By: Bailey Guy and Mary Grace Newman
MTN Reporters
Scholarships represent more than financial support: they symbolize opportunity, recognition, and investment in future leaders.
Among such scholarships, the Cartmell Scholarship stands out as a unique one. The Cartmell Scholarship began in 1876 with the estate of the late William M. Cartmell. Endowed to Vanderbilt University and awarded in collaboration with the city of Lebanon, the Cartmell Scholarship is distinctive in that its recipient is determined through a vote by the community.
Unlike most academic scholarships determined by committees or academic panels, the Cartmell Scholarship puts the power in the hands of Lebanon residents. The voting aspect of the Cartmell scholarship does more than award funds; it strengthens civic engagement in lebanon. This democratic approach to a scholarship serves as a model of how local governments and institutions can collaborate to create programs that empower both individuals and the broader community.
This scholarship also teaches young people about the importance of community involvement as candidates for the scholarship are encouraged to campaign for it. Only one student applied for the scholarship this year, Katie Claire Cambell.
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