Contact: Stephane Leblois
(703) 684-9444
sleblois@horatioalger.com

Fifty Nebraska High School Seniors Receive the Ak-Sar-Ben Scholarship in Partnership with the Horatio Alger Association
The Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben Foundation donates $300,000+ to deserving local students.

April 23, 2012, WASHINGTON, D.C. -The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans is honored to announce the list of the Ak-Sar-Ben Scholars from the State of Nebraska and western Iowa. These recipients are also known as Horatio Alger State Scholars and are chosen based on their demonstrated commitment to education, their dedication to community service, and strength of character in overcoming personal obstacles to achieve academic excellence.

“We are truly honored to offer these deserving students the opportunity to pursue a college education,” said Tony Novelly, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Horatio Alger Association, “We know that they will carry on the Horatio Alger values of perseverance and courage in the face of adversity as they continue with their education and pursue careers.”

Each scholar will receive $6,000 that will go toward their college tuition fees, books, on-campus room and board, and other education-related expenses. In addition to the scholarship, the students will receive:

• 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 with program coordinators for assistance with questions about their scholarships and other educational programs.
• The opportunity to be mentored through a partnership with TeamMates Mentoring.
• Local post-secondary institutional matching dollars.

The Horatio Alger Association’s scholarship programs are funded by its Members, friends of the organization, and other partnering foundations. Since 1985, the Association has provided $3,490,500.00 in scholarships to high school seniors from Nebraska.Since 2005  the Nebraska Scholarship Program has been funded by the  Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben Foundation. Support for this program is generated through the Ak-Sar-Ben Coronation and Scholarship Ball.

The 2012 Horatio Alger Ak-Sar-Ben Nebraska State Scholarship Recipients are:

Carly R. Adams, Heelan Catholic High School, South Sioux City Jazzmyn Anderson, Kearney High School, Kearney Jordan R. Bowman, Elmwood-Murdock High School, Ashland Brooklyn N. Bradley, Benson High School, Omaha Alexis R. Bradley, Benson High School, Omaha Morgan Bredthauer, Aurora High School, Hampton Drew Bryant, Cody Kilgore Unified School, Kilgore Shalonda L. Burkhalter, Omaha North High School, Omaha Rachel N. Burklund, Lincoln Southeast High School, Lincoln Sarah A. Cohen, Westside High School, Omaha Chance L. Connell, Stapleton Public School, Stapleton Matthew J. DeGarmo, Seward High School, Brainard Jasmine J. Greenfield, Bancroft Rosalie High School, Bancroft Elizabeth A. Gubbels, Coleridge High School, Coleridge Arelica Guerrero, South High School, Omaha Alesha M. Hall, Arcadia Public School, Ansley KaeLynn A. Harrison, Northwest High School, Grand Island Kaitlyn A. Heitz, Hemingford High School, Hemingford Natasha E. Hongsermeier, Aurora High School, Phillips Adamma L. Izuegbunam, Burke High School, Omaha Dana R. Johnson, Twin River Public School, Genoa Rachel A. Kaman, Hemingford High School, Hemingford Djenaba M. Kelly, Central High School, Omaha Dillon P. Kennedy, Westside High School, Omaha

Taylor M. Kolvek, Ralston High School, Omaha Jesse R. Kosch, Northwest High School, Grand Island Frantzlee LaCrete, Garden County High School, Lewellen Sam J. Lee, Westside High School, Omaha Beatriz Martinez, York High School, York Amanda J. McClure, York High School, York Hilde A. McKee, Pius X High School, Lincoln Megan J. McLean, Sandhills High School, Brewster Malia K. McQueen, Omaha North High School, Omaha Curtis J. Nelson, Centura High School, Boelus Megan J. Overfield, Beatrice High School, Beatrice Dakota J. Pariset, Centennial High School, Utica Morgan L. Pernicek, Scotus Central Catholic High School, Schuyle Robia S. Qasimyar, Burke High School, Omaha Kiley A. Samek, Shelby Public School, Rising City Cole H. Seefus, Bellevue West Senior High School, Bellevue Katelynn R. Stewart, Sutherland High School, Sutherland Jessica B. Thai, Millard North High School, Omaha Moriah M. Thompson, Millard South High School, Omaha Jessica K. Tietz, Bancroft Rosalie High School, Bancroft Dulaney N. Tjarks, Westside High School, Omaha Dylan A. Travis, Daniel J Gross High School, Omaha Laurie M. Venteicher, Pierce Public High School, Pierce Cheyenne J. Wilson, Minden High School, Minden Kimberly E. Wood, Greeley-Wolbach High School, Greeley Madison Yohe, Heelan Catholic High School, South Sioux City

Founded in 1947, the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans celebrates those individuals in our society whose determination and hard work enabled them to overcome life’s obstacles to achieve success. As a 501(c)(3) education non-profit, the Association provides scholarships and mentorship to high school seniors who have demonstrated courage in the face of adversity and an unwavering desire to pursue a higher education. The Horatio Alger Association has awarded more than $90 million in college scholarships since the inception of its scholarship programs in 1984. For more information, please visit www.horatioalger.org.

 The Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben Foundation was founded in 1895 . Its mission is “to leverage collective business leadership to build a more prosperous Heartland. Since inception the Foundation has contributed more than $50 Million in the region. For more information, please visit www.aksarben.org.

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