Logan senior awarded scholarship

A Logan High senior has received a scholarship bestowed on just 104 students across the country.

Holly Raines-Baxter, 18, a senior at Logan high school said she was excited to be notified she had received the Horatio Alger National Scholarship, good for $20,000 at any four-year institution.

"This is the first scholarship that I have received," Raines-Baxter said. "It's a relief to know that I will have help in paying for my higher education."

Raines-Baxter said she has a 4.23 grade point average, which has been difficult to maintain since she has been in and out of foster care since she was 14 years-old. She said it only got more difficult when her mother, Diana Liard, passed away when she was 16.

"It took a lot of effort to continue pushing myself and maintain my grades," Raines-Baxter.

Students selected for the scholarship, according to the association, demonstrated how they overcame personal obstacles to attain academic success.

"The Association is proud to help these talented individuals find continued success through their pursuit of higher education," said Tony Novelly, President and CEO of the Horatio Alger Association, "We know they will continue to represent the Horatio Alger ideals of achievement through perseverance and integrity in facing life's challenges."

She will be honored at the Horatio Alger Awards Ceremonies in Washington D.C, in April.

Every year, the Association disburses over $7 million in scholarships to deserving high school students all over North America through its various scholarship programs. The National Scholarship recipients are invited on an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. this April to attend the National Scholars Conference. During the trip, they will have the opportunity to meet fellow scholar and association members, and attend college preparatory sessions.

Raines-Baxter said it took her two weeks to complete the application for the scholarship. She said some of the requirements included writing four essays.

She plans to attend the University of New Mexico, where she will double major in business and political science.

The scholarship is distributed $4,000 annually over five years, with the remaining balance paid to Raines-Baxter in her final seemster if she completes her education sooner.