Contact: Carrie Blewitt
Qorvis Communications
703-744-7816
cblewitt@qorvis.com

Twenty-Five District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Students Awarded
Prestigious Horatio Alger State Scholarship
Anthony Welters Provides $2,500
Scholarships to Teens for Overcoming Adversity

Washington, D.C. (May 29, 2008) – The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans is pleased to announce that it has awarded 25 scholarships to deserving high school students in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. Each Scholar will receive $2,500 to fund their college education. The state honorees were selected for the Horatio Alger State Scholarship Program because they have put academics first while facing and overcoming great obstacles in their young lives.

Horatio Alger Association Immediate Past Chairman Dennis R. Washington said, "We are proud to present this award to the students of the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia who have demonstrated integrity and determination despite significant challenges. We envision great futures for these teens.”

The State Scholarship Programs, ranging from $2,500 to $10,500, are sponsored by Horatio Alger Members and friends of the Association. In 2008, the program awarded more than 900 scholarships to students throughout the country.

The District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia scholarships are made possible by Horatio Alger Member Anthony Welters.

"With the help ofAnthony Welters, more young people will have a real chance at success beginning with a higher education,” Washington added.

Horatio Alger Scholars are provided with numerous resources to ensure a successful college career. Each student receives:

• Financial aid guidance to assist in selection of and preparation for college.
• Access to the Association’s Web site where students can create online profiles, search for fellow scholars, update their personal information, submit disbursement requests, and direct questions to the Association.
• Access to a toll-free information line to speak to program coordinators for assistance with questions about their scholarships and other educational programs.

The 2008 District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia recipients are:

• Nelson C. Almeida of Wheaton, Wheaton High School
• Chanell R. Carr of Frederick, Governor Thomas Johnson High School
• Zul Erdenebold of Arlington, Washington Lee High School
• Wentana T. Gebru of Washington, Benjamin-Banneker High School
• Yodit B. Getachew of Springfield, West Springfield High School
• Gayan Hettipola of Washington, Wilson High School
• Mokyang P. Kim of Millersville, Old Mill Senior High School
• Diana Lemus of Arlington, Wakefield High School
• Sean E. Lewis of Springdale, Charles Herbert Flowers High School
• Giselle Martinez of Alexandria, Hayfield Secondary School
• Shantelle Moses of Washington, Cesar Chavez Pub Charter High School
• PhuongTam  N. Nguyen of Fairfax, Fairfax High School
• Tin H. Nguyen of Arlington, Washington Lee High School
• Adedotun A. Ogunbajo of Gambrills, Arundel Senior High School
• Joo H. Oh of Clifton, Centreville High School
• Vytaute Pivoriunaite of Falls Church, Jeb Stuart High School
• Hibah K. Qudsi of Lorton, South County Secondary
• Neelma  Z. Qureshi of Falls Church, Jeb Stuart High School
• Cyd Fortune  C. Rinonos of Falls Church, Jeb Stuart High School
• Johnetta N. Saygbe of Falls Church, Jeb Stuart High School
• Siomara  C. Segovia of Wheaton, Our Lady of Good Counsel High School
• Annah Seo of Columbia, Long Reach High School
• Rebka Tekeste of Silver Spring, Montgomery Blair High School
• Yong  Y. Wu of Falls Church, Jeb Stuart High School
• Ming Zhang of Washington, Saint Albans School

Scholars are encouraged to remain connected with the Association throughout their lifetime.

About the Horatio Alger Association:

Founded in 1947, the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans continues to fulfill its mission of honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals in our society who have succeeded in spite of adversity and of encouraging young people to pursue their dreams through higher education. The Horatio Alger Association offers three annual scholarship programs: the National Scholarship Program and state scholarship programs available to high school seniors in all 50 states, and the Horatio Alger Military Veterans Scholarship Program for U.S. veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts. The Association awards more than $12 million annually in college scholarships and has given over $62 million to deserving students since 1984. For more information about the scholarships, please visit www.horatioalger.org.

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