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Forty-nine Florida Students Awarded Prestigious Horatio Alger State Scholarship
H. Wayne and Marti Huizenga 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 49 deserving high school students in Florida. Each scholar will receive $5,000 to assist in funding their college education. The students were selected for the Horatio Alger Florida State Scholarship because they persevered in overcoming adversity while also demonstrating excellence in academics, admirable character and community contributions.

“The Florida 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 Florida scholarships are made possible by H. Wayne and Marti Huizenga.

“We are indebted to the contributions of H. Wayne and Marti Huizenga,” Sokol added. “They are truly stewards of the Horatio Alger mission. Their 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 Florida recipients are:

• Erice C. Christian, Coconut Creek, Monarch High School
• Mohamed Sabahi, Coconut Creek, Monarch High School
• Hanzala Siddiq, Coconut Creek, Monarch High School
• Matthew N. Caiano, Coconut Creek, Deerfield Beach High School
• Steven D. Bastardo, Cooper City, Cooper City High School
• Tabitha J. Baker, Cooper City, Piper High School
• Pedro L. Rojas, Coral Springs, Coral Springs Charter School
• Shana M. Sokoloff, Coral Springs, Coral Glades High School
• I’m Unique E. Willingham, Dania, William T. McFatter Vo-Tech HS
• Alicia L. Kilian, Dania, South Broward High School
• Stojanka Jovanov, Dania, South Broward High School
• Joshua S. Carman, Davie, William T. McFatter Vo-Tech HS
• Richard J. Roundtree, Deerfield Beach, Atlantic Technical Magnet School
• Nathaniel B. Myles, Deerfield Beach, Dillard High School
• Jeremy Lully, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale High School
• Dorian J. Kersch, Fort Lauderdale, William T. McFatter Vo-Tech HS
• Emir J. Mizell, Fort Lauderdale, NOVA High School
• James J. Robison, Fort Lauderdale, Saint Thomas Aquinas High School
• Sara Sapp, Fort Pierce, St Lucie West Centennial High School
• Jasmine L. Wimes, Fort Pierce, Fort Pierce Westwood High School
• Lauren L. Caffee, Fort Pierce, Lincoln Park Academy
• Ja’Mia S. Gibson, Fort Pierce, Fort Pierce Central High School
• Jonathan B. Mason, Fort Pierce, Lincoln Park Academy
• Marlena T. Williams, Ft. Lauderdale, Dillard High School
• Daniel H. Sohn, Ft. Lauderdale, Eagle Academy Charter School
• Stephanie Klein, Hobe Sound, South Fork High School
• Jade Engelhardt, Hollywood, South Broward High School
• Jasmine N. Sheppard, Lauderdlae Lakes, Blanche Ely High School
• Sean D. Chinn, Lauderhill, Piper High School
• Kimberly A. Scott, Lauderhill, Piper High School
• Cristina N. Dueno, Miramar, NOVA High School
• Christine L. Paulauskis, Oakland Park, Northeast High School
• Nathaniel R. Bruton, Palm City, South Fork High School
• Chelsea E. Greco, Palm City, Martin County High School
• Shirley L. Pimentel, Pembroke Pines, College Academy At Bcc
• Melissa V. Morales, Pembroke Pines, McArthur High School
• Abrar M. Polani, Plantation, Boyd H. Anderson High School
• Nicholas A. Smith, Pompano Beach, Coconut Creek High School
• Sazedul Khan, Pompano Beach, Blanche Ely High School
• Lysa Vola, Stuart, Jensen Beach High School
• Anne L. Backer, Stuart, Clark Advanced Learning Center
• Jonathan D. Carp, Stuart, Martin County High School
• Joseph M. Conti, Stuart, Martin County High School
• Colby Burtt, Stuart, Jensen Beach High School
• Nancy H. Nguyen, Stuart, Martin County High School
• Mercedes C. Young, Stuart, Martin County High School
• Oliver C. Sohn, Sunrise, Piper High School
• Sachi J. Sekoff, Sunrise, Piper High School
• Palveshey Tariq, Sunrise, Piper 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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