SCHOLARSHIPS
Since 1971, The American Legion Department of Ohio has awarded scholarships to deserving students to assist them with the ever-increasing costs associated with higher education.
Any accredited institution of higher learning with a program of education or a vocational objective qualifies.
Eligibility
Applicants must meet the following. Failure to meet or provide the below will result in applicant being disqualified.
- Be a Legionnaire in good standing OR
- Be a direct descendant of a Legionnaire in good standing OR
- Be a direct desendant of a deceased Legionnaire in good standing at the time of passing
- If not a Legionnaire, must be a high school senior or military veteran eligible for Legion membership
- Have a GPA of 3.5 or higher AND
- Have an ACT of 25 or higher
- Provide an accurately completed application along with all required documentation
- If a high school senior, be attending college fall semester immediately following high school graduation
Judging Criteria
Judging criteria shall be based upon academic achievement through course grades, difficulty of curriculum, scholastic and ACT test scores, participation in outside activities, and the Committee’s general impression of student’s character obtained from personal statement.
Awards
Awards of at least $2,000 have been made by the Selection Committee in the recent past, but the quantity and amount of awards is dependent upon annual fund earnings.
Scholarship Recipients
High School
Kiernan Pfenning
of Waynesville, Ohio is the son of a Legionnaire. Kiernan will be attending Miami University.
Alexander Diaz
of Hilliard, Ohio is the son of a Legionnaire and participates in Boys Scouts. Alexander will be attending The Ohio State University.
Reagan Henry
of Wilmington, Ohio is the granddaughter of a Legionnaire. Reagan will be attending Ashland University.
Ian Rotruck
of Grove City, Ohio is the son of a Legionnaire and participates in Boy Scouts. Ian will be attending The Ohio State University.
Mara McDougal
of Washington, Ohio is the granddaughter and is a former Americanism and Government participant. Mara will be attending Wheeling University.
Lauren Esterline
of Crestline, Ohio is the granddaughter of a Legionnaire. Lauren will be attending North Central State College.
Addison McCormick
of Englewood, Ohio is the daughter of a Legionnaire. Addison will be attending the University of Dayton.
Carter Wooddell
of Sidney, Ohio is the great grandson of a Legionnaire and is former Americanism and Government participant as well as a member of the Sons of the American Legion. Carter will be attending Anderson University.
Mary Cunningham
of Holland, Ohio is the daughter of a Legionnaire. Mary will be attending Bowling Green State University.
College
Nathaniel Byler
of Millersburg, Ohio is the son of a Legionnaire. Nathaniel is currently enrolled at the University of Akron.
Jillian George
of Lorain, Ohio is the granddaughter of a Legionnaire and is involved in Girl Scouts. Jillian is currently enrolled at Bowling Green State University.
Ava Hanson
Durward I. Bernhard Award |
of Bridgeport, Ohio is the granddaughter of a Legionnaire and is involved in Girl Scouts. Ava will be attending The Ohio State University.
Nash Williams
Donald L. Lanthorn Award |
of Dublin, Ohio is the grandson of a Legionnaire and is involved in Boys Scouts, having earned is Eagle Scout. Nash will be attending The Ohio State University.
Xena Humphrey
American Legion Member Award |
of Galion, Ohio is a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran and member of Post 243. Xena is currently enrolled at Tiffin University.
Durward I. Bernhard Scholarship Award
One scholarship award of at least $1,000 shall be designated the Durward I. Bernhard Scholarship Award and provided to a resident of Belmont County in honor of the benefactor of our fund and the area of Ohio from which he came.
Applicant must indicate that they are a Belmont County resident on the application to assure consideration for this special award. Applicants selected will be considered for other awards given by The American Legion Department of Ohio.
Don Lanthorn Scholarship
In honor of the Past Department Service Director, Donald Lanthorn, one scholarship award of at least $1,000 shall be designated the Don Lanthorn Scholarship Award and provided to a high school senior from one of the following 6 counties:
Delaware | Knox | Licking | Madison | Marion | Morrow | Union
Applicant must indicate they are a resident in one of the above Ohio counties on the application and meet the enclosed listed “eligibility” requirements to be considered for this special award.
Oratorical Scholarship
The Oratorical Program is a function of the American Legions’ “Americanism Pillar”. The Oratorical Program is a constitutional speech contest for high school students and it offers scholarships upwards of $25,000. The contest has a prepared oration and an assigned topic which is assigned the day of the contest. The prepared oration must be on some aspect of the Constitution, with emphasis on a citizen’s duties and obligations to our government. The same subject and oration used in the department contest must be used in the national contest. The purpose of the assigned topic discourse is to test the speaker’s knowledge of the subject, the extent of his or her research, and the ability to discuss the topic as related to the basic principles of government under the Constitution.
SCHOLARSHIP Point of Contact
Christie White
Americanism and Children & Youth Coordinator / Scholarship Liaison
- 740-513-5199
- programs@ohiolegion.com
Screening Committee
The Scholarship Screening Committee for The Ohio American Legion Scholarships Awards is established by Article X, Section 6, of the Constitution of The American Legion, Department of Ohio, and consists of the following:
COMMANDER
Dept. of Ohio
CHAIRPERSON
Appointed by Dept. Commander
ADJUTANT
Dept. of Ohio
TREASURER
Dept. of Ohio
CHAIRPERSON
Child Welfare Committee
2ND VICE COMMANDER
Dept. of Ohio
1ST VICE COMMANDER
Dept. of Ohio
CHAIRPERSON
Americanism Committee
(3) COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Appointed by Dept. Commander
IMMEDIATE PAST COMMANDER
Dept. of Ohio