(PRESS RELEASE) — Four Missouri high school seniors have been selected to receive college scholarships through the 24th annual Project 21 Scholarship competition sponsored by the Missouri Gaming Association, the statewide professional association of the Missouri casino industry.
The Missouri Gaming Association awards one $2,500 scholarship and three $1,500 scholarships, which are jointly issued to the winners and the accredited institutions of higher education they select.
The Project 21 Scholarship was developed to educate young people about the issues and dangers of underage gambling. The competition is open to all Missouri high school seniors planning to attend an institution of higher education in the U.S. within four years of graduation.
In Missouri, it’s illegal for persons under the age of 21 to gamble in a casino. The students were asked to create an essay/article, poster or video aimed at educating their peers about the illegality and dangers of underage gambling. The entries were published or viewed in the students’ high schools in February or March, to help educate other students.
“We know that young people are influenced by their peers, so Project 21 encourages them to learn about the issues of underage gambling and share that information with their classmates,” said Mike Winter, executive director of the Missouri Gaming Association.
The 2020 Project 21 winners are:
$2,500 Scholarship Winner
Abigail Horn of Easton, MO
Central High School
College Attending – Undecided
Poster and Essay – All Bets Off Until 21
$1,500 Scholarship Winners
Gwyneth Anne Wood of Clarksburg, MO
Tipton High School
College Attending – Missouri Southern State University in Joplin
Poster and Essay – Underage Gambling Can Steal Your Smile
Morgyn Taylor of Eldon, MO
Eldon High School
College Attending – Missouri State University in Springfield
Poster and Essay – Mental Issues With Underage Gambling
Claudia St. John of Kansas City, MO
Staley High School
College Attending – University of Missouri Kansas City
Article – The Dicey Online Market of Underage Gambling