OBSERVER STAFF REPORT

Kayah Alexandra Franklin, daughter of Randy Drew of Elk Grove and Cedric Franklin of Washington, D.C., has been named a national scholar by The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans.

Kaylah Franklin was named a Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans national scholar, which comes with a $20,000 scholarship. Photo Courtesy To The Observer

Franklin is one of 107 scholars named nationwide and receives a $20,000 scholarship in recognition of her academic excellence, integrity, perseverance and strength of character, coupled with her commitment to pursue her college education and her desire to contribute to society.

Founded in 1947, the Horatio Agler Association bears the name of a 19th century writer whose dime novels focused on rags to riches stories and overcoming adversity. The association, through its scholarship and awards programs, honors the achievements of outstanding individuals who have succeeded in spite of adversity and supports young people in pursuit of their dreams through higher education. The Horatio Alger Association awards $12 million in scholarships annually.

As part of her big scholarship win, Franklin will join her fellow scholars, including seven others from California, at an all-expense paid trip to the nation’s capitol in April. The scholars will attend a leadership conference as guests of the association.

Franklin, a senior at Elk Grove’s Laguna Creek High School has been accepted at the prestigious Howard University in Washington, D.C. She will begin her studies in the Fall of 2008. Franklin will pursue a degree in dance with the goal of becoming a professional choreographer.