86 Boys State, Girls State alumni earn Samsung American Legion Scholarship

The 2021 Samsung American Legion Scholarship recipients have been selected and announced. The 86 scholarship recipients – who attended either the 2021 American Legion Boys State or Auxiliary Girls State session – were selected by The American Legion's Committee on Youth Education Oct. 2 during the organization’s annual Fall Meetings in Indianapolis.

The Samsung American Legion Scholarship awarded 10 national scholars with $10,000, 10 runners-up with $5,000, and 66 department finalists each will receive $1,250 for undergraduate study.

The scholarship recipients have been made aware of their award. 

Hannah Behrmann, a runner-up from South Carolina, sent the following message of appreciation via email. “Thank you for awarding me the Samsung American Legion Scholarship. I am very excited to begin my college education and this scholarship will go a long way in helping me pursue my dreams. I am humbled by your kindness and all involved in the American Legion who come together help others. Through my continued education I intend to do the same – work together to improve our communities and country.”

Benjamin Lerner, a department finalists from Michigan, wrote that “I am thrilled and honored to have been awarded the 2021 Samsung American Legion Scholarship Award. Thank you so much for this honor. My participation in Boys State this past summer was one of the most impactful events of my life.  I appreciate all that you do and I am proud to continue to be a part of your programming during my senior year in high school. This scholarship will make a big difference when I enroll in college next year.” 

The recipients earned the award based on several criteria, including participation in American Legion Boys State or Auxiliary Girls State and being a direct descendant of a wartime veteran eligible for American Legion membership. 

The Samsung American Legion Scholarship is available for high school juniors who participate in the current session of Boys State or Girls State and are direct descendants (or legally adopted children) of wartime veterans eligible for American Legion membership. The Samsung scholarship supports undergraduate studies (e.g., room and board, tuition and books), and each applicant is selected according to his or her involvement in school and community activities, academic record and financial need.

For more information about the scholarship, visit legion.org/scholarships/samsung.