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Horatio Alger Association Commemorates 75th Anniversary at 2022 Horatio Alger Awards

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 26, 2022

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Carly Colombo
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Horatio Alger Association Commemorates 75th Anniversary at 2022 Horatio Alger Awards

16 New Members were inducted into the Association and 118 Scholars were recognized at the four-day event in Washington, D.C., which celebrated the continued presence of the American Dream

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 21, 2022) – Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc., a nonprofit educational organization honoring the achievements of remarkable individuals and encouraging youth to pursue their dreams through higher education, hosted its 75th Anniversary Horatio Alger Awards in Washington, D.C., from April 6-9, 2022. Thanks to the generosity of Horatio Alger Members, Life Partners, friends and more, this annual event raised important funds which will support the Association’s growing college and career and technical scholarship programs and Scholar support services.

The four-day celebration, which commemorated the Association’s 75th anniversary, saw its 2022 Horatio Alger Award recipients inducted as lifetime Members. Comprised of 16 esteemed corporate, civic and cultural leaders from across the United States and Canada, the New Member Class of 2022 has demonstrated determination and a strong work ethic in pursuit of personal and professional success. Events over the course of the week included a ceremony at the United States Supreme Court and a formal induction ceremony and dinner hosted by Horatio Alger Members Rob Lowe, Reba McEntire and Byron Pitts. Reba McEntire also performed a collection of her greatest hit songs. Other featured performers included 16-time Grammy Award winner and Horatio Alger Member David Foster; singer-songwriter Peter Hollens; vocal trio The Tenors; Broadway performer Betsy Wolfe; jazz harmonicist Frédéric Yonnet, actor and singer Katharine McPhee and singer Pia Toscano. A new event was also introduced at this year’s Awards at the National Cathedral, featuring a tribute to Association Members who passed away since the last Awards events in April 2019. The evening also included recognition of Tom Selleck as the 2022 Norman Vincent Peale Award recipient for his exceptional philanthropic contributions and his commitment to embodying the spirit of the Association through courage, tenacity and integrity in the face of great challenges.

The New Member Class of 2022 represents the Horatio Alger Association’s core values – perseverance, integrity and a commitment to excellence – and was honored with lifetime membership into the organization:

The 107 recipients of the 2021 Horatio Alger National Scholarship, valued at $25,000, and 11 recipients of the 2021 State Scholarship, valued at $10,000 were also honored at the Awards festivities. Now college freshmen, the students were selected their senior year of high school from thousands of applicants across the United States and are acknowledged for their unwavering commitment to continuing their education and serving their communities despite facing incredible adversities. These young men and women were recognized during events throughout the week and had multiple opportunities to interact with Horatio Alger Members, many of whom will serve as mentors as the Scholars continue higher education.

“I always leave the Horatio Alger Awards feeling inspired and invigorated by our Scholars who have faced many hardships throughout their young lives. This class had the additional burden of transitioning to college during the pandemic,” said James F. Dicke II, chairman, Horatio Alger Association and 2015 Horatio Alger Award recipient. “This year was especially memorable as we celebrate the Association’s 75th anniversary. The Awards events allow our Members and Scholars to build relationships, learn from one another, and connect through shared experiences. I am encouraged by the resilience I witnessed this past week and am reminded what an honor it is to be a part of this Association.”

Like Scholars, Members have also overcome significant life challenges to achieve success and serve as examples that the American Dream is alive and well. As part of the Association’s programming, Members actively advocate for Scholars in an effort to build the next generation of American leaders. Members and friends of the Association fully fund its scholarship programs and Scholar support services, making the Association the largest provider of privately funded, need-based scholarships in the United States and Canada. Since 1984, the Horatio Alger Association has awarded over $235 million to more than 35,000 students, affording them the opportunity to pursue a higher education. In 2022, the Association will distribute $17 million in need-based scholarships to more than 1,700 deserving, at-risk youth.

“These Awards are always a special time for our Association, but celebrating 75 years of carrying out the Horatio Alger Association’s mission is remarkable,” said Terrence J. Giroux, executive director of the Association. “We extend our deepest thanks to our Members, Life Partners, Scholars and friends for not only supporting this annual event, but for upholding and advancing our mission to help deserving young students pursue their dreams through higher education.”

To view the complete list of 2021 Horatio Alger National Scholarship recipients, please click here.

For more information about Horatio Alger Association, please visit www.horatioalger.org. To engage on social media, follow the organization on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using #HoratioAlgerAwards.

About Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans:
Founded in 1947, the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. is dedicated to the simple but powerful belief that hard work, honesty and determination can conquer all obstacles. The Association honors the achievements of outstanding leaders who have accomplished remarkable successes in spite of adversity by bestowing upon them the Horatio Alger Award and inducting them as lifetime Members. Horatio Alger Members support promising young people with the resources and confidence needed to overcome adversity in pursuit of their dreams through higher education. Through the generosity of its Members and friends, in 2022, the Association is expected to award more than $17 million in undergraduate and graduate need-based scholarships to over 1,700 students across the United States and Canada, and provide college support and mentoring services to its Scholars. Since 1984, the Association has awarded more than $235 million in undergraduate, graduate, military veteran and career and technical education scholarships to more than 35,000 deserving students. For more information, please visit  www.horatioalger.org.