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Fifty Louisiana Students Awarded Prestigious Horatio Alger State Scholarship
William J. Doré Provides $525,500 Scholarship Fund  to Teens Who Have Overcome Adversity

WASHINGTON, August 4, 2009 – The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans is pleased to announce that it has awarded scholarships to 50 deserving high school students in Louisiana. Each scholar will receive $10,500 to assist in funding their college education. The students were selected for the Horatio Alger Louisiana State Scholarship because they persevered in overcoming adversity while also demonstrating excellence in academics, admirable character and community contributions.

“The Louisiana scholars have overcome great obstacles and we are proud to present this award,” said David L. Sokol, president and chief executive officer of the Horatio Alger Association. “Through this scholarship program, we celebrate their accomplishments and help them reach their future goals.”

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 29 states. In 2009, the programs are awarding more than 600 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 2009 Louisiana recipients are:

• Jonathan Allen, New Iberia Senior High School, New Iberia
• Matthew Andress, Acadiana High School, Lafayette
• Jasmine Antoine, Edna Karr Magnet School, New Orleans
• Mark Brooks, Brother Martin High School, New Orleans
• Keri Brown, Terrebonne High School, Houma
• Meghan Brown, Fontainebleau High School, Mandeville
• Jack Buttitta, Saint Frederick High School, Monroe
• Candis Camarigg, Lutheran High School, River Ridge
• Quincy Charles, Northside High School, Lafayette
• Tasneem Chowdhury, Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy, Kenner
• Laci Comeaux, Delcambre High School, Delcambre
• Braylon Cormier, Iota High School, Iota
• Marleeta DeClouette, Oberlin High School, Oberlin
• Diamond Dillard, Minden High School, Minden
• Parthenia Dillion, Amite High School, Amite
• Zerick Dunbar, Sicily Island High School, Sicily Island
• Bobby Duncan Jr, Singer High School, Singer
• Samantha Duraso, South Beauregard High School, Ragley
• Kyle Edwards, Saint Augustine High School, Harvey
• Jarica Garner, Zachary High School, Baton Rouge
• Carl Harrison, De La Salle High School, New Orleans
• Kari Heideman, Covington High School, Franklinton
• Carderius Johnson, C.E. Byrd High School, Shreveport
• Samuel Jones, Bastrop High School, Bastrop
• Joshua LeJeune, Iota High School, Iota
• Ashton Martin, H.L. Bourgeois High School, Gibson
• Shannon Miller, South Beauregard High School, Ragley
• Tiffany Minick, Eunice High School, Lawtell
• Goldmon Moore, Bastrop High School, Bastrop
• Kate Morris, Academy of Our Lady, Arabi
• Abedalhadi Mousa, Grace King High School, Metairie
• Truc Ngo, Erath High School, Erath
• Peter Nguyen, L W Higgins High School, Marrero
• Crystal Rathore, Academy of Our Lady, Marrero
• Fred Reed, Lake Providence Sr High School, Lake Providence
• Kobi Richard, South Cameron High School, Cameron
• Cyrell Roberson, Baton Rouge Magnet High School, Baton Rouge
• Samuel Smith, East Jefferson High School, Kenner
• Victoria Steadman, Parkway High School, Bossier City
• Dylan Stitzlein, Sulphur High School, Sulphur
• Asia Thompson, Epps High School, Epps
• Chandelle Toups, Hackberry High School, Hackberry
• Sara Trahan, Lafayette High School, Lafayette
• Natalie Tran, West Jefferson High School, New Orleans
• Stephen Vicknair, East Saint John High School, LaPlace
• Steven Vige, South Beauregard High School, Longville
• Mai Vu, Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy, Westwego
• Krista West, South Beauregard High School, Longville
• Keon Wimberly, Carroll High School, Monroe
• Craig Young, Catholic High School, Greenwell Springs

Scholars are encouraged to remain connected with the association throughout their lives and become active members of the Horatio Alger alumni group.

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 awards nearly $7 million annually in college scholarships and has given more than $63 million to deserving students since 1984. The association is a 2008-2009 Combined Federal Campaign participant. For more information, please visit www.horatioalger.org.

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