Lauren Wheeler, a senior at Notre Dame High School, has been named a Samsung American Legion Scholar and was awarded a $20,000 scholarship from the Samsung Corporation. Since the scholarship’s founding, only two girls from the Mountain State have been named Samsung American Legion Scholars. “It was a huge surprise,” Wheeler said, “that I received this award because I did not expect to get it. I really appreciate it and I hope that Notre Dame has another Samsung Scholarship winner in the future.”
The scholarship was founded in 1996 by the Samsung Foundation and administered by the American Legion. The scholarship is in recognition of U.S. veterans who came to the aid of Korea during the Korean War. The scholarship is restricted to students who have participated in a Boys or Girls State Program and are direct descendents of wartime veterans. One national finalist is chosen from each Boys and Girls State program throughout the country. From the pool of 100 finalists, nine students were named Samsung American Legion Scholars and were awarded $20,000 scholarships. The remaining finalists received $1,000 scholarships.
Wheeler is a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club, co-captain of the varsity volleyball team and served as junior class president. She attended the Rotary Youth Leadership Academy, the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Conference and the Governor’s Honor Academy. She is a Promise Scholar, an AP Scholar with Honor and recently earned her Girl Scout Gold Award. She also currently serves as vice mayor of the Mayor’s Youth Council. Upon graduation she hopes to attend Vanderbilt University, majoring in civil and mechanical engineering.
Wheeler is the daughter of Bill and Valerie Wheeler of Bridgeport. Her father William W. Wheeler served with the U.S. Army in the Gulf War. Her great-grandfather served with the U.S. Army in World War II and the Korean War, and her great-great-grandfather served with the U.S. Army in World War I.
