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Thirty-seven California Students Awarded Prestigious Horatio Alger State Scholarship
Arthur Ciocca Provides $250,000 to Fund Scholarships for Teens that Overcame Adversity

WASHINGTON, May 12, 2009 – The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans is pleased to announce that it has awarded scholarships to 37 deserving high school students in California. Each scholar will receive $4,000 to assist in funding their college education. The students were selected for the Horatio Alger California State Scholarship because they persevered in overcoming adversity while also demonstrating excellence in academics, admirable character and community contributions.

“The California scholars have overcome great obstacles and we are proud to present this award,” said David L. Sokol, president and chief executive officer of the Horatio Alger Association. “Through this scholarship program, we celebrate their accomplishments and help them reach their future goals.”

The Horatio Alger State Scholarship Programs range from $2,500 to $10,500 and are sponsored by Horatio Alger members and friends. These scholarships are offered in 29 states. In 2009, the programs are awarding more than 600 state scholarships to students throughout the country.

The California scholarships are made possible by Horatio Alger member Arthur Ciocca.

“We are indebted to the contributions of Arthur Ciocca,” Sokol added. “He is truly a steward of the Horatio Alger mission. His support enables us to continue to offer young people access to a brighter future through higher education.”

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

• Financial aid guidance to assist in the 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 2009 California recipients are:

• Michelle A. Bibbins, Alameda, Alameda High School
• Ariel M. Huff, Bakersfield, North High School
• Mo’Niek M. Williby, Berkeley, Berkeley High School
• Angelica Mewhorter, Calistoga, Calistoga High School
• Victoria N. Lyons, Campbell, Prospect High School
• Mary E. Skramstad, Concord, Ygnacio Valley High School
• Betty Kwan, El Sobrante, De Anza High School
• Thanh L. Tran, Elk Grove, Valley High School
• Leo Kao, Fremont, American High School
• Anhvu Nguyen, Fremont, Irvington High School
• Noella Robles, Fremont, John F Kennedy High School
• Vi Yang, Fresno, Mclane High School
• Joel Perez, Fresno, Theodore Roosevelt High School
• Hannah T. Lilligren, Fresno, Bullard High School
• Guadalupe Y. Torres, Galt, Galt Joint Union High School
• Guadalupe Dominguez, Galt, Galt Joint Union High School
• Augustine Lombera, Kingsburg, Kingsburg Joint Union Hs
• Rebekah A. Carlson, Lakeport, Kelseyville High School
• William Chour, Lodi, Tokay High School
• Gurwinder Kaur, Manteca, Manteca High School
• Celsa M. Zarate, Nipomo, Nipomo High School
• Christopher Gebhart Anderson, Oakdale, Oakdale High School
• Jose s. Pino, Parlier, Parlier High School
• Xjenai M. Peralta, Porterville, Granite Hills High School
• Asadullah K. Awan, Sacramento, Hiram  W Johnson High School
• Nia A. Burnett, Salinas, Everett Alvarez High School
• Leticia Garcia-Romo, Salinas, Everett Alvarez High School
• Tanea Lunsford, San Francisco, School Of The Arts
• Vicky D. Nguyen, San Jose, Abraham Lincoln High School
• Abel Lujan, San Jose, Independence High School
• Chelsea Blakeley, San Mateo, Hillsdale High School
• Mary Rachel Gardner, San Mateo, Burlingame High School
• Timothy C. Miguel, Soledad, Soledad High School
• Gustavo Gonzalez, Stockton, Edison Senior High School
• Xavier Rodriguez, Tulare, Tulare Western High School
• Alexandra N. Klepp, Walnut Creek, Las Lomas High School
• Sarah J. Curran, Weaverville, Trinity High School

Scholars are encouraged to remain connected with the association throughout their lives and become active members of the Horatio Alger alumni group.

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, State Scholarship Programs and Graduate Grants. The association awards nearly $7 million annually in college scholarships and has given more than $63 million to deserving students since 1984. The association is a 2008-2009 Combined Federal Campaign participant. For more information, please visit www.horatioalger.org.

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