Horatio Alger Association of Canada announces Quebec scholarship winners

MONTREAL, March 19, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - The Horatio Alger Association of Canada is pleased to announce that 18 Quebec students have been awarded $5,000 scholarships as part of the first -ever cohort of Horatio Alger Quebec Scholarship Program winners.

The Association offers university scholarships to full-time CÉGEP students in Quebec 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 a university education, and a desire to contribute to society.

"We are so pleased to help deserving Quebec students earn a post-secondary education for the first time this year," said Dominic D'Alessandro, the President of the Horatio Alger Association of Canada. "These students have demonstrated great courage and resolve in the face of difficult circumstances, and it is an honour for the Association to support them."

This year's winners are:

Sonia Abdullah, Champlain Regional College - St. Lambert Campus, Saint-Lambert
Nida Ashraf, John Abbott College, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue
Marie-Pier Banville, Collège Édouard Montpetit, Longueuil
Pauline Belliveau, Marianopolis College, Westmount
Sébastien Boucher, Cégep André-Laurendeau, Montreal
Brandon Colwell, Marianopolis College, Westmount
Diane Daigle, Collège Ellis - Campus de Drummondville, Drummondville
Anne G. Frazer-McKee, John Abbott College, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue
David Garand, Marianopolis College, Westmount
Farhan S. Khan, Marianopolis College, Westmount
Elise K. Kovac, Vanier College, Montreal
Nicholas J. Matte, John Abbott College, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue
Sade Mowatt, Dawson College, Montreal
Raphaëlle A. Paradis-Lavallée, Cégep de St-Hyacinthe, Saint-Hyacinthe
Felicia R. Rooney-Collin, Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles, Gaspé
Tommy Salerno, Collège Édouard Montpetit, Longueuil
Raluca Ticala, Collège Édouard Montpetit, Longueuil
Esther Toledano, Dawson College, Montreal

The Association received 183 applications for its Quebec Scholarship Program. Applicant profiles demonstrated the critical need for needs-based scholarships. The average annual family income of applicants was $17,690; 39% had experienced death, incarceration or abandonment of a parent or guardian, and 22% had a parent or guardian who has abused drugs and/or alcohol. At the same time, applicants had an average R-score of 29.6; 77% had been involved in community service activities, and 88% worked during the school year.

"The numbers show that despite the odds and obstacles, these students are determined to succeed. They are Quebec's future leaders," added Mr. D'Alessandro.

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 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]