When you think about it though, it&#x27;s unlikely she nominated herself for the award or asked for it. Can we really hold someone accountable for another group of persons&#x27; actions?<p>With that in mind, I briefly researched the &#x27;Horatio Alger Award&#x27;, it&#x27;s being offered by the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, a nonprofit organization. I checked their site and merit of any kind is only part of the story.<p>As I understood things, when you&#x27;re awarded the title, you automatically become a member and it&#x27;s not possible to gain membership otherwise. This prize ensures growth and continuity for the organization, along with potential funding.<p>I read the &#x27;Become a Member&#x27; pdf document from their site and while it appears anyone can be nominated, as long as the nominee is &#x27;on brand&#x27; with the organization&#x27;s ideals of remarkable achievements, the new member&#x2F;awardee will, in turn, have to support the association in as many ways as possible, either by contributing to the program (activities with an administrative or promotional purpose), AND&#x2F;OR financially.<p>The form states that it &#x27;must be completed and signed by the nominee and the nominator. If the nomination is confidential, the form may be completed and signed by the nominator only. By signing this form, the nominator and nominee acknowledge their understanding and acceptance of the responsibilities associated with membership in the Association.&#x27;<p>I think the more questionable thing here is possibly exploitation of the desirability of status and prestige.