Scholarships
The American Legion offers a number of scholarships and other resources to assist young people in their pursuit of higher education. Each year, the Legion facilitates the awarding of millions of dollars in scholarships to high school students. There are opportunities for everyone, both girls and boys, including kin of wartime veterans and participants in Legion programs.
American Legion National Scholarship Program
Scholarship information on the American Legion National website.
Post 148 Scholarship Program
American Legion Field-Allen Post 148: Past Commander Don Rogers Scholarship awarded to two graduating Seniors of Windham High School each year. The Post provides a $500.00 to one graduating Male and one Graduating Female who have been selected to receive the Legion School Award. The School Award is awarded to one male and female Senior in recognition of service and leadership within their High School Class. Both the School Award and Don Rogers Scholarship are presented at Senior Awards Night. Selection is by nomination of the High School Scholarship Committee with Approval of the American Legion Field-Allen Post.
Dirigo State Scholarship for Maine (formerly Boys State)
American Legion Boys State is among the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction for high school students. It is a participatory program where each participant becomes a part of the operation of his local, county and state government.
Boys State, has been a program of The American Legion since 1935 when it was organized to counter the Fascist inspired Young Pioneer Camps. The program was the idea of two Illinois Legionnaires, Hayes Kennedy and Harold Card, who organized the first Boys State at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield.
The American Legion Auxiliary also sponsors a similar program for young ladies called Girls State.
Dirigo State: The American Legion Department of Maine In 2022 merged these two programs to form the newly minted “Dirigo” State (a First in the Nation co-ed program!). Participants are exposed to the rights and privileges, the duties and the responsibilities of a franchised citizen. The training is objective and practical with city, county and state governments operated by the students elected to the various offices. Activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands, chorus and recreational programs.
High school juniors are selected by local American Legion Posts to attend the program. In most cases, expenses associated with attending this program are paid by a sponsoring American Legion Post, a local business, or another community-based organization. The Post 148 Legion Family (Post and Auxiliary) in Windham sponsored five high school juniors in 2022 for Dirigo State and will continue to provide funding scholarships for Juniors to attend this highly visible program.
Each year, two boys and two girls who attend Dirigo State will be selected to attend the National level Boys and Girls State in Washington DC, called Boys Nation and Girls Nation.
Information on Dirigo Sate can be found on the Legion Dept of Maine Website and by contacting your High School Guidance Counselor.
Dirigo State is held at a Maine College during the second week of June.
Stanley Johnson Nursing / Health Science Scholarship
The Stanley Johnson Nursing / Health Science Scholarship is awarded to the student who continues his/her higher education pursuing a degree in nursing/medical or health science fields.
Stanley Johnson came to the United States from England at the age of 15. He worked for many years at the U.S. Challenge Company in Batavia, Illinois and later at Burgess-Norton in Geneva, Illinois. Stanley Johnson so loved this country that he joined the United States Armed Forces in World War I.
After being honorably discharged Stanley married Hattie Swan and together they worked tirelessly for the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary. Stanley served 52 years as Treasurer American Legion Post 504.
This scholarship was established by the Johnson's in honor of his niece, Jean Johnson, who was a British nurse. Because of the importance of encouraging our youth to become future doctors, nurses or other health related professionals American Legion Post ___ has continued awarding this scholarship to date.