Horatio Alger Association Honors Fort Lauderdale Business Leader Mike Jackson and Four National Scholarship Recipients from Florida

WASHINGTON, March 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- 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, will induct Mike Jackson, chairman and chief executive officer of AutoNation, Inc. and a Florida resident, as a lifetime Member in April, while also rewarding four deserving Florida students with its prestigious Horatio Alger National Scholarship. Association Members and Scholars are selected based on their determination to persevere and the success they have achieved despite innumerable adversities.

Named for renowned author Horatio Alger, Jr., who wrote about the merits of hard work, courage and honesty as the means to success, Horatio Alger Association was established in 1947 to uphold these tenets, which are core to the American Dream. To further its mission, individuals who demonstrate initiative, resilience and excellence in their lives, such as Mr. Jackson, are inducted into the Association annually as lifetime Members.

"Mr. Jackson is a living example of how passion and perseverance can lead to great success," said David Sokol, chairman of Horatio Alger Association. "When he discovered his love for automobiles, Mr. Jackson turned it into a storied career defined by a willingness to go above and beyond. Now the CEO of the nation's largest automotive retailer, Mr. Jackson is an inspiration and his story should encourage all of our Scholars to successfully pursue their passions."

Possessing a strong commitment to philanthropy, Horatio Alger Members are celebrating the 30^th anniversary of their scholarship programs in 2014.  The scholarship programs provide educational assistance to at-risk youth with an admirable commitment to continuing their education and serving their communities.Today, the Association administers one of the nation's largest, privately-funded, need-based scholarship programs in North America, having provided more than $100 million in undergraduate, graduate and specialized scholarships since 1984.  The following students from Florida have been recognized for their exceptional accomplishments with the 2014 Horatio Alger National Scholarship in the amount of $21,000:

• Autumn Armega-Finger, Naples High School, Naples
• Alyssa Canterbury, Mount Dora High School, Sorrento
• Patricia Etienne. Gulf Coast High School, Naples
• Jamal Wake, International Baccalaureate Program, Seminole

"Year after year, we are inspired by young men and women across the nation who have faced significant adversities yet possess exceptional leadership abilities, academic promise and a strong desire to help others," said Tony Novelly, president and CEO of Horatio Alger Association.  "The scholarship recipients from Florida have demonstrated an unwavering faith in themselves and it is our honor to help them pursue their goals through education."

To view the complete list of Horatio Alger Members selected for the Class of 2014, please visit https://www.horatioalger.org/news_pr_members2014.cfm.

To view the complete list of 2014 Horatio Alger National Scholarship recipients, please visit
https://www.horatioalger.org/scholarships/2014awards.cfm?styped=NS.

About Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans:
Founded in 1947, 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.

SOURCE Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc.