Contact: Horatio Alger Association
(301) 392-6053

Life's Hardships Yield Special Scholarships For 100 California High School Seniors

May 2, 2006/Washington, D.C. - Poverty, disability, foster care, parental substance abuse, and physical abuse are among the adversities that could not prevent one hundred outstanding high school seniors from throughout California from wanting to live out their American dream and have more for themselves. Each is now the recipient of a 2006 Horatio Alger California Scholarship of two thousand five hundred dollars for their college education. (A complete list of the 2006 Horatio Alger California Scholars immediately follows this release).

The 2006 Horatio Alger California Scholars provide an inspiring example of California's youth, having already demonstrated a drive to accomplish their goals, even in the face of adversity. These students have utilized initiative, perseverance and hard work to overcome the adversity they have faced in their lives.

All of the 2006 Horatio Alger California Scholars have demonstrated success in academics, co-curricular activities and community service while taking on some of life's most difficult challenges. Each of these young people possess the aspirations and potential to make important contributions in California and throughout the world. The scholarship may be used to attend any college or university within the United States.

Arthur A. Ciocca is Chairman, CEO & Owner of The Wine Group, Inc. Mr. Ciocca is a Member of the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans Inc., an organization comprised of Americans who have overcome adversity and humble beginnings to achieve success. This is the fourth year of the program that has helped over six hundred young people pay for college.

"No child should be denied access to a higher education because of financial need. This program will provide the incredible young people here in California with the opportunity to achieve their goals by making a college education attainable for them", states Arthur A. Ciocca. Since 1984 the Horatio Alger Association's need based scholarship programs have helped hundreds of deserving students across the nation pursue their dreams of a post secondary education through their unique scholarships that recognize the circumstances and hardships of students as well as their achievements. Mr. Ciocca adds, "The Horatio Alger Association's experience working with students of limited financial means who want to obtain a college education is unmatched."

The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans is a nonprofit educational association. Through the generosity of its members, more than $8.5 million in need-based college scholarships will be awarded this year to young people nationwide. For more information about the Association's scholarships and programs please visit www.horatioalger.org.

Applications for consideration as a 2007 Horatio Alger California Scholar are available June 1 through October 15, 2006 at www.horatioalger.org/scholarships.

2006 California Scholarship Winners

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