Horatio Alger Association of Canada announces Jim Pattison British Columbia Scholarship Program winners

MONTREAL, March 12, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - The Horatio Alger Association of Canada is pleased to announce that 20 British Columbia students have been awarded $5,000 scholarships as part of the Horatio Alger Jim Pattison British Columbia Scholarship Program.

The Association offers scholarships to full-time high school students in 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. This is the first year for the B.C. program.

"This year's winners are an exceptional group of motivated students who will shape the future of our country," said Dominic D'Alessandro, President of the Horatio Alger Association of Canada. "They are proof that with hard work and determination, anyone can overcome difficult circumstances. It is an honour for the Association to help these inspiring young leaders with their education."

This year's winners are:

Maisaloon N. Al-Ashkar, Moscrop Secondary School,Vancouver
Dunya Aziz, Byrne Creek Secondary School, Burnaby
Iman Baharmand, Riverside Secondary School, Port Coquitlam
Sierra K. Beattie, Moscrop Secondary School, Burnaby
Grace Change, Hugh Mcroberts Secondary School, Richmond
Kevin Chi, Palmer Secondary School, Richmond
Yu Hsuan Chou, Robert Bateman Secondary School, Abbotsford
Kerolos Daowd, Carson Graham Secondary School, North Vancouver
Keauna J. Dodd, Ladysmith Secondary School, Ladysmith
Amy Y. Du, Vancouver Tech Secondary School, Vancouver
Emanjot Gill, Tamanawis Secondary School, Surrey
Chance Q. Grant, Ballenas Secondary School, Coombs
Ali Kamali, Seycove Secondary School, North Vancouver
Monica C. Kunze, Hatzic Secondary School, Mission
Jialiang Li, Burnaby North Secondary School, Burnaby
Katina Nguyen, Gladstone Secondary School, Vancouver
Kathy P. Nguyen, Sir Charles Tupper Secondary School, Vancouver
Taejha E. O'Hearn, Beattie School of Arts, Kamloops
Bavneet K. Purewal, Tamanawis Secondary School, Surrey
Alexis S. Wells, Abbotsford Collegiate, Abbotsford

The Association received more than 3,600 applications in the four provinces in which it currently operates. Applicant profiles confirmed the need for these needs-based scholarships. The average annual family income of applicants was $17,783; 51% had experienced death, incarceration or abandonment of a parent or guardian, and 24% had been physically and/or mentally abused. At the same time, applicants had an average high school average of 87%; 100% had been involved in community service activities, and 55% worked during the school year.

"The numbers demonstrate the critical need for this type of scholarship," added Mr. D'Alessandro. "The Association is proud to play a small role in giving these students a hand up."

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 non-profit educational organization dedicated to the simple but powerful belief that hard work, honesty and determination can conquer all obstacles. The Association honours 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 currently awards scholarships annually to deserving young people in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec and will expand its scholarship giving across Canada by 2015.

SOURCE: Horatio Alger Association of Canada

Adam Daifallah, HATLEY Strategy Advisors, 514.316.7089 [email protected]