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Justice Clarence Thomas to be Named 2010 Norman Vincent Peale Recipient, Highest Honor from the Horatio Alger Association
Washington D.C. Student to Receive Horatio Alger National Scholarship Worth $20,000

WASHINGTON, March 2, 2010 – The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans is pleased to announce that U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas will receive the 2010 Norman Vincent Peale Award next month.

Thomas will formally receive the award on April 9, 2010 in Washington, D.C. for his ongoing support and commitment to the association and his exceptional humanitarian contributions to society.

The Horatio Alger Association is also pleased to announce that it has awarded a student from Washington D.C. to receive the Horatio Alger National Scholarship worth $20,000 to fund their college education. Brandon Bell of Archbishop Carroll high school will receive the esteemed scholarship for a four-year college or university of his choice, also during the Washington ceremonies.

Bell is one of 104 American high school students selected for the Horatio Alger National Scholarship Program because he has faced and overcome great obstacles in his young life while demonstrating strength of character, a commitment to pursue a college education, and a desire to contribute to society. The national scholars are among the best and most determined youth in America.

“We are excited to welcome our 2010 National Scholars along with our new class of members. These young men and women have exemplified the Horatio Alger ideals by using their challenges in life as a motivator for success,” said David L. Sokol, president and chief executive officer of the Horatio Alger Association. “The association is not just a check-writing organization. We are proud to focus on the whole scholar and to help the students find continued success in school and beyond.”

During the four-day event in Washington, the 2010 Horatio Alger Members will meet and mingle with the 2010 National Scholars and share valuable life lessons and advice.

The association will award the following other ten individuals with the Horatio Alger Award: Albert T. Annexstad, Chairman, Federated Insurance Companies; William Alfred Cook, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Cook Group Incorporated; General Tommy R. Franks, Former Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Central Command, and Chairman, Franks & Associates; Joseph M. “Jody” Grant, Partner and Senior Advisor, BankCap Partners, and Chairman Emeritus, Texas Capital Bank; Jenard M. Gross, President, Gross Investments; Lawrence Mead Higby, CEO (Retired), Vice Chairman and Advisor, Apria Healthcare Group Inc.; Richard D. Holland, Philanthropist and Chairman (Retired), Rollheiser Holland Kahler Advertising; Alan B. Miller, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Universal Health Services, Inc.; Condoleezza Rice, Former Secretary of State, US Department of State, and Provost, Stanford University; James M. Seneff Jr., Founder and CEO, CNL Financial Group, Inc.; Earl W. Stafford Sr., Chief Executive Officer, The Wentworth Group LLC, and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Stafford Foundation, Inc.

The Horatio Alger Scholarship Program is one of the largest need-based scholarship programs in the country and the association annually awards nearly $7 million in college scholarships in the United States. In addition to the $20,000 scholarship fund, each scholar is given access to tools specifically designed to help him or her prepare for college, perform better while in college, graduate at a higher rate, develop career skills, and build a lifetime relationship with the Horatio Alger Association.

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 has been a Combined Federal Campaign participant; # 77062. For more information, please visit www.horatioalger.org.

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