SIOUX FALLS - A Roosevelt High School student who overcame tough odds has been awarded a scholarship for his Charles Dickens-like backstory.

Jacob Lindamood is one of 106 students to be awarded the 2013 Horatio Alger National Scholarship out of about 40,000 applicants. The awards pay $4,000 a year for five years of college. Winners also get a trip to Washington in April to participate in the National Scholar's Conference.

The scholarship is meant to honor young adults who have overcome difficult childhoods.

Cathy Lindamood is Jacob's aunt. She tells the Argus Leader (http://argusne.ws/UEqOCT ) that her nephew's story was bleak. One parent was addicted to drugs, while the other died of lung cancer in 2008.

Rhonda Kemmis, Jacob's speech teacher, says he's remarkable and will have an "extraordinary life."

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