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Qorvis Communications
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Horatio Alger Association Announces $135,000 in North Dakota Scholarships Provided by the BNSF Foundation
27 Teens Rewarded in 2011 for Overcoming Adversity

WASHINGTON, April 26, 2011 – The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans is pleased to announce that it has awarded $135K in college scholarships to 27 high school students in North Dakota. The scholarships are made possible by the BNSF Foundation, which has supported North Dakota with scholarships through the Horatio Alger Association for six years.

“We are proud to present the deserving scholars from North Dakota, who have persevered through great adversities, with a scholarship that will help them find continued success,” said Terrence J. Giroux, executive director of the Horatio Alger Association. “We are grateful for the BNSF Foundation for their continued and generous support.”

Each scholar will receive $5,000 to assist in funding their college education. The students were selected for the Horatio Alger North Dakota State Scholarship because they have faced and overcome great obstacles in their lives while demonstrating excellence in academics, admirable character and a desire to contribute to society.

The Horatio Alger State Scholarship Programs range from $2,500 to $10,500 and are sponsored by Horatio Alger members and friends. The state scholarships are now offered in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. In 2011, the programs are awarding more than 839 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 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 North Dakota recipients are:

• Mercedes A. Crissler of Saint John High School, Belcourt
• Mary E. DeJong of West Fargo High School, West Fargo
• Colleen C. Finley of Bishop Ryan High School, Minot
• Katie E. Hagen of Williston High School, Epping
• Laqcricia N. Hodges of Wishek Public School, Wishek
• Stephen J. Horgan of Saint Marys Central High School, Bismarck
• James L. Jacobson of Central Cass High School, Casselton
• Erika D. Ketterling of Ellendale Public High School, Ellendale
• Josie L. Klein of Rugby High School, Rugby
• Kelsy A. Knudsvig-Rick of Milnor High School, Milnor
• Michelle L. Kuntz of Drake High School, Drake
• John Labuhn of Ellendale Public High School, Ellendale
• Amy R. Lee of Turtle Lake-Mercer High School, Mercer
• Matthew G. Magnuson of Bishop Ryan High School, Minot
• Hope B. Pearson of West Fargo High School, West Fargo
• Cherae C. Reeves of West Fargo High School, West Fargo
• Raina D. Rodenbiker of North Star High School, Cando
• Devin M. Roehrich-Cherenzia of Strasburg High School, Strasburg
• Britney L. Rowell of Red River Senior High School, Grand Forks
• Eric P. Schauer of Wilton High School, Wilton
• Katelyn M. Schirado of Glen Ullin High School, Glen Ullin
• Lexee Steffan of Dickinson High School, Dickinson
• Josh T. Stutrud of Rugby High School, Barton
• Jarad M. Syrstad of Thompson Public School, Thompson
• Elizabeth Taylor of Edgeley High School, Edgeley
• Amy Tran of West Fargo High School, West Fargo
• Shelby L. Webb of North Central High School, Sanborn

To view the complete list of Horatio Alger scholars and members, visit our Web site 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. 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   

About the BNSF Foundation:
The BNSF Foundation donates about $1 million annually to education programs, with nearly half of that going to scholarships. The mission of the Foundation is to support and improve the general welfare and quality of life in communities served by BNSF Railway and has been a main vehicle for charitable giving from and before the 1996 merger of the Burlington Northern and the Santa Fe railroads to form The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company, now known as BNSF Railway Company. The BNSF Foundation is a Texas non-profit corporation located in Fort Worth.

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