Contact: Carrie Blewitt
Qorvis Communications
(202) 683-3216
cblewitt@qorvis.com

Fifty Students Awarded Prestigious Ak-Sar-Ben Scholarship, a partnership with the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben Foundation, the Horatio Alger Association and Teammates
The Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben Foundation Provides $250,000 in Scholarships to Teens for Overcoming Adversity in Nebraska and Iowa

WASHINGTON, June 30, 2010 – The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans is pleased to announce that it has awarded scholarships to 50 deserving high school students in Nebraska and Iowa. Each scholar will receive $5,000 to assist in funding their college education. The students were selected for the Ak-Sar-Ben Scholarship because they persevered in overcoming adversity while also demonstrating excellence in academics, admirable character and community contributions.

“We are happy to help the deserving Ak-Sar-Ben scholars attend college and achieve the American dream,” said Tony Novelly, president and chief executive officer of the Horatio Alger Association. “These scholars have exemplified the Horatio Alger ideals by using their challenges in life as a motivator for success.”

The Ak-Sar-Ben scholarships are made possible by The Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben Foundation which has supported the scholarships through the Horatio Alger Association for five years.

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 23 states. In 2010, the programs are awarding more than 675 state scholarships to students throughout the country.

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 2010 Ak-Sar-Ben recipients are: 

• Alexandra P. Abramson, Gothenburg Public School, Gothenburg, Neb.
• Autumn R. Baker, Callaway High School, Callaway, Neb.
• Jordan A. Benda, Neligh Oakdale Public School, Neligh, Neb.
• Natali E. Bianco, William Jennings Bryan High School, Omaha, Neb.
• Kimberly A. Biernbaum, Randolph High School, Belden, Neb.
• Genevieve BonFleur, Rushville High School, Rushville, Neb.
• Kaitlin E. Bridger, North Star High School, Lincoln, Neb.
• Jennifer A. Chavarria, Lexington High School, Lexington, Neb.
• Thien H. Chu, Lincoln High School, Lincoln, Neb.
• Robyn L. Classen, Saint Francis High School, Humphrey, Neb.
• Sterling K. Cumpton, Garden County High School, Lewellen, Neb.
• Lindsey M. Daigle, Boys Town High School, Boys Town, Neb.
• Caitlin A. Drummy, Papillion-Lavista High School, Papillion, Neb.
• Zejnije Emerllahu, William Jennings Bryan High School, Omaha, Neb.
• Jeremy M. Epp, Tri-County High School, Plymouth, Neb.
• Kelsi Erstrom, Callaway High School, Callaway, Neb.
• Sarah E. Fanta, Creighton Community High School, Creighton, Neb.
• Brianna J. Foster, Central High School, Omaha, Neb.
• Christy M. Freihage, Hershey Public School, Hershey, Neb.
• Samantha J. Gohr, Weeping Water High School, Louisville, Neb.
• Rebekka L. Hammer, Weeping Water High School, Avoca, Neb.
• Dylan R. Heithoff, Pope John Xxiii Ct Catholic Hs, Oakdale, Neb.
• Morgan R. Hinrichs, Sandy Creek Jr.-Sr. High School, Fairfield, Neb.
• Peter A. Inglehart, Lutheran High Northeast, Norfolk, Neb.
• Dustin L. Johnson, Millard North High School, Omaha, Neb.
• Harmony B. Jones, Lincoln Northeast High School, Lincoln, Neb.
• Allicia King, Exira Jr-Sr High School, Audubon, IA
• Taylor J. Kleinschmit, Stanton Community School, Stanton, Neb.
• Jean M. Krejci, Northwest High School, Omaha, Neb.
• Katherine Lehman, Centura High School, Boelus, Neb.
• Katie R. Lierman, West Point Junior Senior High School, West Point, Neb.
• Nicholas C. Mayberry, Riverside High School, Carson, IA
• Zachary M. McKenzie, Fullerton High School, Fullerton, Neb.
• Ceci N. Menjivar, William Jennings Bryan High School, Omaha, Neb.
• Rebekah E. Miller, York High School, York, Neb.
• Elliot R. Mitchell, West Point Junior Senior High School, West Point, Neb.
• Alexander R. Morrill, Creighton Community High School, Creighton, Neb.
• Maisie R. O'Meara, Lexington High School, Lexington, Neb.
• Christa I. Ostdiek, Lawrence/Nelson Community School, Lawrence, Neb.
• Yanira P. Perez Flores, Central High School, Omaha, Neb.
• Kiet H. Phun, Lincoln High School, Lincoln, Neb.
• Jodi R. Popken, Logan View High School, Fremont, Neb.
• Ryan J. Putnam, Kearney Catholic High School, Kearney, Neb.
• Kelcie G. Schaubroeck, Centennial High School, Utica, Neb.
• Mary C. Susman, Westside High School, Omaha, Neb.
• Lisa A. Weier, Cedar Catholic High School, Hartington, Neb.
• Chandra C. Welbon, Red Oak Community High School, Red Oak, IA
• Dominic R. Wetzbarger, Bishop Heelan Catholic High School, Sioux City, IA
• Austin M. White, Bellevue West Senior High School, Bellevue, Neb.
• Sarah M. Wolf, Hastings Senior High School, Hastings, Neb.

To view the complete list of Horatio Alger scholars and members, visit our Web site at https://www.horatioalger.org.  

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. Since 1984, the association has awarded over $70 million in college scholarships to deserving young people. The association is a Combined Federal Campaign participant; # 77062. For more information, please visit www.horatioalger.org.

###