OGDEN - Saint Joseph Catholic High School senior Michelle Howe was named the American Legion Auxiliary Girls' State finalist to compete for the National Samsung American Legion Scholarship.
While attending Girls' State at Southern Utah University in Cedar City June 7-12, Howe was selected from the 40 applicants and 318 Utah girls who attended. As a result, she received $1,000 and is now competing against 99 other national finalists from around the United States for one of 12 scholarships, each worth $20,000.
"Howe's grades and involvement in numerous community service projects, along with her achievements in student government and sports activities such as soccer, cross country, track and cheerleading allowed her to successfully compete as Utah's 2010 Girls' State selectee," said Virginia McKay, American Legion Auxiliary District Two representative.
The Samsung American Legion Scholarship funds come from the earnings of a $5 million endowment given by Samsung, a multinational conglomerate corporation, according to a press release.
Samsung, in recognition of the sacrifice and commitment of United States servicemen and women who served during the Korean War, joined with the American Legion to offer scholarships to the descendants of wartime veterans who have served honorably.
Howe's grandfather, Gordon Howe, served with the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, which helped her be selected, said McKay, adding that financial need also was a consideration."
"If she wins this scholarship, it will be incredibly helpful," said Michelle's mother, Ann Mary Howe. "I am a retired government worker, and her father is going to retire from the government at the end of the year. So when she goes to school, she will have two parents on a government retirement income. We are so grateful for the $1,000 she received because that will help as well. She wants to be an orthodontist, and my dentist said it takes thousands of dollars to set up a practice and get all the equipment she will need. She is an ‘A' student and is good in math and science, so we are lighting candles and saying our prayers."
Michelle plays various sports and is captain of the cheerleading squad. She has been a cheerleader since her freshman year. She also was elected as a student body officer for the upcoming school year.
Her community service was also considered for the scholarship; she participated in the annual Christmas food drive for the Ogden Catholic Community Food Bank, sold coffee for her home parish of Saint James, and assisted in a diabetes collection in her neighborhood.
"It was dear to me because my aunt died of diabetes," she said.
Michelle also earned points for her involvement at Girls' State. She served as a county delegate, campaigned for and was elected a city council woman to assist the mayor and was a jury member. "This was one of the best experiences of my life," she said. "I was surprised at how much I learned about parliamentary procedure and how to use it. As a result I am excited to take a government class this year because there is another side of politics I didn't really know existed."
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