Contact: Horatio Alger Association
(301) 392-6053

Overcoming Adversity Reaps Special Reward For 79 Montana High School Seniors

May 27, 2006 / Washington, D.C. - Across the state of Montana seventy-nine high school seniors are finding out that they have new help in attaining a college education from the Horatio Alger Montana Scholarship Program. Each of the students will receive a $2,500 college scholarship and be named a 2006 Horatio Alger Montana Scholar.

These young people are being recognized for demonstrating a drive to accomplish their goals in the face of daunting adversity. Each of these seventy-nine high school seniors have utilized initiative, perseverance and hard work to overcome the obstacles that have stood in their way and the Horatio Alger Montana Scholars Program is proud to recognize the hard work of these students.

All of the 2006 Horatio Alger Montana Scholars have demonstrated success in academics, co-curricular activities and community service while taking on some of life's most difficult challenges. Each of these young people possess the aspirations and potential to make important contributions in Montana and throughout the world. The scholarships will be utilized to obtain a college education at The University of Montana, The University of Montana-Western, The University of Missoula-Missoula College of Technology, Helena College of Technology of The University of Montana, or Montana Tech of The University of Montana. These institutions have agreed to match the Foundation's gift dollar for dollar, which will result in up to a $5,000 scholarship for each recipient.

The Montana Scholars Program was established with funding from the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation. In 1995 Dennis Washington was inducted into the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc, an organization composed of Americans who have come from humble beginnings to achieve success. Mr. Washington currently serves as the Association's President and CEO.

"No child should be denied access to a higher education because of financial need. This program will provide the incredible young people here in Montana with the opportunity to achieve their goals by making a college education attainable for them" states Dennis Washington. Since 1984 the Horatio Alger Association's need-based scholarship programs have helped thousands of deserving students across the nation pursue their dreams of a post secondary education through their unique scholarships that recognize the circumstances and hardships of students as well as their achievements. Mrs. Washington adds, "The Horatio Alger Association's experience working with students of limited financial means who want to obtain a college education is unmatched."

The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans is a nonprofit educational association. Through the generosity of its members, more than $8.5 million in need-based college scholarships will be awarded this year to young people nationwide. For more information about the Association's scholarships and programs please visit www.horatioalger.org.

Applications for consideration as a 2007 Horatio Alger Montana Scholar are available June 1 through October 15, 2006 at www.horatioalger.org/scholarships.

2006 Montana Scholarship Winners

# # #