From Coast to Sky: West Palm Beach, FL Scholars Soar in 2025

Scholars, educators and guests came together to honor students on Florida’s Atlantic Coast on April 14^th in West Palm Beach.  Kate Hussey from WPTV served as host of the evening.

This year’s banquet theme was Soaring to New Heights, a concept that perfectly summarizes not only this year’s Carson Scholars, but the thousands of alumni before them. We aimed to focus on scholars’ amazing contributions to their schools, local communities and the world, while continuing to set new goals for themselves.  Three videos highlighting scholars’ work were shown at the banquet and were introduced by Alyssa Villa, Alejandro Duran and Oliver Angulo.

Additional scholar participants were:

Brayden Bermudez – led the Pledge of Allegiance

Alex Selman – delivered the blessing

Karen Zhao – musical performance

Alyssa Villa, Maya Pinera, Aishat Oladele, Amna Seraj, Arthur Studart – asked questions during the Q&A

Nathalia Hurtado – introduced Dr. Carson for his keynote address

Four students set up tables at the banquet’s Scholar Showcase to present their small businesses, nonprofits and/or service projects to attendees. 

Dr. and Mrs. Carson participated in a Q&A session in which scholars were invited to submit questions to learn more about the Carsons.  Dr. and Mrs. Carson shared what leadership means to them (leading by example and checking all details (Mrs. Carson) and actions are greater than words (Dr. Carson), at what point in Dr. Carson’s career did he feel like he’d made it (when he got into medical school) and what moment in her life that wasn’t fully celebrated but was deeply meaningful to Mrs. Carson (when she and Dr. Carson’s book, America the Beautiful, became a New York Times #1 bestseller).

View photos from the event HERE!