Horatio Alger Association of Canada Announces National Scholarship Expansion

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 19, 2015

CONTACTS:
Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans
McKenna Young
484-385-2913
[email protected]
Horatio Alger Association of Canada
Adam Daifallah
514-316-7089
[email protected]

Horatio Alger Association of Canada Announces National Scholarship Expansion

Association Members The Right Honorable Brian Mulroney, Rebecca MacDonald, Isadore Sharp, Prem Watsa and Rick Waugh on hand to announce $10 million fund

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 19, 2015) – Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. and Horatio Alger Association of Canada today announced a national expansion of the Canadian scholarship program with a new $10 million endowment available to high school students in all Canadian provinces and territories. The American and Canadian Association counterparts are nonprofit organizations dedicated to education and the belief that hard work, honesty and determination can conquer all obstacles.

The Right Honorable Brian Mulroney, Prime Minister of Canada from 1984-1993 and Vice President of the Association’s Board of Directors, spoke during today’s press conference in Toronto, Ontario about the expansion.

“Every year, I have the privilege of learning about the life stories that our scholarship applicants submit,” said Mr. Mulroney, Vice President of the Canadian Association’s Board of Directors. “It warms my heart to see these bright students who, despite hardship, despite roadblocks, demonstrate a ‘can-do’ attitude and strive for success. These students are the future and I have never been more optimistic that our country is in good hands.”

Since 2009, the Horatio Alger Association of Canada has offered scholarships to full-time Canadian high school students in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia who have a critical financial need and have demonstrated integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity, as well as strength of character, a good academic record, a commitment to pursue higher education, and a desire to contribute to society.

In that time, more than $1 million in scholarships have been awarded to over 200 deserving young Canadians.

Now, hard-working students in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador,Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut will have the opportunity to apply for 130 Horatio Alger scholarships each year of up to $10,000.

As of today, Horatio Alger Canadian Scholarships valued at $5,000 will be awarded to 80 young Canadians annually to study at a post-secondary institution of their choosing.

In addition, the top five applicants from across Canada each year will be awarded the Horatio Alger Canadian National Scholarship. These five students will win a scholarship valued at $10,000, which is reserved for outstanding applicants who are planning to pursue a business-related degree or have expressed a commitment to following an entrepreneurial career. These students will also be invited to Washington, D.C. during the spring of their final year in high school to participate in the Horatio Alger National Scholars Conference, joining American winners of the Horatio Alger scholarships.

“I know that I speak on behalf the entire Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans when I express my excitement and sense of pride for the Canadian scholarship expansion,” said Tony Novelly, president and CEO, Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans and 2000 Horatio Alger Award recipient. “I could not be prouder to see the success of the Association continue and grow in Canada. Our Scholars have an unwavering commitment to pursue higher education and give back to their communities. We are proud to recognize such deserving students throughout the United States and Canada, and look forward to the successes of these future leaders.”

The Association is named for renowned author Horatio Alger, Jr., who wrote about the merits of honesty, courage and perseverance as the means to success. His stories pushed the idea that social mobility comes through hard work, and it enables what came to be called “rags to riches”.

The Canadian application process for the 2016 scholarships will open on August 1, 2015. Students wishing to apply will be able to do so at www.horatioalger.ca. For additional information about the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans and the scholarship application process in the United States, please visit www.horatioalger.org.

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About Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans:
Founded in 1947, Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. fulfills its mission of honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals who have succeeded in spite of adversity and of encouraging young people to pursue their dreams through higher education. Horatio Alger Association supports students through annual undergraduate and graduate need-based scholarships and mentoring programs across the United States and Canada. Since 1984, the Association has awarded more than $100 million in college scholarships to deserving young people. For more information, please visit www.horatioalger.org.

About the Horatio Alger Association of Canada:
The Horatio Alger Association of Canada, the Canadian affiliate of the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc., is a charitable organization dedicated to education and to the simple but powerful belief that hard work, honesty and determination can conquer all obstacles. The Association hounors the achievements of outstanding individuals in our society who have succeeded in spite of adversity and who encourage young people to pursue their dreams through higher education. The Horatio Alger Association of Canada awards scholarships annually to deserving young people in every Canadian province and territory. Members of the Association include Dominic D’Alessandro, Murray Edwards, David Foster, Wayne Gretzky, Rebecca MacDonald, the late G. Wallace F. McCain, The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, Jim Pattison, Isadore Sharp, Prem Watsa, Rick Waugh, and Serge Godin. For more information, visit www.horatioalger.ca.