East Hamilton Middle School rising eighth-grader Hannah Ledford, of Apison, has a head start on her college fund since being named one of Chattanooga’s first Carson Scholars, a title that comes with a $1,000 scholarship.
“I think a lot of times parents and students think that what they do in elementary and middle school doesn’t really matter,” said Hannah’s mother, Zina Ledford. “Hannah would have missed out on something that was really a blessing to us.”
What’s more, Carson Scholars may reapply each year until 11th grade to win the scholarship again. Hannah has the potential to take $5,000 with her to college.
“It was such a neat idea,” Zina Ledford said. “And to think that Dr. Carson will hold that for her until she goes to a four-year institution … . We’re just really proud of her and know that it was an honor.”
The Carson Scholars Fund, founded in 1994, announced 12 Chattanooga-area scholars this year, the first year Chattanooga schools have participated in the program. East Hamilton High School student Nicollette Legac was also among the Hamilton County students awarded the Carson Scholar honor.
Area volunteer coordinator Michelle Hunter worked to find the seven local sponsors who funded each scholarship.
“It involves the kids at an early age thinking about college,” Hunter said of the fund. “It’s designed to be a spark for that child to start thinking from the get-go, ‘College is a reality for me. I am college material.’ (Parents) can’t believe how much it just caused their kids to get engaged.”
Hunter said that founder Dr. Ben Carson’s goal is to establish the scholarship in every school in the country. It’s already 400 strong.
“We especially would like to see participation next year from all the Hamilton County schools,” Hunter said.
Zina Ledford said her daughter’s middle school guidance counselor, Mallory Annis, tracked students down to apply for the scholarship, which is based on grade point average, teacher references and community service, not need.
Hannah wrote an essay about her volunteer work with 4- and 5-year-olds Sunday nights at Spring Creek Road Baptist Church in East Ridge, where her father, John Ledford, is an associate pastor. When the time is right, Hannah may pursue a career teaching kindergarten.
“It was just very neat for them to honor students with good academics and also good character,” Zina Ledford said.
Hunter said that Dr. Carson hopes to spread a message of urgency with his fund – that American math, science, technology and engineering students are in dire straights when compared globally to China or India. She said U.S. standards have “dropped and dropped and dropped” throughout the country’s history, even by sixth grade.
“He is very soft-spoken,” Hunter said. “You wouldn’t expect him to be so forceful in his message. What I liked about him was his candor and his ability to say it like it is; that America is in trouble and we’ve got to pick up our academic standards. He’s very clear about that.”
Hunter said that Dr. Carson will attend a local recognition ceremony in person if an area has 22 scholars. She said Hamilton County will achieve that goal if half of its more than 40 schools apply.
“There’s a pile of money sitting in Baltimore waiting,” she said.