Shady Side Academy junior Jeanne Lauer is one of 483 students nationwide and one of 71 students in Western Pennsylvania who were named 2017 Carson Scholars, earning a $1,000 college scholarship and recognition package. Lauer and other Carson Scholars from the region were honored at an awards banquet on Saturday, April 8, at Heinz Field.

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" and are awarded an Olympic-sized medal and a trophy for their school to celebrate their accomplishments. Applicants are nominated by their schools based on academic achievements and commitment to their communities, and only one student can be nominated per school. Carson Scholars must have a minimum GPA of 3.75 and display humanitarian qualities through community service.

Lauer has excelled in academics, arts and athletics at SSA. She is an excellent student who serves as a "Scribe" (peer writing tutor), and a talented photographer whose works earned four honorable mentions in the 2017 Regional Scholastic Art Awards. A two-sport athlete, she qualified for the state championships in both cross country and swimming this year. In the fall, she placed second at the WPIAL Cross Country Championships and eighth at the PIAA Championships, and in the winter she helped the SSA girls swimming team to a WPIAL title and a fourth-place PIAA finish and won four WPIAL medals (including two golds) and a PIAA silver medal. Lauer is also very involved in serving the community. Since her freshman year, she has spearheaded an annual Halloween candy drive at SSA, which benefited the Ronald McDonald House and Squirrel Hill Community Food Bank. She also has volunteered with Blind and Vision Rehabilitation Services and at her church as an usher and altar server.

The Carson Scholars Fund is a nonprofit organization founded in 1994 by pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson and his wife, Candy. Since 1996, more than 7,300 scholarships have been awarded.

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