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Twenty-Five South Dakota Students Awarded Prestigious Horatio Alger State Scholarship
MidAmerican Energy Foundation Provides $125,000 in Scholarships to Teens for Overcoming Adversity

WASHINGTON, June 25, 2010 – The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans is pleased to announce that it has awarded scholarships to 25 deserving high school students in South Dakota. Each scholar will receive $5,000 to assist in funding their college education. The students were selected for the Horatio Alger South Dakota 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 South Dakota attend college and achieve the American dream,” said Tony Novelly, president and chief executive officer of the Horatio Alger Association. “These scholars exemplify the Horatio Alger ideals by using their challenges in life as a motivator for success.”

The South Dakota scholarships are made possible by the MidAmerican Energy Foundation which has supported the state with scholarships through the Horatio Alger Association for four 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 website, where students can create online profiles, search for fellow scholars, update 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 South Dakota recipients are:

• Ashley L. Cremers of Huron High School, Huron
• Presley J. Door of Brookings High School, Brookings
• Jamie T. Flint of Aberdeen Central High School, Aberdeen
• Austin Haynes of Bennett County High School, Martin
• Haley J. Henrichs of Beresford High School, Beresford
• Jessica D. Hovland of Highmore High School, Highmore
• Rhiannon P. Jakopak of Scotland High School, Scotland
• Sarah J. Jenson of Huron High School, Huron
• Katrina M. Kamerzell of Bennett County High School, Martin
• Hannah E. Lily of Home School Clearing House, Lily
• Andrew M. Martin of Watertown Senior High School, Watertown
• Ethan McClain of Sunshine Bible Academy, Miller
• Amanda Nelson of Clark High School, Clark
• Austin D. Osterloh of Wilmot Public School, Wilmot
• Emily M. Pedersen of Sunshine Bible Academy, Miller
• Danielle M. Piroutek of Philip High School, Milesville
• Ashley A. Pitz of Ipswich High School, Ipswich
• Alyssa M. Ramsey of Highmore High School, Harrold
• Jenna M. Ryan of Waubay High School, Waubay
• Alyson A. Schwebach of Colman-Egan High School, Egan
• Jacey W. Twiss of Red Cloud High School, Pine Ridge
• Jacob E. VanGundy of Hot Springs High School, Hot Springs
• Keaya M. Weber of Wagner Community High School, Wagner
• Kelsey D. Worrall of Huron High School, Huron
• Hannah J. Zubke of Waubay High School, Waubay

To view the complete list of Horatio Alger scholars and members, visit the organization’s website 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 more than $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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