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Youth Facing Adversity Receive National Honor and $10,000 College Scholarship

(Washington, DC) February 28, 2006 - Poverty, foster care, parental substance abuse, and physical abuse could not prevent one hundred seven high school seniors from across the country from wanting to live out the American dream and have more for themselves. Each is now the recipient of a 2006 Horatio Alger National Scholarship of ten thousand dollar for their college education. (A complete list of the 2006 Horatio Alger National Scholars immediately follows this release). In addition to the financial award, the scholarship recipients will attend an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., for the 2006 Horatio Alger National Scholars Conference.

Nationally, more than 20,000 high school seniors applied for Horatio Alger scholarships, each describing their personal adversities, and how they have used hard work, perseverance and integrity to overcome them. The students selected as 2006 Horatio Alger National Scholars represent a remarkable group of young people whose challenges are dwarfed only by their determination to succeed in spite of adversity. These outstanding young Americans are using their sheer determination and desire for education to surmount obstacles.

"In the face of daunting hardships and true adversity these young people continue to strive to improve their lives. The Horatio Alger Association is excited to recognize the hard work that has enabled these young people to triumph over incredible challenges in their lives. We look forward to playing an important role in the future of each of these young men and women," remarked Dennis R. Washington, President and CEO of the Horatio Alger Association. Mr. Washington also emphasized, "The Association's commitment to our National Scholars goes beyond the financial award to include the means to help them succeed throughout college and in life."

n addition to a scholarship, each of the students will receive financial and educational counseling during the National Scholars Conference in Washington, D.C. The students will also meet many of the Members of the Horatio Alger Association - Americans who have overcome obstacles and humble beginnings to achieve success. The Members of the Association mentor and encourage each student to achieve his/her highest potential and goals.

While in Washington, D.C., for the National Scholars Conference, the students will participate in a series of events focused on civic education, goal setting and the free enterprise. This unique opportunity affords some of the nation's most impressive and determined young people a chance to learn about the philosophies and experiences that helped the Association's Members triumph over adversity and create success in their lives. The students will also attend the 59th Annual Horatio Alger Awards Ceremony, during which ten outstanding individuals will receive the Horatio Alger Award for overcoming adversity to achieve success, and become lifelong Members of the Association.

The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. is a nonprofit educational association. The Horatio Alger Association is the nation's largest private provider of need-based college scholarships. Through the generosity of its Members, the Association awards more than $8.5 million annually in college scholarships to deserving young Americans. For more information about the Association and its programs visit www.horatioalger.org.

2006 National Scholarship Winners

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