MONTREAL, Feb. 17, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - The Horatio Alger Association of Canada is proud to announce that students in British Columbia 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.
Jim Pattison, a Member of the Horatio Alger Association since 2004 and in whose name the British Columbia scholarships are awarded, congratulated this year's winners.
"We have an incredible group of scholars this year," Mr. Pattison said. "These young people have worked hard and persevered through difficulty. It is a privilege to be associated with these outstanding young Canadians."
This year's winners are:
Parm Gill, Abbotsford Collegiate, Abbotsford
Emerveer Khosa, Similkameen Elementary Secondary School, Cawston
Juliana E. Bartemucci, Highland Secondary School, Courtenay
Kennedy N. Ledingham, Mark R. Isfeld Secondary School, Courtenay
Prunveer Palia, Delview Secondary School, Delta
William J. Shelling, South Delta Secondary School, Delta
Angela A. Ippolito, Beattie School of the Arts, Kamloops
Jessica M. Flechner-Klein, Kelowna Christian School, Kelowna
Xingyuan (Catherine) Tu, R.E. Mountain Secondary School, Langley
Elizabeth N. Vagner, Gleneagle Secondary School, Port Moody
Mahika R. Phutane, Richmond Secondary School, Richmond
Noah S. Verheyen, Hugh Boyd Secondary School, Richmond
Khaola Maher, Fleetwood Park Secondary School, Surrey
Simran S. Saroya, L.A. Matheson Secondary School, Surrey
Jason A. Smith, Vancouver Technical Secondary School, Vancouver
Jontaya T. Mayer, Mount Boucherie Secondary School, West Kelowna
Ariel S. Zacharias, Lake City Secondary School, Williams Lake
The Association received nearly 3,500 applications in the four provinces in which it currently conducts scholarship programs. Applicant profiles confirmed the need for these needs-based scholarships. The average annual family income of recipients was $18,961; 64% had experienced death, incarceration or abandonment of a parent or guardian, and 28% had been physically and/or mentally abused. At the same time, recipients had an average high school grade of 87%; 86% had been involved in community service activities, and 61% worked during the school year.
"This year's scholarship winners are an outstanding group of students who prove that hard work can overcome any obstacle," said Dominic D'Alessandro, President of the Horatio Alger Association of Canada. "It is with great pride that the Association helps these future leaders achieve their academic goals."
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 Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia with plans to expand nationally in 2015. Members of the Association include Dominic D'Alessandro, 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 Murray Edwards. Serge Godin will be inducted as the newest Canadian Association Member in April 2015. For more information, visit www.horatioalger.ca.
SOURCE Horatio Alger Association of Canada
Image with caption: "Horatio Alger Association of Canada (CNW Group/Horatio Alger Association of Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150217_C5463_PHOTO_EN_12215.jpg
Adam Daifallah, HATLEY Strategy Advisors, 514.316.7089, [email protected]
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