Horatio Alger Association

During this year's #HoratioAlgerAwards, #HoratioAlgerMembers discussed with #HoratioAlgerScholars the significance of nurturing relationships and the advantages of cultivating strong professional connections. Hear from Bruce Sherman, 2024 #HoratioAlgerMember and Chairman and Principal Owner of the Miami Marlins and loanDepot park as he answers questions about friendships and recalls the meaningful connections he witnessed during the Awards weekend.

Horatio Alger Association Field Directors are change agents for students overcoming adversity – working every day to provide resources, tools and information about the opportunities available through the free-enterprise system.     Today, we’re spotlighting Zulema Fragoso, Arizona Field Director and Counselor at Nogales High School, for her unwavering dedication to making a difference in our Scholars’ lives. Zulema has been a counselor for 18 years and was recently named 2023 School Counselor of the Year by the Arizona School Counselors Association. She’s even founded a club within her school to encourage students to learn about careers available through higher education, which now serves as a dual enrollment course!     Her reason for volunteering with the Horatio Alger Association? “The same reason why I decided to become a school counselor. I want to help spread the word about new opportunities for students who might feel that they don't have many opportunities to continue their post-secondary education,” said Zulema.     If you know someone like Zulema who wants to help students and has a background in education, message Leah Zapata or check out our current volunteer positions on our website: https://lnkd.in/d_A3MqM3   

Spending the week in Washington D.C. with Horatio Alger Association was unbelievable! The American Enterprise Summit was phenomenal and I’m proud that I got to play a small part in it! I know we made an impact on the middle school students who attended the Summit! If you don’t know much about the association take a few minutes to look over their website. I can almost guarantee you know of someone who could benefit from the Association! It was great to reconnect with Ron who helped put on the National Scholar Conference that I went to back in 2002! He is a top notch educator who continues to give back!

What a great opportunity to educate young people about the power and promise of the American Dream and inspire them to reach their potential! This week, we hosted the Horatio Alger Association's inaugural American Enterprise Summit, in partnership with the Close Up Foundation. This four-day event brought together nearly 100 exceptional middle-school students from low-income communities across the country to delve into the principles of democracy, freedom, and the American Dream. Participants engaged in workshops on education, civic engagement, and the free enterprise system, explored historic sites like Capitol Hill and the Lincoln Memorial, and gained a deeper understanding of our nation's values and history. We are grateful to our esteemed Members, Robert D. Ballard, Robert J. Brown, and Linda Rabbitt, for sharing their stories of overcoming adversity to achieve success and make a unique contribution to our country. Their presence and wisdom were invaluable. We also extend our deepest gratitude to Phyllis and Dennis Washington for their extraordinary generosity and vision in establishing this program. Their support has made a profound impact, enabling us to empower the next generation of leaders. The American Enterprise Summit marks the beginning of a lifelong journey for the students who joined us, and we are excited to see how they will shape the future. Thank you to everyone who made this event possible and to the dedicated educators who continue to inspire and support our youth! #HoratioAlgerAssociation #AmericanEnterpriseSummit #AmericanDream #leadership #youthfevelopment #opportunity #education #students #studentsuccess #mentoring #mentorship

The inaugural American Enterprise Summit is officially underway! In partnership with Close Up Foundation, we are excited to welcome incoming eighth graders and their teachers to Washington D.C. for a week of impactful programming. Over the last few days, students explored various historic landmarks within our nation's capital while also taking part in thoughtful seminars, including one with 1990 #HoratioAlgerMember Dr. Bob Brown, trusted advisor to Martin Luther King, Jr., Richard Nixon and Nelson Mandela and founder of one of the oldest minority-owned consulting firms in the country. Dr. Brown spoke to students about the evolution of the #AmericanDream and its relevance within today’s education system.

On the #4thofJuly, we celebrate the enduring spirit of perseverance and freedom that defines America. It's a day to reflect on our rich history, honor the trailblazers who shaped our nation, and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring liberty and justice for all – including equitable access to the opportunities available through the free-enterprise system.    At the Horatio Alger Association, we empower our nation’s youth to pursue their American Dream through higher education – a dream that, for each individual person, can take on a different and diverse meaning. Hear from #HoratioAlgerMembers Ramola Motwani (Chairwoman of Merrimac Ventures), Dr. Nido Qubein (President of High Point University) and Bret Baier (Chief Political Anchor and Executive Editor of Special Report with Bret Baier at Fox News Media) about what the American Dream means to them and share your own definition in the comments in honor of #IndependenceDay!

Horatio Alger Association of Canada strives to inspire individuals across Canada to realize their fullest potential through higher education. Since 2012, the Canadian Association has awarded over $15 million in undergraduate and graduate scholarships, $400,000 in #CTE scholarships and $125,000 in indigenous scholarships – showcasing a commitment to opening the doors of opportunity for young people who may have otherwise been limited by financial restraints. This #CanadaDay, we honor our Canadian #HoratioAlgerMembers, #HoratioAlgerScholars and #HoratioAlgerAlumni for their determination to reach excellence despite the adversities they have faced and we applaud the Canadian Association for being a leader in creating a transformative educational landscape for a brighter, more inclusive future across the country.

We're pleased to announce that the Horatio Alger Association has maintained its perfect four-star rating from Charity Navigator for the eighth consecutive year. This recognition comes from the largest independent evaluator of U.S.-based charities, affirming our strong financial health and commitment to transparency and accountability. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3RLTMEH

We’re thrilled to announce the dates for our inaugural American Enterprise Summit – a four-day event from July 8-11 that will bring rising eighth graders from low-income communities across the country to Washington, D.C. to learn about democracy, freedom and the American Dream.   The Horatio Alger Association recognizes that eighth grade is a pivotal year for students, with high school approaching and college conversations right around the corner. That’s why we’ve partnered with Close Up Foundation – Washington D.C. Educational Programs to create an event that will prepare America’s youth to become strong, resilient leaders who can identify, meet and conquer the challenges of the 21st century. With a curriculum designed around experiential learning in the nation’s capital, the American Enterprise Summit will enhance the skillsets of young leaders while underscoring the Association’s critical mission to educate students about the limitless possibilities available through the free-enterprise system.   To learn more about the first-ever American Enterprise Summit, visit: https://bit.ly/3XEGLAq

On #WorldRefugeeDay, we’re reflecting on the resilience and courage of 2024 #HoratioAlgerMember Ramola Motwani. Born in India, shortly after the country gained independence from Great Britain, her family fled from Sindh to Mumbai due to fears of religious persecution and in search of better opportunities. Ms. Motwani’s parents, grandparents and six siblings came as refugees to new India with only seven suitcases and a dream – a dream to succeed, which Ms. Motwani said started with education. Motivated to build a better life, she obtained her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Mumbai before migrating to United States to fulfill her American Dream alongside her husband, Bob. Ms. Motwani arrived in the U.S. with only $8 and today she serves as chairwoman of Merrimac Ventures, a leading hotel management and development company in Florida – a true embodiment of tenacity and determination. Members like Ms. Motwani remind us of the importance of building bridges, not barriers, a mantra which played a large role in the Horatio Alger Association’s development of the Beacon of Hope Scholarship Program earlier this year. This program provides access to higher education to foreign-born survivors of human trafficking, unaccompanied children, refugees, and asylum seekers for whom there is a pathway to U.S. residency or citizenship. It also serves as a testament to the Association’s commitment to giving every young person access to the benefits of post-secondary education. We are proud to provide financial assistance to refugees as they overcome a unique set of challenges and chase their American Dream, and to have Members like Ms. Motwani who serve as proof that adversity does not define us, it shapes us. #EducationForAll Read more about Motwani’s remarkable journey to success (https://bit.ly/3XnpfAv) and learn how the Association is working to increase college and university enrollment levels for refugees (https://bit.ly/4a9344H).