FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 18, 2020
CONTACT: Kimberly Aguilar, (805) 341-4689
Compass Charter Schools (CCS) Celebrates Michael Effie, Jr., 2020 Carson Scholar Fund Award Winner
Thousand Oaks, CA – Compass Charter Schools (CCS) of San Diego celebrates Michael Effie, Jr., a 2020 Carson Scholar Fund Award winner! He will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship award towards his college education. Carson Scholars must have a minimum GPA of 3.75 and display humanitarian qualities through community service.
“I am elated for Michael and proud to share that he received a beautiful letter stating that he was selected for the Carson Scholars Fund! This is his first scholarship, and he is very honored,” shared Joy Elizabeth Sterling Effie, his proud mother. “He was one of 450 awarded from around the country of the 1,375 nominees that submitted.”
Michael’s interests include history, teaching, psychology, filmmaking, and dramatic arts. He aspires to be a mentor to others and help them to achieve their hopes and dreams through his achievements. He enjoys riding his bike, hiking, doing crossword puzzles, spending time with family, and acting, which he does professionally.
“CCS is so proud of Michael! As a Compass family, we are committed to offering each scholar the support they need to achieve success,” said J.J. Lewis, CCS Superintendent and CEO. “It is an honor to see such a poised and bright young man chasing after his dreams and being awarded for all his hard work and dedication.”
He is a member of the Scholar Leadership Council and National Honor Society. In the Scholar Leadership Council, he provides his thoughts and votes on behalf of other scholars on pressing matters that affect the future of CCS’s success. In the National Honor Society, he shares various volunteer opportunities needed within his community to encourage the importance of public service. He has also co-led children’s storytimes and other programs at his local library, where he volunteers.
“Considering those who have made a mark in the past and are celebrated today, many are thinkers, questioners, ponderers; they are people who are remembered for their profound discoveries and breakthroughs. They are people not driven by acclaim but rather are driven simply by their thirst for knowledge,” explained Michael. “They have a natural curiosity for the world around them, and they choose to search for answers to the questions they may seek. They strive for personal success, yet also seek to leave the world a better place than that which they found it.”
About the Carson Scholars Fund
The Carson Scholars Fund was founded in 1994 to address the education crisis in the United States. When now-retired world-renowned Johns Hopkins Pediatric Neurosurgeon Benjamin S. Carson, M.D. and his wife, Candy, read a research study about education in the United States, they were alarmed by the findings. The study showed that our nation’s students ranked #21 out of 22 countries. Furthermore, the Carsons observed that many school display cases were filled with large trophies paying tribute to their sports teams’ achievements, while honor students only received a pin or certificate.
In 1996, the first year that scholarships were awarded, 25 deserving students were recognized as scholars. Through the generosity of our donors and partners, they now award more than 500 scholarships annually. Scholars are awarded an Olympic-sized medal and a trophy for their school to celebrate their accomplishments.
About Compass Charter Schools
Compass Charter Schools (CCS) is a WASC-accredited virtual personalized learning public charter school serving thousands of scholars throughout the state. Catering to TK-12 grade scholars, CCS offers two personalized learning programs. CCS is committed to creating a collaborative virtual learning community, inspiring scholars to appreciate the ways in which arts and sciences nurture a curiosity for lifelong learning and preparing scholars to take responsibility for their future successes.
For more information about CCS, visit www.compasscharters.org, via Twitter (https://twitter.com/CompassCs), on Facebook(https://www.facebook.com/CompassCS/) or on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/compasscs/).
###