50 Remarkable and Resilient High School Students from Nebraska and Western Iowa Awarded 2014 Horatio Alger State Scholarship
Horatio Alger Association recognizes young men and women who have demonstrated exceptional perseverance and a commitment to education with individual scholarships of $6,000, in partnership with the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben Foundation
WASHINGTON, March 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc., a nonprofit educational organization honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals and encouraging youth to pursue their dreams through higher education, today announced 50 students from Nebraska and Western Iowa will receive its prestigious 2014 Horatio Alger State Scholarship, funded through the generosity of the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben Foundation. These young men and women are recognized for their admirable commitment to continuing their education and serving their communities, despite facing and overcoming adversity.
Horatio Alger Association was founded in 1947. Since 1984, it has administered one of the nation's largest privately-funded, need-based scholarship programs, having awarded more than $100 million in undergraduate, graduate and specialized scholarships to students from across the United States, including all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Canada. In 2000, 16 years after the establishment of its national scholarship program, Horatio Alger Members also began funding scholarships concentrated in each state to further its mission to offer deserving young people across the nation support to pursue their collegiate goals.
Founded in 1895, the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben Foundation is the premier philanthropic organization for the region's top corporate and civic leaders. Focused on youth, scholarships, agriculture, volunteerism, pro-business and economic growth, Ak-Sar-Ben provides $300,000 annually to Horatio Alger State Scholars living out their mission of leveraging collective business leadership to build a more prosperous Heartland.
"The new Scholars of Horatio Alger Association are strong, motivated young men and women who have not let their personal struggles hinder their success," said David Sokol, chairman of Horatio Alger Association. "Having faced many hardships in my own life, I can attest to the fact that these students have the tenacity to accomplish great things moving forward. As an Omaha native and a long-time supporter of the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben Foundation, I am confident that the Scholars of Nebraska and Western Iowa will achieve continued success with their demonstrated passion and poise."
Collectively, the 2014 Horatio Alger State Scholarship recipients have maintained an average GPA of 3.6 and a mean SAT score of 1,593, while coming from a household with an average annual income of $21,482. Through the scholarship program, each recipient is awarded an average of $6,000 to apply toward the tuition of their selected college or university. Additionally, State Scholars will have access to a variety of resources including college preparatory support, access to guidance and crisis counselors as well as mentoring programs.
For a complete list of the 2014 Horatio Alger Ak-Sar-Ben Scholars, please click here.
"It gives me great pleasure to help lead an organization that provides such significant and meaningful support to young men and women who may otherwise not have a chance to follow their dreams," said Tony Novelly, president and CEO of Horatio Alger Association. "These Scholars have an incomparable desire to make the most of their lives, despite having faced tremendous obstacles. As a dedicated Member of Horatio Alger Association, I wholeheartedly believe that these students deserve all that we can provide – and more."
For more information about Horatio Alger Association and its 2014 Scholars, please visit www.horatioalger.org.
About Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans:
Founded in 1947, Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. fulfills its mission of honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals who have succeeded in spite of adversity and of encouraging young people to pursue their dreams through higher education. Horatio Alger Association supports students through annual undergraduate and graduate need-based scholarships and mentoring programs across the United States and Canada. Since 1984, the Association has awarded more than $100 million in college scholarships to deserving young people. For more information, please visit www.horatioalger.org.
CONTACT:
Nikki Elkins
484-385-2958 (office)
[email protected]
SOURCE Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc.
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