Dante Allen Wins Horatio Alger Scholarship
Dante Allen is a Huntington High School senior admired by teachers, coaches and classmates for his hard work, courage, honesty and determination – virtues that just about anyone would find refreshing in a teenager.
Mr. Allen is an affable fellow. He has a loyal group of supporters that encourage, love and nurture and him. He's going places, too. A top-notch football lineman, the Blue Devil great is headed to Stony Brook University to play on the Seawolves' gridiron team and study for an undergraduate degree.
During Huntington High School's senior academic awards night earlier this month, Mr. Allen was called into the spotlight several times. During one of those appearances on the stage in the high school auditorium, Mr. Allen was handed a $5,000 Horatio Alger Assn. scholarship, becoming one of only three Suffolk seniors this spring to win the award.
"The Horatio Alger Association honors academic accomplishments, leadership potential, commitment to serving the community and desire to achieve and succeed," said Gloria Jaramillo, the Huntington High School guidance counselor who presented the award to Mr. Allen.
Alger scholarship recipients are selected "for exemplifying the American tradition of overcoming adversity and achieving success through hard work, determination, integrity and perseverance," according to Mrs. Jaramillo.
The Horatio Alger Assn. of Distinguished Americans was founded in 1947 and is based in Alexandria, Virginia. The organization awards more than $6 million in college scholarships each year. Since the scholarship program began in 1984, more than 15,000 students have received a financial award and more than $75 million has been distributed.
The 6'5, 245 lb. defensive end will wear No. 73 for Stony Brook. Last fall he recorded more than 40 tackles for Huntington and 10 quarterback sacks.
"We are so proud of Dante," Huntington Superintendent John J. Finello said. "His story is an inspirational one for all of us. We're excited he will be attending college and playing NCAA Division I football right here on Long Island."