We ask all applicants to provide the pronunciation of their first and last names. These pronunciations assist us if we need to make any phone calls to scholars’ homes and schools. More importantly, they allow us to properly announce the winners’ names at our awards banquets. We make every attempt to recognize each Carson Scholar at an awards ceremony, so please write a pronunciation for your scholar’s name, even if you think it is obvious.
We recommend doing one of two things:
1. Write the name phonetically using common phonetic symbols:
| Vowel Symbol | Sounds Like | Name | Pronunciation |
| ă | Apple, Cat | Brad | Brăd |
| ā | Acorn, Cake | Kate | Kāte |
| ăr | Carry | Mary | Măry |
| ĕ | Egg, Bell, Bet | Meg | Mĕg |
| ē | Bee, Ease, Tree | Ethan | Ēthăn |
| ĕr | Merry | Kerry | Kĕrrē |
| ĭ | Bit, Fish, City | Jim | Jĭm |
| ī | Ice, Pie, Bite | Isis | Īsĭs |
| ŏ | Clock, Not | Bob | Bŏb |
| ō | Rose, Go | Brody | Brōdē |
| ōr | Hoarse, Glory | Rory | Rōrē |
| ûr | Fur, Bird | Vernon | Vûrnŭn |
| ŭ | Sun, Umbrella | Chuck | Chŭck |
| ū | Glue, Flu, Boot | Lucy | Lūcē |
| oi | Boy, Noise | Roy | Roi |
2. Write the name using other, basic words:
| Name | Pronunciation |
| Erin | “Air” – “in” |
| Rocco | “Rock” – “oh” |
| Jaxon | “Jack” – “son” |
| Shelby | “Shell” – “bee” |
Pronunciations have no effect on winner decisions – they just help us as we plan the awards banquets. We appreciate your assistance!