Two Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) students were recently named 2025 Carson Scholars. The Carson Scholars program recognizes students for high achievement, humanitarian qualities and community service.

Honored this year as new Carson Scholars are Skylar Adkisson, a fourth-grade student at C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School, and Skylar Bearor, a fifth-grade student at Malcolm Elementary School.

As Carson Scholars, the students receive a $1,000 college scholarship. Carson Scholars are eligible for annual renewal of the scholarship if they maintain high academic standards and a commitment to their communities.

Students are nominated by their respective school as a Carson Scholar. The selection process is competitive and about 500 new scholars are chosen annually.

Twelve CCPS students received a renewal as 2025 Recognized Carson Scholars. Recognized scholars are students who have received the honor in prior years. They are:

• Charlotte Fenton, fifth grade, T.C. Martin Elementary School, (second recognition).
• Madalynn Deavers, eighth grade, Piccowaxen Middle School, (third recognition).
• Troy Petterson, seventh grade, Piccowaxen, (third recognition).
• James Harper, sixth grade, Milton M. Somers Middle School, (second recognition).
• Sydney Pennycooke, seventh grade, Somers, (third recognition).
• Lauren Compton, senior, La Plata High School, (second recognition).
• Kiley Grollman, sophomore, La Plata, (sixth recognition).
• Aurora Larkin, freshman, La Plata, (fifth recognition).
• Grant Cooper, freshman, Henry E. Lackey High School, (third recognition).
• Nya Whitney, junior, Maurice J. McDonough High School, (seventh recognition).
• Aaliyah Underwood, junior, North Point High School, (fourth recognition).
• Jayden Hill, freshman, St. Charles High School, (sixth recognition).

Each year, the Carson Scholars Fund awards $1,000 college scholarships to a select group of high achieving students in Grades 4 through 11. These students demonstrate an outstanding academic achievement and must have a minimum GPA of 3.75.

The Carson Scholars Fund was founded in 1994 by pediatric neurosurgeon Benjamin S. Carson Sr. to motivate and reward academic excellence in young. The fund has awarded more than 11,000 scholarships in all states and Washington, D.C. More information can be found on the Carson Scholars website at www.carsonscholars.org.

About CCPS

Charles County Public Schools provides 28,162 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 38 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.

The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Mike Blanchard, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.  CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).