on Dr. Carson’s phrase, “Think Big,” and motivated scholars to set big goals and pursue them relentlessly.
2019 West Coast Awards Banquet
This year marked the 10th Annual West Coast Awards Banquet, where 117 new and 113 recognized Carson Scholars were honored for their academic achievements and humanitarian work. Family, friends and educators made the journey to the Omni La Costa Resort in Carlsbad, CA to show their unwavering support for their scholars. CBS San Diego News personality Heather Myers emceed the event for the second year and was pleased to see those familiar scholars from last year walk across the stage this April. 2019 Carson Scholar and 4th grade student Emily Diaz kicked off the event by leading the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. Candy Carson warmly welcomed the audience and reminded everyone just how incredible these scholars are and how it takes the support of family and passionate educators to help them along the way.
A beautiful redition of “Amazing Grace” was performed by talented harpist and 2019 Carson Scholar Liberty Floyd. The magnitude of the event could not have been possible without the continued generosity of Eleni and Wolfgang Gagon. It was only fitting then to play a tribute video honoring the incredible couple for their achievement and benevolence. This year, the Gagon Trust sponsored 85 new scholars and continue to fund dozens of Think Big Reading Rooms across Southern California.
The afternoon hit its peak when Dr. Carson introduced Dr. Bennet Omalu and presented him with the Trailblazer Award. Bennet Omalu is a Nigerian-born physician who holds eight degrees and professional certifications in the medical sciences and business management. Dr. Omalu identified Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy [CTE] in a retired football player when he performed an autopsy and examined the brain of Mike Webster. Subsequently, he identified CTE in other high-impact, high contact sports athletes and in military veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. His work and life have been featured extensively in all media platforms across the world including the major Hollywood film, Concussion, released in December 2015 by Sony Motion Pictures, in which the renowned actor, Will Smith, played Dr. Omalu.
Dr. Omalu’s breakthrough work is what led the next component of the afternoon – an essay reading from 2019 Carson Scholar Sabrina Smith. The 11th grade student and San Diego native shared her story of how two sports concussions created a path for her to serve others and further her appreciation for health and wellness. Kristin Berry illustrated her incredible service work as she introduced the keynote speaker and CSF’s co-founder, Dr. Ben Carson. Dr. Carson charmed the audience with stories from his work as a medical student and the importance of believing in your abilities along with sharing his thoughts behind his “Think Big” motto. View photos from the 2019 West Coast Awards Banquet
2018 West Coast Awards Banquet:
View photos from the 2018 West Coast Awards Banquet.
2017 West Coast Awards Banquet:
View photos from the 2017 West Coast Awards Banquet.
Seventh Annual West Coast Awards Banquet:
Click here to view photos from the banquet.
Sixth Annual West Coast Awards Banquet:
The plunging cliffs leading to crystal blue water in Dana Point, CA were a majestic setting for the Sixth Annual West Coast Carson Scholars Awards Banquet. Students and families from all over the West Coast gathered to celebrate high academic achievement. Union Bank’s Robbin Narike Preciado expertly led the festivities for the evening, emphasizing Union Bank’s ongoing commitment to education. Read more.
2015 West Coast Awards Banquet Photos
Fifth Annual West Coast Awards Banquet:
At the Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at University of California, San Diego, West Coast guests spent the evening honoring scholars and exploring the aquarium exhibits. Dr. and Mrs. Carson along with our partners, Union Bank, congratulated 34 new and 24 previous scholars at the West Coast Awards Banquet. Scholars, their families and guests were able to enjoy this beautiful Oceanside destination prior to the event. Read more.
Former Presidential Hopeful Rolls Out the Red Carpet to Honor Scholars
Ramona Home Journal, May 2016
New and Previous Carson Scholars were honored at an awards banquet held at San Diego State University.
Carson Scholars Fund holds banquet at SDSU
CBS 8, April 2016
The Carson Scholars Fund celebrated West Coast Carson Scholars at San Diego State University on Sunday, April 24.
ALCS Carson Scholar Wins National Pi Day Contest
ALChristian.com, March 2016
Ezekiel Zaruba, a 3-time Carson Scholar, tied for first place in the Carson Scholars Fund’s National Pi Day Contest.
16 San Diego County Students Honored As Carson Scholars
SDCOE, March 2016
New and previous Carson Scholars were selected as winners for the 2016 scholarship season.