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Nanette Sparks of Waldorf is the inaugural recipient of an annual scholarship established by the Charles County Chamber of Commerce for business majors at the College of Southern Maryland. Sparks is a military spouse and mother of seven whom, in addition to pursuing her degree at CSM, is active with her church and her four sons scouting activities, serving as a registered merit badge counselor for the boy scouts. The Charles County Chamber of Commerce can positively impact the community by creating a business- friendly environment in Charles County. This requires an educated workforce, business-friendly laws, and most importantly, businesses that strive to provide the best product and service possible, Sparks wrote as part of the scholarship application process. It can strengthen its membership by supporting them and inspiring them to live by the principle that an efficient business providing a needed service is the cornerstone of the American way of life. A private, not-for-profit organization with more than 700 member businesses, the chamber is the largest private business organization in Southern Maryland. Presenting the chambers scholarship during its 2012 Choose Charles Golf Tournament May 23 are, from left, CSM Foundation Chair Jay Lilly 75, Sparks, Charles County Chamber Member-at-large and Golf Committee Chair Matt Martin and CSM Foundation Director Michelle Aughinbaugh. For information on other scholarships available through the CSM Foundation, visit http://www.csmd.edu/Foundation. For information on the chamber, visit http://www.charlescountychamber.org.