Roscoe Middle School student named 2025 Carson Scholar

Ken Yang, an eighth grader at Roscoe Middle School, has been named a 2025 Carson Scholar. The recognition includes a $1,000 college scholarship, an Olympic-sized medal, and a trophy that will be presented to the school. He is the first student in the school’s history, and in the region, to receive the national honor.

Roscoe Middle School Principal Matt Kaufman shared how meaningful the award is to the school community. “Ken’s selection as a 2025 Carson Scholar is a tremendous honor,” Kaufman said. “He exemplifies the qualities of a Roscoe Brave through his academic excellence, dedication to serving others, and leadership among his peers. Ken makes the entire RMS staff proud every day.”

Each year, the Carson Scholars Fund recognizes high-achieving students in grades 4 through 11 who maintain a GPA of 3.75 or higher and demonstrate humanitarian qualities through service. Schools are allowed to nominate just one student annually. In 2025, the organization selected just 12 students nationwide as new Carson Scholars. Ken Yang was among them, becoming the first student in Roscoe Middle School and the region’s history to earn the award.

Ken lives in Rockton with his parents and older brother and splits his studies between two schools. While enrolled at Roscoe Middle School, he also takes Honors Algebra 2 and Trigonometry at Hononegah Community High School, where he maintains an A average. He has been named to the high honor roll since sixth grade and holds a GPA above 4.0. Ken joined the National Junior Honor Society as a sixth grader and was elected an officer the following year.

Alongside his academic success, the 14-year-old student has a deep interest in science and music. In 2024, he placed third at the Illinois Science Olympiad State Championships in the Wind Power event. As a cellist, he has held the principal chair in the ILMEA Junior Orchestra for three consecutive years. He studies under Dr. Tanya Carey at the Music Institute of Chicago, where he attends on a music scholarship, and has been a member of the Rockford Symphony Youth Orchestra since fifth grade.

His musical talent has been recognized through several competitions. He was a pre-collegiate finalist in the Chandler Starr Miller Scholarship Competition in Rockford, earning second place in 2024 and honorable mention in 2025. He also earned first place in Advanced Strings at the 2023 Nie Young Artist Scholarship Competition in Beloit, and second place in the Pre-Collegiate Strings category in both 2024 and 2025.

Beyond academics and the arts, Ken has committed himself to giving back. He leads a personal community project called “Music 4 Our Community,” using his cello performances to connect with and support others. In January, he performed at the Nature at the Confluence fundraiser in South Beloit.

As part of the Carson Scholar recognition, Ken has been invited to attend the Carson Scholars Fund awards banquet on Saturday, May 4, at The Chattanoogan Hotel in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He has also been invited to perform on cello during the banquet lunch.

The Carson Scholars Fund was established in 1994 by Dr. Ben Carson and his wife, Candy Carson, to honor students who excel both in the classroom and in their communities. Since its founding, the organization has awarded more than 11,000 scholarships and created over 280 Ben Carson Reading Rooms in schools across the United States.

Ken’s interests span music, science, medicine, and law. Whether performing on stage or preparing for a math exam, he brings the same discipline and drive to everything he pursues.