Horatio Alger Association of Canada announces Rt. Hon. Brian Mulroney Quebec Scholarship Program scholarship winners

MONTREAL, March 12, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - The Horatio Alger Association of Canada is pleased to announce that 20 Quebec students have been awarded $5,000 scholarships as part of the Horatio Alger Rt. Hon. Brian Mulroney Quebec Scholarship Program.

The Association offers scholarships to full-time high school 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 higher education, and a desire to contribute to society.

"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:

Raphaël C. Bélanger, École secondaire Jean-Jacques-Bertrand, Dunham
Benoit Bourgeois, École secondaire de la Ruche-Pavillon de la Ruche, Magog
Alexia Brazeau, École Secondaire Massey-Vanier, Frelighsburg
Carolyne Caillé-Demers, École secondaire de la Ruche-Pavillon de la Ruche, Magog
Amber L. Eyskoot, John Rennie High School, Pierrefonds
Maude Fleurant, École secondaire Le boisé, Victoriaville
Claudia S. Gagnon, Alexander Galt Regional High School, Sherbrooke
Alexandria E. Hill, Centennial Regional High School, Brossard
Zunaira Jabbar, École internationale Lucille-Teasdale, Brossard
Manisha Khan, Marymount Academy, Montreal
Whitney Laliberty-Gouveia, Rosemount High School, Montreal
Eve Larivière, École secondaire Jean-Jacques-Bertrand, Farnham
Jordan Larouche, École secondaire Camille-Lavoie, Alma
Carlos Eduardo E. Ospina Villa, École secondaire Massey-Vanier, Cowansville
Antoine Paradis, Polyvalente Le boisé, Victoriaville
Mikhayla M. Patterson, Alexander Galt Regional High School, Sherbrooke
Sara Pelletier Beaulieu, École Polyvalente de Dégelis, Dégelis
Luc Roy, École secondaire Veilleux, Saint-Jules-de-Beauce
Amanda Springer, École secondaire Camille-Lavoie, Alma
Aulne St-Amant, École secondaire Jean-Jacques-Bertrand, Frelighsburg

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 $17,778; 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]