Crownsville(ac.c) Elisabeth Dixon has a pleasant look about her. A ready smile, perky eyes; she looks like the All-American fourth grader. She’s quite remarkable – according to no less than the Carson Scholars Fund. The Fund, established by Baltimore surgeon, Dr. Benjamin Carson, recognizes young people for their scholarship and philanthropy.
Elisabeth was awarded a Ben Carson Scholar award earlier this month. The fourth grader was nominated by her school, Rolling Knolls, for this nationwide award. For her part, Elisabeth had to write about a problem in her community and explain how she would solve it. She chose the issue of literacy discussing the importance of reading and writing. Her solution included the peer tutoring she does at school, starting book clubs for the enjoyment of reading, and making sure kids have access to book at home through book drives. That essay along with a teacher recommendation, principal sport, her report card and a list of her community activities made her a shoo-in!
The scholarship portion of the award is easy to understand. Elisabeth’s report card spoke for itself. She’s a straight A student. Not one B on her report card – ever. Her mom, Kim, does recall a B on a test once. Her teacher characterizes Elisabeth as the finest intellect she’s ever taught. It’s not just schoolwork. Elisabeth is motivated and creates learning situations for herself.
Her philanthropy through community service is exemplified by the solutions she proposed in her essay. Her family is community service oriented. Kim, a pre-kindergarten teacher, Randy with NSA, and sisters Grace and Natalie host a child through the Fresh Air Fund. This New York City organization sends children living in urban poverty to live for the summer in suburban and rural settings.
Elisabeth works with Happy Helpers for the Homeless making lunches. She and her family participate in a backpack project every fall and support the angel tree. Her family hosts a holiday party for friends. Their friends select a charity and bring whatever the charity has requested. They’ve helped the SPCA, the Happy Helpers, Boys and Girls Club, and Sarah’s House.
Elisabeth has been a peer tutor assisting the English in Rolling Knolls’ bilingual pre-kindergarten. She’s on the Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support Committee at school. They come up with incentives for good behaviors – rocket dollars. Rocket dollars can be used to purchase goodies from the rocket cart, attend pep rallies and sock hops, go to carnivals, and more. The best part is that since instituting this positive program, suspensions have dropped.
For Elisabeth, being a scholar put her among an elite group of 500 across the country and, among them, only 200 in grades four through twelve in the greater Baltimore area.
She and the other area award winners will be feted at a banquet at Martins West in Baltimore on April 26. Dr. Ben Carson will be there as will Ret. Gen. Colin Powell, journalist Sam Donaldson, and National League MVP running back and Carson Scholar advocate Jerome “The Bus” Bettis. When college comes around, Elisabeth will have $1000 in her college fund. She will receive a medal now. Dr. Carson also believes that scholars and philanthropist should be championed like athletes so Elisabeth and her school will receive a trophy with Elisabeth’s name.
For all her maturity, Elisabeth’s reaction to this honor – she jumped up and down and called everyone at school. From now on, as a previous winner, she will be eligible to apply for the award on her own in future years. We haven’t heard the last of this young lady’s achievements and good works. Congratulations Elisabeth.