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Fifty Arizona Students Awarded Prestigious Horatio Alger State Scholarship
Suzanne and Walter Scott Foundation Provides $250,000 to Fund Scholarships for Teens that Overcame Adversity

WASHINGTON, May 12, 2009 – The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans is pleased to announce that it has awarded scholarships to 50 deserving high school students in Arizona. Each scholar will receive $5,000 to assist in funding their college education. The students were selected for the Horatio Alger Arizona State Scholarship because they persevered in overcoming adversity while also demonstrating excellence in academics, admirable character and community contributions.

“The Arizona 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 Arizona scholarships are made possible by the Suzanne and Walter Scott Foundation.

“We are indebted to the contributions of the Suzanne and Walter Scott 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 Arizona recipients are:

• Alexus K. Swindler of Anthem, Boulder Creek High School
• Maribel Rodriguez of Avondale, Agua Fria High School
• Cosme J. Madrid of Avondale, Trevor G Browne High School
• Brandi N. Rourke of Bowie, San Simon High School
• Andrea B. Aguirre of Casa Grande, Casa Grande Union High School
• Abigail Pacheco of Chandler, Hamilton High School
• Nidhi Arora of Chandler, Chandler High School
• Tandace Nassiri of Chandler, Mesquite High School
• Zacheriah J. Berger-Fauth of Chino Valley, Chino Valley High School
• Tabor M. Lewis of Florence, Hamilton High School
• Sophie I. Aigner of Gilbert, Highland High School
• Tsui-Ying Connie Lan of Gilbert, Mesquite High School
• Morgan G. Tully of Gilbert, Gilbert High School
• Henrietta M. Walthers of Glendale, Ironwood High School
• Safaria F. Abugour of Glendale, Independence High School
• Renee A. Latham of Glendale, Deer Valley High School
• Miah Laino of Huachuca City, Buena High School
• Luserito Gaytan of Kingman, Kingman High School
• Amanda L. Roundy of Litchfield Park, Millennium High School
• Christian I. Ramirez of Mesa, Westwood High School
• Scott A. West of Mesa, Westwood High School
• Lauren A. Thomen of Mesa, Westwood High School
• Lysandra D. Frey of Mesa, Skyline High School
• Marissa F. Inzunza of Mesa, Highland High School
• Gloria Trejo of Phoenix, Carl Hayden High School
• Cassidy Pattik, of Phoenix, Paradise Valley High School
• Shytaun B. Bess of Phoenix, South Mountain High School
• Ambra S. Jordan of Phoenix, South Mountain High School
• Christel Y. Guntermann of Phoenix, Arizona School for the Arts
• Kayla L. Post of Phoenix, Thunderbird High School
• Guadalupe Martinez Jr. of Phoenix, Trevor G. Browne High School
• Guillermo C. Sanchez of Phoenix, Carl Hayden High School
• Fabian Gomez of San Luis, San Luis High School
• Dovell Toback of Scottsdale, Jess Schwartz Jewish Community High School
• Adam C. Szajman of Scottsdale, Horizon High School
• Zachary A. Snader of Scottsdale, Desert Eagle Secondary School
• Bridgette M. Leon of  Sierra Vista, Buena High School
• Paige Sonke of Sunsites, Valley Union High School
• Mariah R. Hoffman of Tempe, Marcos De Niza High School
• Brittney C. Pennick of Tempe, Marcos De Niza High School
• Kevin Lee of Tucson, University High School
• Carolina Munguia of Tucson, University High School
• Mirely A. Baca of Tucson, Sabino High School
• Laurelinda L. Larkins of Tucson, Pusch Ridge Christian Academy
• Gabriel J. Zelaya of Tucson, Salpointe Catholic High School
• Caroline Coppinger of Tucson, Saguaro High School
• Savannah A. Verdugo ofTucson, Canyon Del Oro High School
• Mayra Guzman of Willcox, Willcox High School
• Emily E. Hayes of Williams, Grand Canyon High School
• Teeghyn A. Lowry of Winslow, Winslow High School

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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