Missouri Students' Creativity, Awareness Efforts Rewarded With Scholarships
April 12, 2005 - Six Missouri high school students won scholarships in the ninth annual Project 21 Scholarship Contest, sponsored by the Missouri Riverboat Gaming Association (MRGA), the professional organization representing riverboat casino operators in Missouri.
The scholarships included two $1,500 and four $1,000 scholarships, and were awarded to Missouri high school seniors. The students competed for the scholarships by creating an article, poster or video that educated their peers about the dangers of underage gambling.
The winners were:
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Sarah Brune of New Haven and a senior at Washington
High School, received a $1,500 scholarship;
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Haelie Loest of Raytown and a senior at Raytown
South High, received a $1,500 scholarship;
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Lynsey Jorgenson of St. Louis and a senior in 2005
at Lindbergh High School, received a $1,000 scholarship;
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Stacia Blase of Liberty and a senior at Liberty High School,
received at $1,000 scholarship;
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Amanda Swindell of Huntsville and a senior at Westran R-I
High School, received a $1,000 scholarship; and
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Savana Ricker of Gladstone and a senior at Oak Park High
School, received a $1,000 scholarship.
“Students’ entries continue to impress us, year after year,” said Mike
Ryan, executive director of the MRGA.
Ryan said the MRGA is strongly committed to promoting responsible gaming practices in Missouri. The Project 21 Scholarship Program plays a vital role in preventing underage gambling, according to Ryan.
“We are pleased to see that students across Missouri are learning more about the dangers of underage gambling, and then taking on the challenge of informing their peers,” said Ryan. “Plus, Project 21 provides students with the means and inspiration to seek a higher education. It’s a wonderful and effective program.”
The Project 21 Scholarship Contest is open to all Missouri high school seniors planning to attend an institution of higher education in the United States within four years of a winning entry. The students are asked to create an article, poster or video that will educate their peers about the dangers of underage gambling. The submitted article, poster or video must have appeared in the entrant’s high school in some form (published, posted or viewed) in January or February of the contest year. The MRGA announces the winners of two $1,5000 prizes and four $1,000 prizes each spring and jointly issues checks to winners and the accredited institution of higher education of their choice.
“The casino industry in Missouri is committed to education, whether it be through the taxes paid to the state by each casino property, or through the allotment of funding for this particular program,” said Ryan. “Project 21 is unique, though, because it deliberately draws attention to an issue we are constantly trying to address. It’s a true opportunity to educate.”
The Missouri Riverboat Gaming Association (MRGA) is the statewide trade association of the Missouri casino entertainment industry and related professionals. Formed in 1993, the MRGA provides research and information to increase awareness of the economic benefits of Missouri's casinos. For more information, visit http://www.missouricasinos.org/.
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