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

Nine Idaho Students Awarded
Duane and Lola Hagadone Provide $5,000 Scholarships to Teens for Overcoming Adversity

Washington, D.C. (June 17, 2008) – The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans is pleased to announce that it has awarded nine scholarships to deserving high school students in Idaho. Each Scholar will receive $5,000 to fund their college education. The state honorees were selected for the Horatio Alger State 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 Idaho 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 Idaho scholarships are made possible by Duane B. Hagadone, a Horatio Alger Member and his wife Lola, who have supported students in Idaho with scholarships through the Horatio Alger Association since 2005.

“With the help of Duane and Lola Hagadone, 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 Idaho scholarship recipients are:

• Ashley Alsterlund of Viola, Potlatch High School
• Jaclyn V. Burdette of Deary, Deary School
• Joshua R. Eastin of Spirit Lake, Timberlake High School
• Brian Hare of Old Town, Priest River Lamanna High School
• Kevin C. Kruger of Troy, Troy Junior-Senior High School
• John R. Nelson of Troy, Troy Junior-Senior High School
• Miriam B. Thompson of Sagle, Sandpoint High School
• Katrina A. Wastl of Bonners Ferry, Bonners Ferry High School
• Mellisa A. Wright of Saint Maries, Saint Maries 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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