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Forty-Two Minnesota Students Awarded Prestigious Horatio Alger State Scholarship
Carl & Eloise Pohlad Family Foundation Provides $4,000 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 42 scholarships to deserving high school students in Minnesota. Each scholar will receive $4,000 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota scholarships are made possible by the Carl & Eloise Pohlad Family Foundation. Carl Pohlad is a Horatio Alger Member.  

“With the help of the Carl & Eloise Pohlad Family Foundation, 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 Minnesota recipients are:

• Saido A. Abdirashid of Minneapolis, Ubah Medical Academy Charter School
• Hassan A. Adan of Minneapolis, Roosevelt High School
• Abdirizak M. Addow of Minneapolis, Roosevelt High School
• Abdiwahab M. Ali of Minneapolis, Roosevelt High School
• Filsan A. Amin of Minneapolis, Roosevelt High School
• Omar  A. Bile of Minneapolis, Roosevelt High School
• Aliyou Bility of Minneapolis, Patrick Henry High School
• Britany  I. Brown of St. Paul, Central High School
• Naw D. Bu of St. Paul, Harding High School
• Katrina A. Caldwell of Minneapolis, Patrick Henry High School
• Ta L. Chang of St. Paul, John Johnson High School
• Lisa Chong of Osseo, Osseo High School
• Takeelah N. Fields of St. Paul, Central High School
• Maryama Green of St. Paul, Harding High School
• Ifrah J. Hirsi of Minneapolis, Ubah Medical Academy Charter School
• Abshir O. Jama of Minneapolis, Roosevelt High School
• Yimenyushal  (Mimi) D. Jigsa of Minneapolis, Ubah Medical Academy Charter School
• Aden O. Kalifa of Minneapolis, Roosevelt High School
• Nidal A. Kram of Fridley, Fridley Senior High School
• Por C. Lee of St. Paul, Central High School
• Bao  Lee of Minneapolis, Patrick Henry High School
• Habibo H. Mohamud of St. Paul, Higher Ground Academy
• Najaha A. Musse of St. Paul, Harding High School
• Linda  N. Nguyen of St. Paul, John Johnson High School
• Rahmo A. Omar of Minneapolis, Roosevelt High School
• Sonam Paldon of St. Paul, Central High School
• Michael W. Pederson of Circle Pines, Centennial High School
• Lauren N. Rhodes of Mendota Heights, Henry Sibley Sr High School
• Maisie E. Richardson Hohn of St. Paul, Central High School
• Tamika J. Scott of Minneapolis, Roosevelt High School
• Tong C. Thao of St. Paul, Harding High School
• Bao Thao of St. Paul, Arlington High School
• Mai Nhia  Vang of St. Paul, Central High School
• Yer Vang of St. Paul, Highland Park Senior High School
• Mena Vue of Minneapolis, Patrick Henry High School
• Mai  H. Vue of St. Paul, Harding High School
• Mai Pa Houa Xiong of St. Paul, Como Park Senior High School
• Yer Yang of Minneapolis, Patrick Henry High School
• Xue Yang of St. Paul, Como Park Senior High School
• Bee  Yang of St. Paul, Highland Park Senior High School
• Alee  Yang of St. Paul, Como Park Senior High School
• Pha H. Yang of St. Paul, Humboldt Senior 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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