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Qorvis Communications
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Ten Horatio Alger Scholars Accept First-Time Graduate Scholarship
Dennis and Phyllis Washington Provide $450,000 in Scholarships

Washington, D.C. – (July 14, 2008) – The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans is pleased to announce its first class of Washington Family Horatio Alger Scholarship of Excellence Grant recipients. The scholarship has been awarded to ten Horatio Alger National Scholar alumni seeking masters, professional or doctoral degrees. The program is made possible by a $10 million grant from Chairman Emeritus and Life Association Member Dennis R. Washington and his wife Phyllis.

The first class of the Washington Family Horatio Alger Scholarship of Excellence includes:

• Andrew Angely of Fort Collins, Florida
• Shana Joy Bartlett of Tampa, Florida
• Christin C. Carothers of Humarock, Massachusetts
• Bevin A. Croft of Cambridge, Massachusetts
• Tyler M. Dohlman of Ames, Iowa
• Zenaida Gallardo of Arvin, California
• Kanathy N. Haney of Lake Worth, Florida
• Ashley D. McKain of Foley, Alabama
• Amy N. Robertson Losier of Cape Coral, Florida
• Kristine Kaye Whipple of Bountiful, Utah

These individuals were selected for their determination in overcoming adversity and hardship while demonstrating excellence in academics, character and societal contributions. Awarded the Horatio Alger National Scholarships as high school seniors, the alumni recipients are enrolling in post-graduate programs at institutions across the country. 

Through the grant, the graduate scholars will receive up to $20,000 annually. Those recipients pursuing a Masters degree will receive up to two years of funding, and those seeking a professional or doctoral degree will receive up to three years of funding. The scholars were selected through an application process, which included a personal interview.

“The Washington Family Horatio Alger Grant recipients have overcome great obstacles and continue to grow as model American citizens. We’re delighted to support these individuals as they further their educational and career goals,” said Terrence J. Giroux, Executive Director of the Horatio Alger Association. “The Association is especially thankful for the generous contributions of Dennis and Phyllis Washington and their dedication to the Horatio Alger mission.”

Dennis R. Washington, Founder of the Washington Group, also has a Horatio Alger story of inspiration and success. As a child raised in humble circumstances and impacted by polio, Dennis was motivated to overcome his adversity and found himself a vice president of the largest construction company in Montana by age 26. He then proceeded to create his own construction company, which would grow to one of the largest in the nation. In 1988, Dennis and his wife Phyllis founded the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation. $70 million has been donated to charitable causes through both the Foundation and the Washington’s personal contributions.

In addition to charity, community service and the arts, the Washingtons are dedicated to advancing young Americans through higher education. They sponsor several Horatio Alger scholarship programs including the Dennis R. Washington Horatio Alger Association Graduate Fellowship at the University of Montana, The Helen B. Miller Horatio Alger Scholarship at Montana State University, and the Horatio Alger Montana Undergraduate Scholarship Program. 

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 and state scholarship programs available to high school seniors in all 50 states, and the Horatio Alger Military Veterans Scholarship Program for U.S. veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts. The Association awards more than $12 million annually in college scholarships and has given over $62 million to deserving students since 1984. For more information about the scholarships, please visit www.horatioalger.org.

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