Montgomery City resident Ahna Sinclair was one of four Missourians who were selected to receive college scholarships through the 27th annual Project 21 Scholarship competition sponsored by the Missouri Gaming Association, the statewide professional association of the Missouri casino industry.

Sinclair graduated from Montgomery County High School on May 19 and plans to attend Moberly Area Community College.

The Missouri Gaming Association awards one $2,500 scholarship and three $1,500 scholarships, which are jointly issued to the winners and the accredited institutions of higher education they select.

The Project 21 Scholarship was developed to educate young people about the issues and dangers of underage gambling. 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.

“We know that young people are influenced by their peers, so Project 21 encourages them 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.

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 in February or March to help educate other students. The scholarships are jointly issued to the winners and the accredited institutions of higher education they select.

Sinclair finished in a second-place tie with Azariah Smith of St. Joseph and Cailey Cooke of Smithton. All three will receive a $1,500 scholarship. Sinclair earned her prize by creating a poster/essay that titled, “The Hidden Dangers of Underage Gambling.”

Malachi Antle of Licking was awarded a $2,500 scholarship for her first-place finish.