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Twenty-eight Texas Students Awarded Prestigious Horatio Alger State Scholarship
T. Boone Pickens Provides $140,000 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 28 deserving high school students in Texas. Each scholar will receive $5,000 to assist in funding their college education. The students were selected for the Horatio Alger Texas State Scholarship because they persevered in overcoming adversity while also demonstrating excellence in academics, admirable character and community contributions.

“The Texas 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 Texas scholarships are made possible by Horatio Alger member T. Boone Pickens.

“We are indebted to the contributions of T. Boone Pickens,” 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 Texas recipients are:

• Andrew T. Orozco of Abilene, Eula High School
• Amanda M. Scanio of Arlington, Lamar High School
• Brooke A. Brock of Austin, Mccallum High School
• Nicole A. Cobb of Boerne, Boerne - Samuel V. Champion High School
• Krizia B. Ramirez of Devine, Devine High School
• Brittany M. Lopez of Edinburg, Edinburg High School
• Alfredo Trejo of Edinburg, Edinburg High School
• Teresa A. Brown of El Paso, Irvin High School
• Gilberto A. Aguilar of El Paso, Irvin High School
• Derrow W. Carter of Grand Prairie, Macarthur High School
• Rudy M. Torres of Houston, Macarthur High School
• Miranda Abernathy of Kaufman, Scurry-Rosser High School
• Bridgette D. Relph of Leander, Leander High School
• Cody J. Duff of Lubbock, Estacado High School
• Chelsea E. Leggett of Mineral Wells, Mineral Wells High School
• Kyle C. Clement of Pasadena, Deer Park High School South Campus
• Victoria L. Benson of Prosper, Prosper High School
• Katie R. Jones of San Antonio, Sam Houston High School
• Kayla J. Edgett of San Antonio, Douglas Macarthur High School
• Maleaha L. Brown of San Antonio, Taft High School
• Hannah E. Pogue of San Antonio, Believers Academy
• Jon-Michael Narvaez of San Antonio, John Marshall High School
• Aditya Kumar of Stafford, Stafford High School
• James G. Daniels of Stratford, Stratford High School
• La Misa C. Winston of Tyler, Chapel Hill High School
• Christian A. Lloyd of Waxahachie, Waxahachie High School
• Heather M. Hanna of Waxahachie, Avalon High School
• Diakeishaye Y. Murphy of Wichita Falls, Hirschi Math/Science IB Magnet

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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