INDIANAPOLIS — Samsung American Legion Scholarship has selected Rylie Fairbank, a senior at Hays High School, as one of 10 elite scholars. Fairbank, chosen from more than 4,600 applicants who attended Boys Nation and Girls Nation, will receive a $10,000 scholarship for undergraduate expenses and a trip to Washington to be honored for their achievements.
The scholarship, endowed by electronics leader Samsung in appreciation of U.S. veterans, particularly those who served during the Korean War, has been administered by The American Legion since 1996. Direct descendants of war-time veterans are eligible for the scholarship. Fairbank's grandfather, a Korean War veteran, died in late January.
To become a scholarship recipient, applicants must first be selected as a state finalist from the American Legion Boys State or American Legion Auxiliary Girls State program.
The American Legion Committee on Youth Education then selects 10 applicants based on academic excellence and dedication to community service.
In Washington, scholarship recipients will tour national monuments, visit the Samsung Solutions Center, and meet with members of Congress to discuss veterans' legislation.
Fairbank plans to start her education with a pre-medical major in biology, with minors in psychology and romance languages, with the goal of becoming a leading pediatric anesthesiologist in the Midwest region. She also hopes to someday work alongside Samsung in developing machine learning and artificial intelligence technology that will revolutionize anesthesiology and improve patient experience and care.
— News release