CATONSVILLE, MD (April 1, 2016) -- Forty-one Scholar Candidates have been accepted into the Charlestown retirement community's  Scholarship Program for 2016, which is an increase of 28 students from last year. 

To be eligible for a scholarship, the students (seen in attached photo) employed in the Dining Services Department must work a minimum of 1,000 hours between their junior and senior years of high school, build positive relationships with residents and maintain a strong work record while employed at Charlestown.

The Charlestown Scholars Program, funded mainly by resident contributions, raised more $150,000 last year in its spring campaign. Since its inception the Charlestown Scholars Program has raised more than $2.3 million, assisting over 1,200 students to advance their collegiate careers.

The Charlestown Scholars Program awards special scholarships as noted below:

• The Dr. L Carroll Yingling, Jr. Scholarship initiated in 2015 was a tribute to the husband of Phyllis Yingling.  Dr. Yingling was a retired United Methodist Church minister and former superintendent of the Baltimore Northwest District.  He served on the Charlestown Board of Directors for 23 years.  A graduate of Johns Hopkins University, Duke University and the Wesley Theological Seminary, Dr. Yingling knew the importance of education.  To continue his legacy, this scholarship awards a student an additional $1,000 to assist with college tuition. 

• The Ruth Harden Inglis Scholarship Award originated with a designated contribution to the campaign for the specific purpose of encouraging applicants to pursue a degree in teaching.  The student awarded this scholarship will receive an additional $750

• The Virginia Niccolai Scholarship was established in honor of a 13-year resident of Charlestown, who enjoyed a 40-year career in education.  As an artist and educator, Virginia assisted many young folks in pursuing their passion for the arts. To honor her memory, her family established a scholarship, which will award an additional $1,000 to a student pursuing a degree in teaching.

Scholarships will be awarded Wednesday, May 18, at a Scholars' Ceremony, beginning at 7 p.m., in the Conference Center.