Horatio Alger Award Honors Chestnut Hill Entrepreneur James J. McGuire Sr. and Three National Scholarship Recipients from Pennsylvania

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 9, 2015

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McKenna Young
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Horatio Alger Association Honors Chestnut Hill Entrepreneur James J. Maguire Sr. and Three National Scholarship Recipients from Pennsylvania

James J. Maguire Sr. and the Scholars are recognized by the Association for their remarkable achievements in the face of adversity and their commitment to higher education

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 9, 2015) – 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 Pennsylvania resident James J. Maguire Sr., founder and chairman emeritus of Philadelphia Insurance Companies and president of the Maguire Foundation, as a lifetime Member in April. Concurrently, three outstanding Pennsylvania students will be awarded the prestigious Horatio Alger National Scholarship. Association Members and Scholars are selected based on their integrity and determination to succeed in the face of significant adversity, and Members often become 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 facing significant personal challenges and who demonstrate initiative, resilience and excellence, such as Mr. Maguire, are inducted into the Association annually as lifetime Members.

“Mr. Maguire’s story exemplifies the values of the Association,” said David Sokol, chairman of Horatio Alger Association. “Although he struggled with academics, his desire to obtain a college degree never wavered. He later founded a successful insurance agency and today leads his own foundation, which has donated millions of dollars to those in need. Mr. Maguire’s commitment to both education and to philanthropy makes him an ideal candidate for membership in the Association, and we could not be more pleased to officially welcome him.”

Since 1984, Horatio Alger Association has administered one of the nation’s largest privately funded, needbased scholarship programs, which provides educational assistance to at-risk youth with an admirable commitment to continuing their education and serving their communities. The Association has provided more than $100 million in undergraduate, graduate and specialized scholarships since 1984. The following students from Pennsylvania have been recognized for their exceptional accomplishments with the 2015 Horatio Alger National Scholarship in the amount of $22,000:
– Daniel Christenson, Pocono Mountain High School, Swiftwater, PA
– Emily McMichael, Shippensburg Area Senior High School, Shippensburg, PA
– Maverick Robinson, Newport High School, Newport, PA

“Horatio Alger Association is built on the principle that one can turn struggle into success through hard work and perseverance,” said Tony Novelly, president and CEO of Horatio Alger Association. “The 2015 National Scholars from Pennsylvania are proof that if you believe in yourself, you can overcome all odds. We are
proud to support these young men and women as they continue their education and strive to achieve their own versions of the American Dream.”

Mr. Maguire and his fellow new Members will be formally inducted into the Association at the 68th Horatio Alger Award Induction Ceremonies in Washington, D.C. on April 9-11, 2015. The annual three-day event honors the achievements of the Members and also recognizes the 2015 Horatio Alger National Scholars, affording both groups the opportunity to meet and interact, exchanging stories of hardships, triumphs and successes.

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About Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans:
Founded in 1947, the 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.