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

Twenty-Five South Dakota Students Awarded Prestigious Horatio Alger State Scholarship
MidAmerican Energy Foundation Provides $5,000 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 South Dakota. 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 South Dakota 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 state scholarships to students throughout the country.

The South Dakota scholarships are made possible by MidAmerican Energy Foundation, which has supported the state with scholarships through the Horatio Alger Association since 2006.

“With the help of MidAmerican Energy 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 South Dakota recipients are:

• Vicki C. Arjil of Mission, Todd County Jr-Sr High School
• Kayla M. Bertsch of Miller, Miller Area High School
• Stefanie  G. Chmielewski of Sioux Falls, Washington High School
• Shari A. Elsen of Frederick, Frederick High School
• Aimee J. Engle of Yankton of Yankton Senior High School
• Sarah E. Erfman of Miller, Miller Area High School
• Micah G. Erickson of Beresford, Beresford High School
• Dylan H. Fills Pipe of Pine Ridge, Red Cloud High School
• Laura E. Foiles of Brookings, Brookings High School
• Katherine M. Foiles of Brookings, Brookings High School
• Andrew R. Hanson of Tripp, Tripp-Delmont High School
• Kelsey N. Heer, Doland, Doland Public School
• Marie C. Holtzmann of Yankton, Yankton Senior High School
• Erika R. Holzer of Lead, Lead-Deadwood High School
• Brittany L. Hutt of Estelline, Estelline High School
• Chant S. Knight of Pine Ridge, Red Cloud High School
• Ka Man Lee of Aberdeen of Aberdeen Central High School
• William D. McClain of Miller, Sunshine Bible Academy
• Heidi Nelson of Custer, Custer High School
• Megan L. Pannell of Watertown, Watertown Senior High School
• Kiva N. Sam of Martin, Bennett County High School
• Maegan J. Scherer of Martin, Bennett County High School
• Kyle R. Stockland of Irene, Irene Wakonda Public School
• Jessa R. Waters of Vermillion, Vermillion High School
• Kara E. Weiss of Miller, Sunshine Bible Academy

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.

# # #