Six New Haven Students to Receive Carson Academic Award

Published: June 15, 2009

New Haven, Conn. — The Carson Scholars Fund and Yale University will honor six New Haven students at its annual awards ceremony at 5 p.m. on June 16 at the Dixwell-Yale Community Learning Center, 101 Ashmun St.

Each year, the Carson Scholars Fund gives $1,000 scholarship awards to students in grades 4 – 11 who have earned the highest level of academic achievement and displayed strong humanitarian qualities. This year, 530 talented students from across the country have been named Carson Scholars, including the six from New Haven.

New Haven’s Carson Scholars are Zanira Abukar, Michael Berrios, Jordan Diggs, Alexis Rivera, Joshua Thomas and Jose Tineo. (See profiles below.)

In addition to the scholarship, the students will receive a medal, certificate of accomplishment and a trophy for their school. Among those attending this year’s awards ceremony will be Yale University Vice President for New Haven and State Affairs and Campus Development Bruce Alexander and his wife, Christine; Superintendant of New Haven Public Schools Reginald Mayo; New Haven Mayor John DeStefano; and principals and administrators of the schools attended by the Carson Scholars.

The 2009 scholarships are funded by Yale’s Office of New Haven and State Affairs and by Bruce and Christine Alexander. It is their hope that the community will embrace the scholarship program so more of New Haven’s exemplary and inspiring students can be honored for years to come.

“The Carson Scholars Fund provides a wonderful opportunity for community members to encourage local New Haven students to attend college,” said Bruce Alexander.

For more information on the Carson Scholars Fund visit www.carsonscholars.org.

The Carson Scholars Fund is a non-profit 501(c)(3) public charity founded in 1994 by pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Benjamin Carson and his wife, Candy. It is dedicated to cultivating future leaders who are academically talented and socially conscious. To date, the Carson Scholars Fund has awarded over 3,900 college scholarships in 34 states and the District of Columbia.

About the winners
Zanira Abubakar, 8th grader at Wexler Grant Community School
Zanira is involved in her community by serving food and raising money for a homeless shelter. In her spare time, she enjoys playing the clarinet. Zanira plans to become a nurse.

Michael Berrios, 7th grader at John S. Martinez School
Michael is a member of the Squash New Haven Yale University Club. The group has provided support for the New Haven Book Bank, New Haven Diaper Bank, and the New Haven Food Bank Against Hunger. Michael aspires to become a social studies teacher.

Jordan Diggs, 10th grader at Metropolitan Business Academy
Jordan has supported the community by volunteering at a soup kitchen. He has served food to the homeless, provided information on how the homeless can receive free healthcare, and distributed sleeping bags and packaged food for those less fortunate. Jordan aims to become an architect.

Alexis Rivera, 5th grader at Columbus Family Academy
Alexis is very involved in the community. She is a member of Share Committee and has collected pennies for the United Way to be used in “Act of Kindness Day” in memory of 9/11. When Alexis grows up, she hopes to become a pediatrician.

Joshua Thomas, 11th grader at Hill Regional Career High School
Joshua has an extensive list of community involvement. He has served as the vice president for the Future Business Leaders of America and as JV captain for his high school soccer team. Joshua has a 4.0 grade point average and aspires to become a Supreme Court justice.

Jose Tineo, 9th grader at Cooperative Arts and Humanities Magnet High School
Jose has committed his time to informing the community of the danger of drugs. Last year he coordinated a car wash with proceeds benefitting a drug rehabilitation center. Jose wants to become an engineer.

PRESS CONTACT: Gila Reinstein 203-432-1325