Legion, Samsung scholars pledge to ‘pay it forward’

Nine recent high school graduates traversed the country, traveling to D.C. for one purpose – to be recognized as recipients of the Samsung American Legion Scholarship. The newest scholarship recipients were applauded for their achievements during a luncheon held in their honor on Capitol Hill June 10.

Though they have different backgrounds, they all share common threads as descendants of Korean War veterans. The ambitious scholars who were also participants of American Legion Boys State and Auxiliary Girls State have engrained the pillars of the Legion in their hearts and minds.

In October 2014, each of the awardees received a $20,000 scholarship from The American Legion funded with money contributed by Samsung.

In 1995, Samsung, a leader in the global electronics industry, bestowed a $5 million endowment to The American Legion to establish a scholarship fund for the family members of American citizens who are war veterans. The gesture was inspired by the support of the U.S. troops that came to the aid of South Korea while defending themselves against opposing Chinese and North Korean forces.

Since its inception, the scholarship fund has afforded opportunities to award more than $5.3 million in scholarships to more than 1,700 students pursuing an education at institutions of higher learning.

Among the many distinguished guests on hand to congratulate the students were National Vice Commander Bill Bryant, 2005 Samsung American Legion Scholarship alumnus Rebecca Selzer and Congressman Mark Sanford. The speakers delivered inspirational messages reminding the ambitious students of the sacrifices that were made when their ancestors and their comrades fought on the frontlines, some of them paying the ultimate sacrifice.

“What you all represent are the legacies of are folks who said, ‘You know what, I’ll don the uniform because I believe so strongly in that which this country is founded on,’” said Sanford. “That is a remarkable legacy ... It means that you have to pay it forward.”

The new college freshmen vowed to do just that. Several of them said they plan to continue giving back through their perspective job fields upon graduation from college. Others plan to keep giving back through their extracurricular activities as well.

Collectively, this group of men and women were designated as the first official class of Samsung American Legion Scholarship alumni, charged with the task of supporting each other and mentoring future scholarship recipients.

Many contributed their inspiration and future aspirations to the immediate and distant family members who made the scholarship a reality. Several of the students reminisced, sharing stories of how their loved ones were equally as inspired after learning their military service qualified their high school graduates for the prestigious scholarship.

Mike Bredeck, chairman of the Legion’s Committee on Youth Education, impressed upon the scholars how important it is to carry on their loved ones legacies of service and uphold the values and freedom they fought to uphold.

“As you begin your journey, know that the qualities of courage, honor, leadership, patriotism, scholarship and service are necessary to the preservation of the fundamental institution of our government and the advancement of society,” Bredeck said. “Those courageous men and women that fought some 60 years ago to preserve democracy for South Korea are to be remembered.”

For one student, Samantha Goerger, the scholarship - earned through her family member’s service - has benefitted her family tremendously. Her sister was also a recipient of the scholarship three years prior. The teen personally thanked Bree Falato, Samsung’s program manager for Corporate Social Responsibility, who was on hand to present the scholars with brand new tablets donated by the company. Jill Druskis, director of The American Legion’s Americanism Division, also presented the students with a tablet sleeve embroidered with the Legion’s emblem.

Goerger, a participant in The American Legion Oratorical Contest all four years of high school, attributed her personal development to the contest. She conveyed her thanks to the Legion for helping expand her knowledge of the Constitution and broadening her public speaking skills.

The 2014 Samsung American Legion Scholarship awardees are:

Heidi Bau of Slayton, Minn.

Samantha Goerger of Wyndmere, N.D.

Sean Griner of Bluffton, S.C.

Matthew Hanisch of Tulsa, Okla.

Kyle Kozlowski of Washington, Pa.

Jonathan Mullen of Adover, Minn.

Colter Norick of Columbia Falls, Mont.

Mason Pearcy of Slidell, La.

Delaney Tevis of Columbia, Mo.