JEFFERSON CITY, MO – Karen McCauley of Jefferson City, Missouri, a high school senior at Blair Oaks High School has been awarded the first-prize scholarship through the 29th annual Project 21 Scholarship competition, which was developed to educate young people about the issues and dangers of underage gambling. She will receive a $2,500 scholarship towards tuition at the University of Missouri – Columbia where she plans to earn a degree in architecture. 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.
McCaultey’s award-winning entry was an essay and poster titled “How Gambling Affects the Teens of Today” that discusses how underage gambling impacts all people and communities involved and the lack of awareness about underage gambling, how widespread it is and how similar it is to other addictions.
“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 McCauley.
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.
ABOUT MISSOURI GAMING ASSOCIATION
The Missouri Gaming Association (MGA) is the statewide trade association of the Missouri casino entertainment industry. Founded in 1993, 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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