Contact: Jill Grozalsky
Qorvis Communications
202-683-3214
jgrozalsky@qorvis.com

Twenty-Six South Dakota Students Awarded Esteemed Horatio Alger State Scholarship

WASHINGTON, June 28, 2011 – The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans is pleased to announce that it has awarded scholarships to 26 outstanding High School students in South Dakota. Each scholar will receive $5,000 toward their college education. The students were selected for the Horatio Alger South Dakota Scholarship because they persevered in overcoming adversity while succeeding academically, contributing to the community and exhibiting exemplary character.

“We are privileged to provide scholarships to the deserving students from South Dakota to attend college and achieve the American dream,” said Tony Novelly, president and chief executive officer of the Horatio Alger Association. “These students have overcome challenges in their lives and have become stronger, more determined people because of it.”

The scholarships provided by the Horatio Alger State Scholarship Programs range from $2,500 to $20,000 and are sponsored by Horatio Alger members and friends. In 2011, the programs are awarding more than 850 state scholarships to students throughout the country. This marks the first year that the state scholarships are assisting students in all 50 states.

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 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 2011 South Dakota recipients are:

• Michelle Albert, Roosevelt High School, Sioux Falls
• Keri Baumberger, Mcintosh High School, Mcintosh
• Lacey Carroll, Highmore High School, Highmore
• Raechel Christensen, Madison High School, Madison
• Sonyah Clifford, Red Cloud High School, Pine Ridge
• Tawnie DeJong, Philip High School, Philip
• Zachary Effing, Sanborn Central High School, Forestburg
• Dana Fanning, Miller Area High School, Miller
• Erin Fernholz, Platte High School, Platte
• Trenton Giddings, Highmore High School, Highmore
• Xavier Glover, Lead-Deadwood High School, Lead
• Tanner Jackson, Wagner Community High School, Wagner
• DeAndra McLaughlin, Red Cloud High School, Pine Ridge
• Nicole Merriman, T.F. Riggs High School, Pierre
• Taylor Miller, Lead-Deadwood High School, Lead
• Alex Ogren, Watertown Senior High School, Watertown
• Camden Raizola, Vermillion High School, Vermillion
• Madisyn Rowley, Timber Lake High School, Timber Lake
• Olivia Siglin, Webster High School, Webster
• Amanda Simantel, Scotland High School, Scotland
• Katie Smith, Lincoln High School, Sioux Falls
• Tomilyn Trask, Philip High School, Philip
• Brandon Two Bulls, Red Cloud High School, Pine Ridge
• Brianna Youngstrom, Wagner Community High School, Wagner

To view the complete list of Horatio Alger scholars and members, visit our website at www.horatioalger.org. The 2012 Horatio Alger Scholarship Application will be available beginning August 1 – October 30, 2011 at www.horatioalger.org/scholarships.

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. The association will have awarded more than $87 million in scholarships through 2012 to deserving young people determined to earn college degrees. The association is a Combined Federal Campaign participant; # 77062. For more information, please visit www.horatioalger.org

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