High School Senior Receives Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s Gerda and Kurt Klein Scholarship

BOSTON — October 8, 2009 — Global education publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt proudly awards high school senior Eve Yekelchik of Brookline, Massachusetts, the $10,000 Gerda and Kurt Klein Scholarship for her dedicated service to at-risk students and underprivileged community members.

The Gerda and Kurt Klein Scholarship, established by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in 2007 to commemorate the humanitarian spirit of Holocaust survivor Gerda Klein and her liberator and husband Kurt, annually recognizes one high school student who fosters ethnic and religious tolerance and actively minimizes bigotry within his or her community.

Yekelchik, the daughter of Soviet-born Jewish refugees, is an honors student, athlete and committed volunteer. She spent the 2008-2009 academic year serving as a junior mentor for one of her school’s advisory classrooms, which supports students with learning and behavioral disabilities, and interned last summer for Language Connections, a company that provides translation, interpreting and localization services to immigrants and refugees.

“Eve was eager to use her time and energy to serve the underprivileged members of our community,” said Leo Galperin, president of Language Connections. “She exhibited cultural sensitivity, integrity, maturity and tact every step of the way.”

Yekelchik intends to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in foreign languages and international relations upon graduating next spring, and will use the $10,000 award to offset her tuition fees.

“We’re thrilled to be able to recognize Eve for her impressive contribution to the Kleins’ overall mission,” said Chief Executive Officer Barry O’Callaghan, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. “Her success thus far will help her continue Gerda and Kurt’s legacy of promoting tolerance, respect and empowerment through education and community service.”

About Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Boston-based Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company is a global education leader and the world's largest publisher of educational materials for pre-K–12 schools. The Company publishes a comprehensive set of best-in-class educational solutions, ranging from research-based textbook programs to instructional technology to standards-based assessments for students and educators. The Company also publishes an extensive line of reference works and award-winning literature for adults and young readers. With origins dating back to 1832, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt combines its tradition of excellence with a commitment to innovation. To learn more about Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, visit www.hmhpub.com.

CONTACT:
Josef Blumenfeld
Vice President, Communications
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
617-351-5432
josef.blumenfeld@hmhpub.com