FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 11, 2016

CONTACT:
McKenna Young
484-385-2913 (office)
[email protected]

Horatio Alger Association Honors Washington, D.C. Entrepreneur Linda Rabbitt and One National Scholarship Recipient from the Capital

Linda Rabbitt and D.C. Scholar, Merhawi Huwarhek, are recognized by the Association for their remarkable achievements in the face of adversity and their commitment to higher education

WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 11, 2016) – Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc., a nonprofit educational organization honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals and encouraging youth to pursue their dreams through higher education, will induct Washington, D.C., resident Linda Rabbitt, founder, chairman and CEO, rand* construction corporation, as a lifetime Member at the annual Horatio Alger Award Induction Ceremonies in spring 2016. Concurrently, one outstanding Washington, D.C., high school student will be awarded the prestigious Horatio Alger National Scholarship. Association Members and Scholars are selected based on their commitment to higher education and determination to succeed in the face of significant adversity. Members serve as mentors to this future generation of leaders.

Named for renowned author Horatio Alger Jr., who wrote about the merits of honesty, courage and perseverance as the means to success, Horatio Alger Association was established in 1947 to uphold these tenets, which are core to achieving the American Dream. To further its mission, individuals who have achieved great success despite difficult personal challenges and who also demonstrate initiative, resilience and excellence, such as Ms. Rabbitt, are annually inducted into the Association as lifetime Members.

“My fellow Members and I could not be more delighted to welcome Ms. Rabbitt as a Member of the Association,” said Byron Trott, president and CEO, Horatio Alger Association. “Having overcome significant challenges herself, Ms. Rabbitt is dedicated to giving back to younger generations and inspiring others – both personally and professionally. She deeply understands the importance of strong role models and her personal story of resilience will surely resonate with our Scholars.”

Since 1984, Horatio Alger Association has administered one of the nation’s largest privately funded, need-based scholarship programs, which provides educational assistance to promising students with an admirable commitment to continuing their education and serving their communities. The Association has provided more than $125 million in undergraduate, graduate and specialized scholarships in just over 30 years. The following student from Washington, D.C., has been recognized for his exceptional accomplishments with the 2016 Horatio Alger National Scholarship in the amount of $22,000:

• Merhawi Huwarhek, Cardozo Education Campus, Washington, D.C.

“Horatio Alger Association recognizes Scholars for their commitment to education and their remarkable achievements in the face of adversity,” said Tony Novelly, chairman, Horatio Alger Association. “The Scholar from Washington, D.C., certainly embodies these qualities – as do all of our 2016 recipients. Their challenging circumstances motivate them to push harder to reach their goals. The Association is proud to support these students in their pursuit of higher education, and hopes that the financial assistance and mentorship they receive will ensure that each one has a bright future.”

Ms. Rabbitt and her fellow new Members will be formally inducted into the Association at the 69th Horatio Alger Award Induction Ceremonies in Washington, D.C., from March 31-April 2, 2016. The annual three-day event honors the achievements of the Members and also recognizes the 2016 Horatio Alger National Scholars, affording both groups the opportunity to meet and interact, exchanging stories of hardships, triumphs and successes. The National Scholarship Program is wholly funded through private donations from Association Members, Life Partners and Friends.

To view the complete list of Horatio Alger Members selected for the Class of 2016, please click here.

To view the complete list of 2016 Horatio Alger National Scholarship recipients, please click here.

 ###

 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, the Association awards more than $11 million annually in undergraduate and graduate need-based scholarships across the United States and Canada and provides college support and mentoring services to its Scholars. Since 1984, the Association has awarded more than $125 million in college scholarships to more than 22,000 deserving young people. For more information, please visit www.horatioalger.org.