A Port St. Lucie girl has earned a $20,000 college scholarship from the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc.

Amanda M. DeRienzo, of Port St. Lucie High School, is one of 104 students nationwide to be selected for the scholarship.

She was selected for the Horatio Alger National Scholarship Program because she has faced and overcome great obstacles in her young life while demonstrating strength of character, a commitment to pursue a college education and a desire to contribute to society.

DeRienzo is a member of the school newspaper and is active in drama, the yearbook and the guidance department.

The Horatio Alger Scholarship Program is one of the largest need-based financial aid programs in the country. The scholarships are awarded to students who have demonstrated integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity, strength of character, strong academics, commitment to pursue a college education and desire to contribute to society.

This year, the association gave $20,000 scholarships to 104 young men and women from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The 2009 National Scholars will soon travel to Washington for an all-expense paid trip to the Horatio Alger Awards.

The scholars will attend conferences and listen to guest speakers, participate in formal award ceremonies at the U.S. Supreme Court Building and Constitution Hall, and meet with the 2009 Horatio Alger members who are being inducted as adult American success stories. The three-day event concludes with a scholars’ breakfast.

Each scholar receives $20,000 and is given access to tools designed to help them prepare for college, perform better while there, graduate at a higher rate, develop career skills and seek a lifetime relationship with the Horatio Alger Association. The scholarships include:

Funding to be used toward tuition, fees, books, and room and board on campus.

Financial aid counseling and access to the Collegiate Partners Program.

Access to the association’s Web site, which allows students to create online profiles, search for fellow scholars, update their personal information, submit disbursement requests and direct questions to the association.

Membership in the Horatio Alger National Scholar Alumni Association after graduation.

Subscription to the association’s newsletter Strive to Succeed.

Access to a crisis line that assists scholars with a wide range of serious challenges.

Attendance at the National Scholars Conference, with sessions on the transition from college life to learning important life skills.

The Student Readiness Inventory test, which measures psychological and study skill factors and assesses scholars’ readiness for school.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 25th, 2009 at 5:58 pm and is filed under Port St. Lucie, Schools, St. Lucie County. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.