Avery Schiller of Neelyville High School has been awarded a prestigious national $25,000 college scholarship from the Horatio Alger Association for hard work and resilience.
The Horatio Alger Association is a nonprofit educational organization honoring the achievements of young people with demonstrated financial need who are facing significant personal adversity yet remain dedicated to pursuing higher education, according to a press release from the group.
“The Association uplifts students like Avery by providing them with financial resources and programming to support their academic careers,” officials said.
This includes: financial aid counseling; college selection advising; online college success seminars discussing financial literacy and budgeting, time management, health and wellness and more; and 24/7 mental health support available via phone and online.
The group announced $2.6 million in scholarships nationally in this round of funding.
Annual scholarships are presented to high school juniors who, despite challenges, are determined to pursue higher education, the association reported.
“We remain dedicated to supporting deserving young people in pursuit of their dreams. Recently, it has become increasingly evident that we need to meet them where they are,” says James F. Dicke II, chairman of the Association and 2015 Horatio Alger Award recipient. “There are many determinants inhibiting students from pursuing higher education. In addition to the financial obstacles, we know that to best position them for success, we must care for the whole Scholar. The mental, physical and well-being of Horatio Alger Scholars are just as important as decreasing financial burdens. We’re proud to not only provide financial aid, but valuable services in these areas, as well.”
Last year, the National Scholarship was awarded to the inaugural class of high school juniors after historically being awarded to high school seniors. The association made the decision to award students one year earlier in support of early intervention by providing resources throughout the college selection and application process.