HMN Horace Mann Educators Corporation

Applicant essays must answer the question: if you could leave a mark on the world, what would it be and why? SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Nov. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In recognition of American Education Week, The Horace Mann Companies (NYSE:HMN) today encouraged K-12 educators across the nation to apply for a Horace Mann Educator Scholarship. Winners will be determined by the quality of a 300-word essay and involvement in school and community activities. In the spirit of Horace Mann, the great 18th century statesman and educator known as the "father of American public education," applicant essays must answer the question: if you could leave a mark on the world, what would it be and why? Horace Mann once said, "Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity." Now in its fourth year, the scholarship program will award $30,000 in April 2008 toward the continuing collegiate education of educators. Horace Mann has awarded more than $1 million in scholarships since 1992 through this program and others. "Our scholarship winners have used their awards to pursue degrees as high as the Ph.D. level in subjects ranging from art to the environment to early childhood education," said Louis G. Lower II, Horace Mann's president and chief executive officer. "In some cases, the scholarships have enabled educators to pursue a dream of an advanced degree after having put it off to raise a family. In all cases, their educational pursuits reflect their commitment to continual learning and improvement as teachers and people." Deadline for applications: Feb. 29, 2008 Horace Mann will award 36 scholarships: one $5,000 award payable over four years, 15 $1,000 awards payable over two years, and 20 one-time $500 awards. To be eligible, an applicant must be a K-12 educator with at least two years of experience employed full- or part-time by a U.S. public or private school district. Scholarship awards must be applied to tuition, fees or expenses for classes at a two- or four-year accredited college or university. The deadline to apply is Feb. 29, 2008. Essays will be evaluated on creativity, content and mechanics (grammar, spelling, punctuation). Financial need is not a consideration; however, applicants who have all educational expenses paid through other scholarships and/or grants are ineligible. The program is not open to residents of Hawaii, New Jersey and New York. To apply for a scholarship Interested educators should contact their local Horace Mann agent or apply online at https://www.horacemann.com/edscholarship/ About Horace Mann Horace Mann -- the largest national multiline insurance company focusing on educators' financial needs -- provides auto and homeowners insurance, retirement annuities, life insurance and other financial solutions. Founded by educators for educators in 1945, the company is headquartered in Springfield, Ill. For more information, visit http://www.horacemann.com/. DATASOURCE: The Horace Mann Companies CONTACT: Paul Wappel of The Horace Mann Companies, Public Relations Department, +1-217-788-5373, Web site: http://www.horacemann.com/

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