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Fifty Montana Students Awarded Prestigious Horatio Alger State Scholarship
Phyllis and Dennis Washington Provide $5,000 Scholarships to Teens for Overcoming Adversity

WASHINGTON, October 21, 2009 – The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans is pleased to announce that it has awarded scholarships to 50 deserving high school students in Montana. Each scholar will receive $5,000 to assist in funding their college education. The students were selected for the Horatio Alger Montana State Scholarship because they persevered in overcoming adversity while also demonstrating excellence in academics, admirable character and community contributions.

“The Montana 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 Montana scholarships are made possible by Phyllis and Dennis Washington.

“We are indebted to the contributions of Phyllis and Dennis Washington,” 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 Montana recipients are:

• Maxwell R. Jahn, Absarokee High School, Absarokee
• Cheyne D. Valentine, Bigfork High School, Bigfork
• Shelby L. Gensch, Hellgate High School, Bonner
• Kelsey M. Swingle, Bozeman High School, Bozeman
• Cole D. Schwend, Bridger High School, Bridger
• Samantha J. Bobby, Bridger High School, Bridger
• Robert D. Wagner, Browning High School, Browning
• Jacob L. Richards, Butte High School, Butte
• Kathleen N. Thom, Butte High School, Butte
• Tiana L. Jensen, Circle High School, Circle
• Kristine M. Young, Hamilton High School, Corvallis
• Turquoise S. Devereaux, Charlo High School, Dixon
• Blake J. Drown, Helena High School, East Helena
• Evan D. DeCan, Florence-Carlton High School, Florence
• Mitzi J. Weisbeck, Nashua High School, Fort Peck
• Jeffrey F. Larweck, Great Falls High School, Great Falls
• Alexis N. Riesenberg, Great Falls High School, Great Falls
• Christina N. Zeak, Great Falls High School, Great Falls
• Emilia M. Strickland, Hamilton High School, Hamilton
• Jayme B. Foster, Helena High School, Helena
• Scarlet L. Ford, Lavina High School, Lavina
• Julie K. Hahn, Fergus High School, Lewistown
• Kayleigh Robbins, Park High School, Livingston
• Jamilea P. Kittelmann, Custer County District High Sc, Miles City
• Jeremiah G. Rittel, Hellgate High School, Missoula
• Kara M. Landolfi, Sentinel High School, Missoula
• Spencer T. Reh, Big Sky High School, Missoula
• Christina Vang, Big Sky High School, Missoula
• Ashley R. Gaumer, Hellgate High School, Missoula
• Hannah T. Halland, Big Sky High School, Missoula
• Krystal M. Dusenberry, Hellgate High School, Missoula
• Karley A. Whisman, Big Sky High School, Missoula
• Cassandra M. Grenfell Friend, Corvallis High School, Missoula
• Stephen P. Gade, Hellgate High School, Missoula
• Gerald S. Mace III, Sentinel High School, Missoula
• Sara Mace, Hellgate High School, Missoula
• Rachel C. Helmer, Moore High School, Moore
• Mitchell R. Thompson, Plains High School, Plains
• Sara M. Phillips-Keeble, Polson High School, Polson
• Samuel R. Dembek, Winnett High School, Roundup
• Jacob J. Frydenlund, Shelby High School, Shelby
• Naomi H. Elder, Stevensville High School, Stevensville
• Tyler J. Stenberg, Superior High School, Superior
• Emily A. Brown, Thompson Falls High School, Thompson Falls
• Kyli L. Cox, Thompson Falls High School, Thompson Falls
• Hayden A. Cristaldi, Thompson Falls High School, Thompson Falls
• Ashley E. Theule, Broadwater High School, Townsend
• Bethany J. Brown, Noxon High School, Trout Creek
• VaLori M. Johnston, Victor High School, Victor
• Chelsea B. Smith-West, White Sulphur Springs High School, White Sulphur Springs

The deadline for submitting applications for the 2010 Horatio Alger National and State Scholarship Programs is Friday, October 30, 2009. Students from all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, are encouraged to apply. An online application can be found at http://www.horatioalger.com/scholarships.

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 2009 Combined Federal Campaign participant, ID# 77062. For more information, please visit www.horatioalger.org.

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