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Fifty Arizona Students Awarded Prestigious Horatio Alger State Scholarship
Walter and Suzanne Scott Foundation Provides $250,000 in Scholarships to Teens for Overcoming Adversity

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 Arizona. Each scholar will receive $5,000 to assist in funding their college education. The students were selected for the Horatio Alger Arizona 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 scholars from Arizona 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 Arizona scholarships are made possible by Walter and Suzanne Scott Foundation which has supported the state with scholarships through the Horatio Alger Association for two 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 Arizona recipients are:

• Joanna M. Acosta, San Manuel High School, San Manuel
• Andrea C. Arellano, Maryvale High School, Phoenix
• Jennifer Arellano, Chandler High School, Chandler
• Abigail Ayala, Metro Tech Vocational Insttitue of Phoenix, Phoenix
• Michele M. Ayala, Skyline High School, Apache Junction
• Margot Bernal, Nogales High School, Nogales
• Erika L. Besthoff, Gilbert High School, Gilbert
• Logan R. Bilby, Chaparral High School, Scottsdale
• Noelia Callejas, Dobson High School, Mesa
• Roman Cereceres, Thunderbird High School, Phoenix
• Monica Chaung, Cactus High School, Phoenix
• Rachel M. Corbin, Buckeye Union High School, Buckeye
• Marina N. Denogean, Red Mountain High School, Mesa
• Hiedi Engler, Westwood High School, Mesa
• Brandon S. Foutz, Apache Junction High School, Apache Junction
• Kaitlyn R. Goff, Gilbert High School, Gilbert
• Kelli J. Golden, Sequoia Choice Distance Learning, Gilbert
• Nelson P. Guillen, Camelback High School, Phoenix
• Leah H. Gunnell, Lake Havasu High School, Lake Havasu City
• Brittany C. Hardy, North High School, Avondale
• John Harris, Carl Hayden High School, Phoenix
• Cullen D. Heath, Sedona Red Rock High School, Sedona
• Maria J. Hernandez, Carl Hayden High School, Phoenix
• Samantha N. Jensen, Beaver Dam High School, Littlefield
• Rozan A. Latham, Deer Valley High School, Glendale
• Tam M. Le, Catalina High School, Tucson
• Mariah K. Lee, Highland High School, Gilbert
• Stephanie W. Luc, Hamilton High School, Chandler
• Marisela Mendez Tapia, Buckeye Union High School, Buckeye
• Laura Moedano, Cibola High School, Yuma
• Mookho E. Mokhesi, Page High School, Page
• Jonathan R. Nasipak, Washington High School, Chandler
• Aurela A. Nau-Ramaine, Westwood High School, Tucson
• Briana J. Ortega, Globe High School, Claypool
• Raquel I. Ortiz, Marana High School, Tucson
• Paulina Peng, Chandler High School, Chandler
• Sierra Perkins, Sunnyslope High School, Phoenix
• Haichau Phan, Maryvale High School, Laveen
• Edith S. Preciado, North High School, Phoenix
• Diana Quintana, East Valley Academy, Mesa
• Xavier A. Rivera, Desert View High School, Tucson
• Julianna C. Roberts, Mesquite High School, Chandler
• Anthony Sanchez, Paradise Valley High School, Phoenix
• Rachel Sandler, Hamilton High School, Chandler
• Ting Chung L. Tang, Centennial High School, Peoria
• Tuyet D. Tran, Independence High School, Glendale
• Machaela L. Tucker, Cortez High School, Phoenix
• Arisdelzi Urtusuastegui, Rio Rico High School, Rio Rico
• Elizabeth R. Wieskamp, Pinnacle High School, Glendale
• Michelle Wilkins, Mountain View High School, Mesa

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.

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