Congratulations and THANK YOU, Charlestown Residents! With your generous donations, the 2023 Scholar Campaign exceeded our goal of $200,000 and raised $204,380 with 53% participation. This program allows us to offer academic financial assistance to our eligible student-employees here at Charlestown.

We hope you were able to join us in person for the 2023 Scholars’ Ceremony where we celebrated our 2023 Scholar Class by awarding 16 new Traditional four-year scholarships and 3 One-Year scholarships. This class of Scholars will join the current 100 Charlestown Scholars, 10 of whom will graduate this year.

Our Traditional Scholars will receive up to $4,000 per year for up to four years, and our One-Year Scholars will receive up to $4,000 for one year (renewable). Funds will be sent to their college or university to offset their academic tuition expenses. In addition, each of our Scholars will receive a one-time $500 Technology Grant to assist students in purchasing laptops, iPads, etc. that will put them on the right foot as they begin their higher education.

Along with the Charlestown Scholarship, the Scholar Candidates had an opportunity to apply for additional merit-based Named/Partnership Scholarships. The following Scholars received these special named scholar awards: Adithya Maya ~ the Andrew Murray Myers Scholarship ($3,000); Kaleigh Cromer ~ the Fenton & Ted Robb Memorial Scholarship ($2,000); Jelani Peterson ~ The Don Brodeur “Joy of Learning” Scholarship ($4,000); Sanaa Lee ~ “The Future is Now” Scholarship ($4,000.00); Jordan Richburg ~ the Treasure Sale Scholarship ($2,000). Imani Johnson and Amaya Jones-Core, the two STEM Scholarships sponsored by AITP-Baltimore ($2,000 each). Jordan Richburg, Ekene Oneyemeziem, and Amaya Jone-Core, our 3 Health Sciences Scholarships sponsored by our Charlestown Retired Nurses ($4,000 each). The CCBC partner scholarship of $500 went to Kaleigh Cromer, Arnyia Hemphill earned the Coppin Partnership Scholarship ($8,000); Lumell Mont earned the Morgan State Scholarship ($4,000); Thomas Rogers was presented with the Committee Recognition Award ($2000).

Special thanks to our Alumni guest speaker, Elizabeth Fadoju, DDS, MA, a US Navy officer and a previous scholar, who worked from 2007-2011 in the Atrium, as a coach, and in catering. She was educated at the University of Maryland and Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. She is currently a Comprehensive Dentistry Resident at the Naval Postgraduate School. Elizabeth directed a terrific talk to the students about finding a “community” for themselves at college and creating lifetime goals.

We thank each of our residents who donated to the 35th Annual Scholar Campaign, without whom we would not be able to offer this opportunity to the student-employees that work so hard for us. This scholarship, for some, makes the difference in their ability to afford to go to college and continue their education. If you did not have an opportunity to donate but would like to, donations for the Scholar Program can be made year-round by contacting the Philanthropy Department or making an online donation through My Erickson.

A special note of appreciation to my fellow 2023 Scholar Committee members: Norma Goldberg, Roland Gray, Mel Milio, Marie Skane, Jackie Graham, Ed DeLong, Mimi O’Donnell, Elva T