Whiz Kids: Magothy River Carson Scholars

Whiz Kids:  Connor Jaenke and Blair Bristow

Age:  13

Accomplishment:  Magothy River Middle 2011 Carson Scholars

Blair and Connor were recently named as the 2011 Carson Scholars from Magothy River Middle School, quite an accomplishment considering there were 50 very worthy candidates and 10 finalists.

The Carson Scholars program was founded by Dr. Ben Carson, Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins, and his wife Candy in 1984. The program offers $1,000 college scholarships to students based on high academics and humanitarianism. 

Magothy River Middle became involved in the Carson Scholars Fund in 1994 by fundraising for an “endowment.” In 2002, the school became the only school in the United States to “endow” their own scholar each year. 

Students in grades 6, 7, and 8 with a GPA of 3.75 after the first marking period are eligible to apply for the honor. Candidates are selected by a Carson Scholarship Committee, which includes teachers, administrators, and guidance counselors.  Students write personal essays outlining their volunteer work that specifically benefits individuals, groups, non-profit organizations and their community. They are then interviewed. 

Blair Bristow:  Blair is an 8th grader who works on various mission and service projects through his church St. Andrew by the Bay. He is also in the National Junior Honor Society. He has played lacrosse and basketball, but his true sport is water polo, which he plays all year at the Naval Academy. His academic goal is to attend the Naval Academy. His brother Ry won the Carson Scholar award least year. Blair is the son of Karen and Ryland Bristow III.

Connor Jaenke:  Connor is a 7th grader who is also very busy with mission work with his church at Broadneck Evangelical Presbyterian. He is also in the school band, in the National Junior Honor Society, and the after-school sports program. He hopes to pursue a career in engineering at the Naval Academy or another engineering school like Virginia Tech. He is the son of Paul and Susan Jaenke.

Both boys will be recognized at the Carson Scholars Fund annual banquet on April 10.