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Fifty Georgia Students Awarded Prestigious Horatio Alger State Scholarship
O. Wayne Rollins Foundation Provides $5,000 Scholarships to Teens for Overcoming Adversity

WASHINGTON, October 9, 2009 – The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans is pleased to announce that it has awarded scholarships to 50 deserving high school students in Georgia. Each scholar will receive $5,000 to assist in funding their college education. The students were selected for the Horatio Alger Georgia State Scholarship because they persevered in overcoming adversity while also demonstrating excellence in academics, admirable character and community contributions.

“The Georgia 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.

The Georgia scholarships are made possible by the O. Wayne Rollins Foundation.

“We are indebted to the contributions of the O. Wayne Rollins Foundation,” Sokol added. “They are truly stewards of the Horatio Alger mission. Their support enables us to continue to offer young people access to a brighter future through higher education.”

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 Georgia recipients are:

• Christa A. Rampley, Woodland High School, Acworth
• Euteevia N. Scott, B.E. Mays High School, Atlanta
• Taylor-Marie Morgan, Davidson Fine Arts School, Augusta
• Bianca M. Robinson, Augustus R Johnson Health, Augusta
• Iesha R. Upshaw, Augustus R Johnson Health, Augusta
• Tara R. Clance, Gordon Central High School, Calhoun
• Kimberly C. Crawford, Calhoun High School, Calhoun
• Justin G. Lindsey, Calhoun High School, Calhoun
• Rosario M. Reyna, Sonoraville High School, Calhoun
• Nicole L. Ridley, Calhoun High School, Calhoun
• Kasey L. Smith, Sonoraville High School, Calhoun
• Kayla N. Garnigan, Cartersville High School, Cartersville
• Zachary C. Pinkard, Cartersville High School, Cartersville
• Bobby L. Turner, Woodland High School, Cartersville
• Kayla M. Welchel, Cass Comprehensive High School, Cartersville
• Tiffany Walker, Ridgeland High School, Chickamauga
• Jamal J. Payette, White County High School, Cleveland
• Tori L. Thomas, Hardaway High School, Columbus
• Kiana R. Cofield, Newton High School, Covington
• Steven L. Cole, Alcovy High School, Covington
• Tequilla M. Gray, Alcovy High School, Covington
• Kasey L. Haessler, Mill Creek High School, Dacula
• Stephanie J. You, Dalton High School, Dalton
• Justin G. Finch, Ridgeland High School, Flintstone
• Miracle S. Wingate, Bradwell Institute, Hinesville
• Kevin S. Cain, Pickens High School, Jasper
• Logan S. Elliott, La Fayette High School, La Fayette
• D'Arlous S. Madden, La Fayette High School, LaFayette
• Mollie V. Parker, La Fayette High School, LaFayette
• Dashonda M. Haygood, Peachtree Ridge High School, Lawrenceville
• Nicholas E. Bowden, Dade County High School, Lookout Mountain
• Crystal M. Dyson, Ware County High School, Millwood
• Christopher O. James, Jonesboro High School, Rex
• Justin L. Cummings, Ringgold High School, Ringgold
• Alex B. Miller, Lakeview Fort Oglethorpe High School, Ringgold
• Bridgette Buffington, Armuchee High School, Rome
• Linh Ho, Coosa High School, Rome
• Katherine L. Miller, Pepperell High School, Rome
• Cedrica E. Spivey, Darlington School, Rome
• Joshua R. Garcia, Ridgeland High School, Rossville
• Ashley E. Gross, Lakeview Fort Oglethorpe High School, Rossville
• Kevin C. O'Toole, La Fayette High School, Rossville
• Kendra H. Veal, Ridgeland High School, Rossville
• Delaina C. Whittington, Ridgeland High School, Rossville
• Joseph P. Karcher, Benedictine Military School, Savannah
• Dayshea A. Wooden, South Gwinnett High School, Snellville
• Kayla N. Moss, Parkview High School, Stone Mountain
• Kelly M. Jones, Dade County High School, Trenton
• Robert E. Waller, Dade County High School, Trenton
• Lauren N. Wildman, Dade County High School, Trenton

The deadline for submitting applications for the 2009 Horatio Alger National and State Scholarship Programs is Friday, October 30, 2009. Students from all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, are encouraged to apply. An online application can be found at http://www.horatioalger.com/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 awards nearly $7 million annually in college scholarships and has given more than $63 million to deserving students since 1984. The association is a 2009 Combined Federal Campaign participant, ID# 77062. For more information, please visit www.horatioalger.org.

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