American Legion breaks scholarship record

Published 11:20 am Tuesday, July 14, 2009

By Melanie Patterson

The North Jefferson News

On Thursday, the Hawkins B. Carter American Legion Post No. 255 in Fultondale will break a record with its generosity.

The post will give out 29 American Legion scholarships worth $1,000 each.

Last year, the post gave 16 scholarships. Of the 29 this year, 12 are college students who also received the funds last year.

“Every year we tell the students that if they keep their grades up, we will keep giving scholarships,” said Don Vaughn, post commander.

College students must keep their grade point average above 3.5 to receive a second scholarship.

High-school students should see their school counselors for information to apply for the scholarships, Vaughn said.

“Every year wt go the counselors at all the high schools and give them the requirements,” Vaughn said. “They have to write an essay, give us their family military history if any, and a copy of their grades.”

Students must also provide a letter of acceptance from the college or university they will attend.

The American Legion makes scholarship checks out to the schools, not to the students.

“All high-school students in north Jefferson County are eligible,” Vaughn said. He said every high school in the area will be represented during the ceremony Thursday.

“We will continue to give scholarships as long as the good Lord provides with good solid membership here,” Vaughn said. “We will do it unless the bottom of the economy drops out.”

The post does three major community projects a year, including the scholarships, a community Easter egg hunt, and a Christmas program for needy families.

“Those are three of the biggest projects we do. They are best things we do here,” said Vaughn.