Contact: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Thursday, August 7, 2008

Wesley Cowan, a rising senior at Tates Creek High School, is one of Kentucky’s two finalists in the Samsung American Legion Scholarship competition. He and nearly 100 other students from around the country will receive at least $1,000; the top winners will get a $20,000 scholarship. The results will be announced this fall.

The staff of Kentucky Boys State selected Cowan after June’s weeklong program at the Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, Ky. He was chosen based on academics, school and community involvement, and financial need.

Samsung, a worldwide electronics company, has endowed a scholarship fund, to be administered by the American Legion, to recognize the sacrifice and commitment of U.S. servicemen and women who served during the Korean War. Delegates to Boys State and Girls State who are direct descendants of veterans of various wars can apply for the scholarships.

In 2007, ten $20,000 scholarships and 88 $1,000 scholarships were awarded.

Margaret Hall Noger, a rising senior at Henry Clay High School, is Kentucky's other finalist for 2008.