Siblings Excel in Carson Scholarship Program
N
orwin High School students Carmen and Sophia Melocchi have a unique distinction: These siblings
are multi-year winners of the Carson Scholarship, named for retired neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson and
his wife, Candy.
Carmen Melocchi, a senior, has won the Carson Scholarship six times since 2011, and he is intent on
earning it for a seventh time in 2017. Sophia Melocchi, a junior, has won the award three times since 2014
and is on course to earning it again as well.
The Carson Scholars Fund awards $1,000 college scholarships to students in grades 4-11 who excel
academically and are dedicated to serving their communities. Scholarship winners receive the honor
of being named “Carson Scholars;” they attend an awards banquet with Dr. Ben Carson and his wife,
Candy; and they are awarded an Olympic-sized medal and a trophy for their school to celebrate their
accomplishments. Previous winners of Carson Scholarships are eligible to reapply for Carson Scholar
Recognition annually.
In addition to maintaining a GPA of 3.75 or above, the students perform a community service project.
Carmen and Sophia raised funds to support the construction of the Norwin Veterans Memorial, and they
both participate in Catholic Heartwork Camps, spending one week per summer working in impoverished
neighborhoods in American cities. Carmen is the Corps Commander of the Norwin JROTC, and Sophia has
been on the Norwin volleyball team for three years. For
the past eight years, Sophia has studied classical piano
and has won several local piano sonatina competitions.
Both work part-time jobs at Giant Eagle.
According to the Carson Scholars Fund, Inc., Carmen
and Sophia join an exclusive list of Norwin High School
students who are Carson Scholars, including:
or win
N orwin S chool District Ne ws
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Ryan Boccabella (2011)
Karla Yoney (2010)
Hannah Guyon (2008 and 2009)
Jenna Grachen (2007)
Carmen and Sophia are among many Norwin High
School students who take advantage of local and
national scholarships each year. More information
about scholarships is available on the Norwin High
School Guidance Department Web site at www.
norwinsd.org/domain/1473. (Information about many
scholarships becomes available in February, so please
check back.)
Since 1996, the Carson Scholars program has
awarded more than 7,300 scholarships across the
country, totaling more than $4.7 million in scholarship
funds to help students finance their education. More
information is available at www.carsonscholars.org.
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