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Fifty Pennsylvania Students Awarded Prestigious Horatio Alger State Scholarship
Joseph and Jeanette Neubauer of the Neubauer Family Foundation 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 50 deserving high school students in Pennsylvania. Each scholar will receive $5,000 to assist in funding their college education. The students were selected for the Horatio Alger Pennsylvania State Scholarship because they persevered in overcoming adversity while also demonstrating excellence in academics, admirable character and community contributions.

“The Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania scholarships are made possible by Joseph and Jeanette Neubauer of the Neubauer Family Foundation.

“We are indebted to the contributions of Joseph and Jeanette Neubauer of the Neubauer Family Foundation,” 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 Pennsylvania recipients are:

• Sara J. Myers, Altoona, Altoona Area High School
• Eric J. Gehringer, Bechtelsville, Boyertown Area Sr High School
• Lesley Gambone, Bridgeville, Chartiers Valley High School
• Tanya L. Carter, Bristol, Harry S Truman High School
• Ashley N. Wood, Canonsburg, Canon-McMillan High School
• Catherine R. Maksin, Clairton, Clairton High School
• Kevin M. Nelson, Columbus, Corry Area High School
• Tiana R. Smith, Coraopolis, Cornell High School
• Whitney Walters, Corry, Corry Area High School
• Jessica L. Neeper, Curwensville, Curwensville Area High School
• Alessa Klingensmith, East Berlin, Bermudian Springs High School
• Danika J. Clevenstine, Easton, Wilson Area High School
• Abigail M. Urraro, Edinboro, General Mclane High School
• Emily k. Stone, Elizabethtown, Donegal High School
• Christina M. Erdely, Erie, Fort Le Boeuf High School
• Alexis G. Secara, Erie, Mercyhurst Preparatory School
• Alexandra Salen, Erie, Mercyhurst Preparatory School
• Aliza R. Holmes, Fawn Grove, Kennard-dale High School
• Cindy Bui, Folsom, Ridley High School
• Judy D. Shupe, Franklin, Franklin Area Sr High School
• Barry E. Harris, Glenolden, Interboro High School
• Dylan P. Shipton, Greenville, Reynolds High School
• Roger D. Irby, Greenville, Greenville Senior High School
• My-Phuong T. Pham, Harrisburg, Central Dauphin East Senior Hs
• Jasmine A. Narcisse, Johnstown, Greater Johnstown High School
• Charles Whitman, Lake Ariel, Wallenpaupack Area High School
• Melissa L. Hoffman, Malvern, Great Valley High School
• Tara L. See, Minersville, Minersville Area High School
• Kirstie N. Knaur, Montgomery, Montgomery Area Jr-sr Hs
• Kerry Morton, Newtown, Council Rock High School
• Joel J. Limbauan, Norristown, Norristown Area High School
• Charity C. Soffos, Paradise, Pequea Valley High School
• Joi S. Johnson, Philadelphia, John Bartram Motivation School
• Nga K. Lam, Philadelphia, Saint Maria Goretti Hs
• Josephine Nyame, Philadelphia, Girard College
• Rachel A. Morrow, Philadelphia, W  William Bodine Hs Int Affair
• Minx M. Smith, Philadelphia, G W Carver High School
• Robin E. Lavery, Philadelphia, Girard Academic Music Program
• Joseph R. Thum, Philadelphia, Central High School
• Amanda J. Uhme, Pittsburgh, Mount Lebanon High School
• Ashley A. Wilcox, Pittsfield, Youngsville Middle-Senior Hs
• Elyssa D. Kucenski, Ridgway, Ridgway Area High School
• Jeffrey A. Barber, Shinglehouse, Oswayo Valley Jr-sr High Sch
• Renee Y. Sanderford, Silverdale, Pennridge High School
• Jocelyn E. McCartney, Springdale, Springdale High School
• Evan Whildin, Tamaqua, Marian Catholic High School
• Angelica M. Paletta, Washington, Home School Clearing House
• Stephanie K. Waterson, Waterford, Fort Le Boeuf High School
• Amy Scalise, Waterford, Seneca High School
• Gail A. Switzer, Womelsdorf, Conrad Weiser Area 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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