Celebrating more than $100 million awarded in scholarships in 30 years, Horatio Alger Association launches its 2014 “State of the Association” meetings with a dynamic program at New York’s premier performance venue
New York, NY (January 22, 2014) – Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc., a nonprofit educational organization honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals and encouraging youth to pursue their dreams through higher education, presents, in partnership with Forbes magazine, “George Perris Live at Jazz at Lincoln Center.” This marks the first-ever performance for Mr. Perris – the Association’s international ambassador – at the famed venue.
Perris, pop-classical singer and international ambassador for Horatio Alger Association, greets 2014 Horatio Alger National Scholar Michael Onitiri (High School for Public Service, Brooklyn).
The 90-minute concert, which is in the process of being finalized for broadcast on both Comcast network and the Ovation channel, kicks-off Horatio Alger’s 2014 “State of the Association” meetings, which are being organized in celebration of the Association’s awarding more than $100 million in need-based scholarships since the inception of its National Scholarship Program in 1984. Held at various locales throughout the United States and Canada, and linked with special concert performances, these meetings will also serve to keep Members, Scholars and Alumni Scholars connected to each other and to the Association and its many initiatives.
The performance by Mr. Perris begins the next exciting chapter in the Association’s relationship with the global pop-classical singing sensation. In his role as international ambassador for the Association, Mr. Perris has used his immense talent to raise awareness of the Association’s mission, specifically as it relates to its educational and scholarship programs. For his upcoming American debut studio album, Mr. Perris has co-written the song, “Shine,” in honor of the Association’s 20,000 Scholars and Alumni Scholars.
George Perris, pop-classical singer and international ambassador for Horatio Alger Association, greets 2014 Horatio Alger National Scholar Sania Kamran, who attends West Orange High School, along with Jim Brickman, an award-winning pianist and songwriter with four certified gold records.
“Through our ‘State of the Association’ meetings, which celebrate 30 years of scholarships, we are proud to support and salute George Perris as Horatio Alger Association’s international ambassador,” said Tony Novelly, President and CEO of Horatio Alger Association. “We are deeply grateful to George for using his exceptional vocal talents to promote awareness of the Association’s educational programs and mission. His advocacy is truly inspirational. We are also greatly appreciative of Comcast and Ovation for helping us to share our mission – and George’s talent – with a wider audience.”
“State of the Association” meetings also provide an opportunity to introduce Horatio Alger Association’s newest National Scholars to the organization. At this evening’s performance, the Association will welcome select students from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania who are among its newly-announced class of 2014 National Scholars. Each Scholar is recognized as an outstanding student, who, in the face of great adversity, has exhibited an admirable commitment to continuing his/her education and serving his/her community. Awarded $21,000 to apply toward the tuition of the college or university of their choice, Horatio Alger National Scholars come from households with an average income of $15,000 per year while maintaining an average 3.8 GPA and a scoring a mean 1,684 on the SAT. Since the establishment of its scholarship programs in 1984, Horatio Alger Association has awarded more than $100 million in undergraduate, graduate and specialized scholarships.
Horatio Alger Association presents the debut performance of its international ambassador, George Perris, at Jazz at Lincoln Center on Wednesday, January 22, 2014.
Mr. Novelly added: “We are delighted to welcome our new Scholars to the Association with a special event at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Our Scholars, as always, are both impressive and deserving of the Association’s support. And undoubtedly their potential for success is similar to that of George Perris – infinite.”
For more information about Horatio Alger Association and its “State of the Association” meetings, please visit https://www.horatioalger.org/. For more information about George Perris, please visit: .
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About Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans:
Founded in 1947, the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc., fulfills its mission of honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals who have succeeded in spite of adversity and of encouraging young people to pursue their dreams through higher education. Horatio Alger Association supports students through annual undergraduate and graduate need-based scholarships and mentoring programs across the United States and Canada. Since 1984, the Association has awarded more than $100 million in college scholarships to deserving young people. For more information, please visit www.horatioalger.org.