JEFFERSON CITY, MO – Three Missouri high school seniors have been selected to receive college scholarships through the 29th annual Project 21 Scholarship competition, which was developed to educate young people about the issues and dangers of underage gambling. Sponsored by the Missouri Gaming Association, the statewide professional association of the Missouri casino industry, $198,500 Project 21 scholarships have been awarded to date.
“We know that young people are influenced by their peers, so Project 21 encourages students to learn about the issues of underage gambling and share that information with their classmates,” said Mike Winter, executive director of the Missouri Gaming Association. “The Missouri casino industry is dedicated to supporting education in our state, both through the education funding from gaming tax revenues and through awareness efforts like Project 21.”
In Missouri, it’s illegal for persons under the age of 21 to gamble in a casino. The students were asked to create an essay/article, poster or video aimed at educating their peers about the illegality and dangers of underage gambling. The entries were published or viewed in the students’ high schools to help educate other students.The competition is open to all Missouri high school seniors planning to attend an institution of higher education in the United States within four years of graduation.
“By educating young people and putting strict rules in place, we can help prevent underage gambling and encourage better choices in the future. It is everyone’s responsibility — parents, teachers and society as a whole — to create an environment that protects young people,” wrote second place winner, Josiah Schott, in his article, “A Closer Look At Underage Gambling.”
This year, the Missouri Gaming Association awarded one $2,500 scholarship and two $1,500 scholarships to students from Jefferson City, Neosho and Mountain Grove, Missouri. The awards are jointly issued to the winners and their selected accredited institutions of higher education.
“The underage brain is driven by emotion, not reason. So when they roll the dice, they are more susceptible to developing harmful habits that can have long-lasting consequences on their mental health and well-being. It is crucial to educate young individuals about the risks of gambling with support and resources to prevent addiction before it takes hold, as early intervention is key in protecting their well being,” wrote first-place winner Karen McCauley of Jefferson City in her essay “No Dice Till 21.”
The 2025 Missouri Gaming Association Project 21 winners are:
$2,500 Scholarship Winner:
Karen McCauleyl of Jefferson City, MO
Essay and Poster – “No Dice Till 21”
Blair Oaks High School
College Attending – University of Missouri – Columbia
Area of Study – Architecture
$1,500 Scholarship Winners:
2nd Place
Hudson Williams of Neosho, MO
Poster and Article – “Deterring Young People From Underage Gambling and The Consequences of Gambling”
Neosho High School
College Attending – Pittsburg State University
Area of Study – Pre-Med/Dentistry
2nd Place
Josiah Schott of Mountain Grove, MO
Poster and Article – “A Closer Look At Underage Gambling”
Mountain Grove High School
College Attending – Southwest Baptist University
Area of Study – Finance
“As you grow older, you learn the value of money. Money control is one of the things that money affects. The younger you start to gamble, even the most simple gambling can lead you just wanting to spend more and diminish your understanding of money,” wrote Hudson Williams of Neosho, MO, whose article “Deterring Young People From Underage Gambling and The Consequences of Gambling” was published in the Wright City Journal and the poster was displayed outside of the counseling office at Blair Oaks High School.
ABOUT MISSOURI GAMING ASSOCIATION
The Missouri Gaming Association (MGA) is the statewide trade association of the Missouri casino entertainment industry. Founded in 1994, the Missouri Gaming Association works to promote responsible gaming and increase awareness of the economic benefits of casinos in Missouri. The MGA and its casino company members sponsor year-round responsible gaming programs including the 1-888-BETSOFF crisis line and referral service, Project 21 scholarship competition, and Responsible Gaming Awareness Week. For more information, visit www.missouricasinos.org.
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