Every year, the Horatio Alger Association, a non-profit organization that honors the achievements of outstanding Americans and emphasizes the importance of higher education, gives a scholarship worth $22,000. Only 106 out of 55,000 applicants were chosen for the scholarship, and this year one person from Nebraska was chosen. Senior Yvonne Stone received a voicemail from the association Jan. 6 that changed her outlook on her future.

“I called back right away and I got ahold of the lady that called me. She said ‘Congratulations, you are a Horatio Alger National Scholar’. I was in complete shock and I fell on my knees and started crying,” Stone said.

When applying for the scholarship, Stone didn’t expect to win, but she applied anyway and hoped for a good outcome.

“When it came to the Horatio Alger I wanted to apply for it because I knew it was a large scholarship,” Stone said. “I knew there was a very slim chance of winning, but I didn’t let the chances discourage me and I applied anyways.”

Due to the absence of her parents while growing up, Stone knew she would have to pay her way through college. Financially, this scholarship will help Stone tremendously.

“I had worked hard all through high school having a cumulative GPA of 3.94 and an ACT of 29. But I knew that wasn’t enough,” Stone said. “You have to put on a lot of extra work to apply to extra scholarships if you want to make any type of head way on paying for college.”

By being a part of College Possible and having the help and support from her coach, Stone finished all of her essays on time. Stone knew once she received that phone call that all of her hard work had payed off.

“I have applied for so many scholarships that they all get mixed up, but I remember this was one of the most vigorous to complete,” Stone said. “To finish it, I went to College Possible twice a week for a couple of weeks and each time was two hours long.”

Stone will travel to Washington D.C. March 30 – April 3 to receive her award.