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Fifty Pennsylvania Students Awarded Prestigious Horatio Alger State Scholarship
Joseph and Jeanette Neubauer of the Neubauer Family Foundation Provide $5,000 Scholarships to Teens for Overcoming Adversity

Washington, D.C. (May 29, 2008) – The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans is pleased to announce that it has awarded 50 scholarships to deserving high school students in Pennsylvania. Each Scholar will receive $5,000 to fund their college education. The state honorees were selected for the Horatio Alger State Scholarship Program because they made academics a priority while facing and overcoming great obstacles in their young lives.

Horatio Alger Association Immediate Past Chairman Dennis R. Washington said, “We are proud to present this award to the students of Pennsylvania who have demonstrated integrity and determination despite significant challenges. We envision great futures for these teens.”

The State Scholarship Programs, ranging from $2,500 to $10,500, are sponsored by Horatio Alger Members and friends of the Association. In 2008, the program awarded more than 900 scholarships to students throughout the country.

The Pennsylvania scholarships are made possible by Joseph and Jeanette Neubauer of the Neubauer Family Foundation, who have supported Pennsylvania students with scholarships through the Horatio Alger Association since 2003. Joseph Neubauer currently serves as Horatio Alger Association Chairman.

“With the help of Joseph and Jeanette Neubauer of the Neubauer Family Foundation, more young people will have a real chance at success beginning with a higher education,” Washington added.

Horatio Alger Scholars are provided with numerous resources to help them succeed while they are in college. Each student receives:

• Financial aid guidance to assist in 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 2008 Pennsylvania recipients are:

• Tashauna T. Bagby of Philadelphia, Central High School
• Brandee C. Blocker of Philadelphia, Girard College
• Brianna L. Bonds of Bethel Park, Bethel Park Senior High School
• Abby J. Buettner of Pittsburgh, The Neighborhood Academy
• Hannah R. Cargill of Lancaster, Manheim Township High School
• Anam H. Chaudhry of Philadelphia, Central High School
• Katie E. Commender of Reading, Exeter Township Sr High School
• Francesca Edgington-Giordano of Montrose, Montrose Area Jr-Sr High School
• Francesca G. Farrisi of Bernville, Tulpehocken High School
• Kayleigh S. Foster of Franklin, Franklin Area Sr. High School
• Kara Freeman of Philadelphia, Girard College
• Laura L. Gamari of Hershey, Milton Hershey School
• Danyel D. Gaymon-Sweet of Philadelphia, GW Carver High School
• Rysheeda D. Goosby of Philadelphia, GW Carver High School
• Abria J. Hairston of Monessen, Monessen High School
• Kristie L. Hartz of Allentown, William Allen High School
• Latasha R. Henderson of Steelton, Stellton-Highspire Jr-Sr. High School
• Soe J. Joh of Abington, Abington Senior High School
• Maurice Judge of Philadelphia, Central High School
• Maulik H. Kadakia of Philadelphia, Northeast High School
• Jason M. Kohn of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Mennonite High School
• Crystal M. Lajara of Philadelphia, Edison-Fareira High School
• Mary Anne  Lerro of Huntingdon Valley, Lower Moreland High School
• Nikole D. LoBoi of Johnstown, Bishop Mccort High School
• Amanda  R. Maust of Berlin, Berlin Brothers Valley High School
• Stephanie A. Mitchell of Philadelphia, Murrell Dobbins Area Voc-Tech
• Ryan P. Moraski of  Robesonia, Conrad Weiser Area High School
• Michael  N. Morrison of Philadelphia, G W Carver High School
• Jennifer M. Murphy of Charleroi, Charleroi Area High School
• Theresa D. Myers of Coatesville, Coatesville Area Sr High School
• Nandi D. Nelson of Pittsburgh, Schenley High School
• Krysta M. O'Connor of Slatington, Northern Lehigh High School
• Shonnamarie Partlow of Pittsburgh, Northside Urban Pathways Charter
• Conthisa L. Patterson of Philadelphia, Murrell Dobbins Area Voc-tech
• Heather D. Pulver of Burgettstown, Burgettstown Area Jr-Sr High School
• Ammina J. Reed of Philadelphia, Central High School
• Trey A. Ritzman of Millerstown, Greenwood High School
• Phillip M. Rose of Ligonier, Ligonier Valley High School
• Gina Ruiz of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg Area High School South
• Jasmine Rushum of Philadelphia, G W Carver High School
• Anthony K. Shatley of Port Allegany, Port Allegany Jr-Sr High School
• Kiesha S. Shorter of Philadelphia, Mathematics, Civics, and Sciences Charter School
• Emily E. Taft of Port Allegany, Port Allegany Jr-Sr High School
• Chantel A. Thompson of Philadelphia, G W Carver High School
• Vanessa M. Vega of Philadelphia, Kensington CAPA High School
• Ashley N. Vincent of Philadelphia, Philadelphia High School Girls
• Gary L. Wagers of Tioga, Williamson Jr-Sr High School
• Darlene A. Washington of Philadelphia, Philadelphia High School Girls
• Carmen L. Weaver of Elizabethville, Upper Dauphin Area High School
• Sean G. Zhuraw of Philadelphia, High School Creative Performing Arts

Scholars are encouraged to remain connected with the Association throughout their lifetime.

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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