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Twenty-Five Pennsylvania Students Awarded Prestigious Horatio Alger Franklin Scholarship
The Pew Charitable Trusts and The Horatio Alger Association have provided $1,250,000 in Scholarships since 2007 to Teens for Overcoming Adversity

WASHINGTON, July 22, 2010 – The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans is pleased to announce that it has awarded its 2010 class of Pennsylvania scholarship recipients. Twenty-five deserving high school students will receive $10,000 to assist in funding their college education. The students were selected for the Horatio Alger Franklin 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 Pennsylvania 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 Franklin scholarships were established in 2007 with support from The Pew Charitable Trusts.   

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 Pennsylvania recipients are:

• Eunique C. Burth of G W Carver High School, Philadelphia
• Sydney N. Carter of The Neighborhood Academy, Verona
• Jesse C. Clawges-Griffith of Harry S. Truman High School, Croydon
• Desirae F. Doty of McDowell High School, Erie
• Nicholas A. Ferraro of Mckeesport Area Senior High School, White Oak
• Janelle A. Forker of Williamsport Area High School , Williamsport
• Laken Gehris of Hempfield High School, Lancaster
• Amanda M. Gipson of Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School, Drums
• Melissa C. Heid of Hampton High School, Gibsonia
• Taylor M. Hill of Rocky Grove High School, Franklin
• Mariya Keselman of Northeast High School, Philadelphia
• Michelle S. Lamary of Northwestern Senior High School, West Springfield
• Daniel Lipsman of Central High School, Philadelphia
• Alexa R. McCourt of Northwest Area Junior/Senior High School, Stillwater
• Yasir M. Mughal of G W Carver High School, Philadelphia
• Beau N. Norton of Corry Area High School, Corry
• Kelsey E. Nuhfer of Warren Area High School, Warren
• Alyssa L. Rhoades of Fannett Metal High School, Doylesburg
• Korbin P. Ritter-Butz of Cocalico Senior High School, Adamstown
• Katie E. Stanko of Sharpsville Area Senior High School, Transfer
• Talya K. Taylor of Lancaster Mennonite School, Lancaster
• Norman Tieu of Roman Catholic High School, Philadelphia
• Kelly E. Vaghenas of Stroudsburg High School, East Stroudsburg
• Sean C. Williams Jr. of Delaware Valley High School, Philadelphia
• Napol M. Wills of Central High School, Philadelphia

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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