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Twenty-Five Pennsylvania Students Awarded Prestigious Horatio Alger Franklin Scholarship
Pew Charitable Trust Provides $10,000 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 Pennsylvania. Each Franklin Scholar will receive $10,000 to fund their college education. The state honorees were selected for the Horatio Alger Franklin Scholarship Program because they made academics a priority 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 Pennsylvania 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 Franklin scholarships are made possible by Pew Charitable Trust.

“With the help of Pew Charitable Trust, 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 Franklin Scholars were presented with their awards by “Benjamin Franklin” at a two-day conference and ceremony, April 27-28, 2008 at Valley Forge, while speakers provided advice to the scholarship recipients on college preparedness and motivation.

The 2008 Franklin recipients are:

• John R. Anczarski of Ashland, North Schuykill Jr-Sr High School
• Julie M. Arowcavage of Plymouth , Wyoming Valley West High School
• Courtney R. Brenner of Landisville, Hempfield High School
• Cory A. Chamberlin of Canonsburg, Canon-McMillan High School
• Dominique Etienne of Philadelphia, Girard College
• Anthony J. Fisher of Mckeesport, Mckeesport Area Sr High School
• Garrett  J. Free of Uniontown, Uniontown Area Sr High School
• Gina M. Govojdean of New Castle, New Castle Senior High School
• Douglas A. Hofmockel of Royersford, Spring-ford Senior High School
• Tatianna S. Johnson of Philadelphia, G W Carver High School
• Shelby K. Jones of Pottsville, Pottsville Area High School
• Stephen J. Jordan of Lansdale, North Penn High School
• Wing Lock Li of Philadelphia, Central High School
• Chelsea M. Mihm of Pittsburgh, North Hills High School
• Philipp A. Nuzhdin of Warminster, William Tennent High School
• Jessica M. Quail of Newville, Big Spring High School
• Kyle E. Rapone of New Castle, New Castle Senior High School
• Jessica J. Ritz of Reading, Exeter Township Sr High School
• Courtney A. Robel of New Kensington, Home School Clearing House
• Ryan J. Sellers of Sharon Hill, Academy Park High School
• Jamilah  J. Thompson of Drexel Hill, Archbishop Prendergast High School
• Katie L. Treese of Flinton, Glendale Jr-Sr High School
• Evan M. Wabrick of Mechanicsburg, Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School
• Hannah R. Wentworth of Quarryville, Solanco High School
• Kaitlin M. Zapel of Bradford, Bradford Area High 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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