The Missouri Gaming Association awards two $1,500 scholarships and four $1,000 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 United States 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.

Statewide, the 2016 Project 21 winners are:
$1,500 Scholarship Winners
Name: Ashtyn Figg
City: Higginsville
High School: Lafayette County C-1 High School
College Attending: Missouri State University
Winning Entry: Poster

Name: Victoria Weitkamp
City: New Florence
High School: Montgomery County R-ll High School
College Attending: William Woods University
Winning Entry: Article

$1,000 Scholarship Winners
Name: Nina Kramer & Melissa Dierkes ($500 each)
City: St. Louis
High School: Bishop DuBourg High School
Colleges Attending: Lindenwood University (Nina)
University of Missouri-Kansas City (Melissa)
Winning Entry: Video

Name: Rachel Hutchings
City: Peculiar
High School: Raymore-Peculiar High School
College Attending: University of Arkansas
Winning Entry: Poster

Name: Kelly Filips
City: Maryville
High School: Maryville R-II High School
College Attending: Missouri University of Science & Technology
Winning Entry: Article

Name: Riley Luallin
City: Conway
High School: Laclede County R1 – Conway High School
College Attending: Evangel University
Winning Entry: Article

ABOUT MISSOURI GAMING ASSOCIATION
The Missouri Gaming Association (MGA) is the statewide trade association of the Missouri casino entertainment industry. Founded in 1993, the Missouri Gaming Association works to promote responsible gaming and increase awareness of the economic benefits of casinos in Missouri. The MGA and its casino company members sponsor year-round responsible gaming programs including the 1-888-BETSOFF crisis line and referral service, Project 21 scholarship competition, and Responsible Gaming Awareness Week. For more information, visit www.missouricasinos.org.

Media Contact:
Mary Schanuel
Synergy Group
[email protected]
314.961.9772