Horatio Alger Association of Canada announces the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney Quebec Scholarship Program winners

Horatio Alger Association of Canada

MONTREAL, Feb. 17, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - The Horatio Alger Association of Canada is proud to announce that students in Quebec have been awarded $5,000 scholarships as part of the Horatio Alger Right Honourable 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.

Former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, a Member of the Horatio Alger Association since 2012 and in whose name the Quebec scholarships are awarded, congratulated this year's winners.

"It warms my heart to see so many young people who, even after having gone through very difficult periods in their lives, work with great determination to pursue their dreams," Mr. Mulroney said. "I am extremely proud to support these students on their road to success."

This year's winners are:

Jayana T. Auger, École secondaire Camille-Lavoie, Alma
Natasha V. Lalonde, Centennial Regional High School, Brossard
Kayliane Degray, Laurentian Regional High School, Brownsburg-Chatham
Fidelia Longchamps, École secondaire Massey-Vanier, Cowansville
Lara C. Mouillet, École secondaire Massey-Vanier, Cowansville
Emilie Fortin-Lapointe, École C.-E.-Pouliot, Gaspé
Erin L. Gooding, Macdonald High School, Île Perrot
Tania Adam, Collège Sainte-Anne, Lachine
Andrea Winters, Polyvalente Montignac, Lac-Mégantic
Karolanne Sears, Polyvalente de Matane, Matane
Sarah-Rose R. Mestel-Groinig, M.I.N.D. High School, Montreal
Vanessa A. Walker-Plusquellec, New Carlisle High School, New Carlisle
Brandon J. Kinnear, Beaconsfield High School, Pincourt
Hannah D. Fitzsimons, Macdonald High School, Pincourt
Paula Ward-Renomeron, Centennial Regional High School, Saint-Hubert
Léonie Girard, École Secondaire Paul-Germain-Ostiguy, Saint-Césaire
Anne-Frédérique Meilleur, École secondaire Augustin-Norbert-Morin, Sainte-Adèle
Marie Jomphe-Lemay, École secondaire Manikoutai, Sept-Îles
Lydia Toussaint, Alexander Galt Regional High School, Sherbrooke

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_C4029_PHOTO_EN_12211.jpg

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