As the location of our national headquarters, Maryland hosts our oldest and largest regional chapter. Each year, the Maryland Awards Banquet honors both Maryland-area winners and Carson Scholars from across the country.
2024 Carson Scholar York Zhou epitomizes resilience and determination as he navigates life’s challenges. With a fervent passion for innovation and creative exploration, he aspires to make an indelible mark on the world through his relentless pursuit of greatness. York’s diverse range of hobbies reflects his personal growth journey, from counting coins in childhood to mastering the piano and gracing the stage at Carnegie Hall. His middle school years were marked by the thrill of basketball and swimming, leading to Junior Olympic success in high school swimming. York has also taken on various leadership roles, including president of the Student Government and the youth group in the Mid-Hudson Chinese Association, as well as volunteering at the VBS in the Mid-Hudson Christian Church and Hua Xia Chinese School. Each experience has shaped him, instilling values of responsibility, teamwork, and community engagement, driving his pursuit of excellence and his commitment to building a diverse and vibrant community.
28th Annual Maryland Awards Banquet: View photos from the 2024 Maryland Awards Banquet.
The atmosphere was buzzing at The Hall At Live! Casino on May 19th for the 28th annual Maryland Awards Ceremony! The event was graced with scholars, donors, volunteers and friends of the CSF from Maryland and the mid-Atlantic region. Baseball legend and Maryland native Cal Ripken Jr. was honored with the Power of Excellence Award for his remarkable career playing Major League Baseball and for serving as a positive role model to others. In his speech to the scholars, Mr. Ripken spoke about the power and importance of perseverance, its impact on his life and how, more than anything else, it allowed him to break records throughout his career.
27th Annual Maryland Awards Banquet: View photos from the 2023 Maryland Awards Banquet.
The air was filled with music at Martin’s West in Baltimore, MD as five-time Carson Scholar Faith Andreen accompanied principal tubist of the New
Mexico Philharmonic and the Santa Fe Symphony, Dr. Richard White, in a beautiful performance of Water Music. After the duet, Dr. White spoke about how he went from growing up in dire poverty and homelessness to becoming a renowned classical musician, bestselling author and Professor of Tuba/Euphonium at The University of New Mexico. During his speech, Dr. White shared the refrain, “I am possible, you are possible, we are possible, impossible is possible…everything is possible,” reinforcing that with hard work, passion and mentors to help you along the way, there is nothing you can’t accomplish!
26th Annual Maryland Awards Ceremony: View photos from the 2022 Maryland Awards Ceremony.
23rd Annual Maryland Awards Banquet: View photos from the 2019 Maryland Awards Banquet.