Hessler named national finalist

A senior at Berkeley Springs High School was named as a Samsung American Legion Scholarship National Finalist. Chelsea Hessler was selected by the staff of Rhododendron Girl’s State which was held at Wheeling Jesuit University on June 18.

She is the West Virginia first student from Morgan County to be honored with this award since the scholarship began in 1996.

Hessler was named a Samsung American Legion Scholarship National Finalist on the basis of academics, school and community involvement and financial need.

As a Samsung American Legion Scholarship National Finalist, she will join 99 other National Finalists from around the United States, each competing for one of 12 scholarships, each scholarship worth an expected $20,000.
She is currently the president of the Berkeley Springs Chapter of FFA; has varsity lettered in cross country, basketball, and softball for the past three years; is a member of the Mighty Iroquois 4-H Club; is the program director for the Miss Morgan County Scholarship Program and a member of Michael’s Chapel United Methodist Church.

The Samsung American Legion Scholarship funds come from the earnings of a $5-million endowment given by Samsung.

Samsung, in recognition of the sacrifice and commitment of United States servicemen and women who served during the Korean War to maintain the security of the Korean peninsula, joined with The American Legion to offer an educational opportunity to the descendants of war-time veterans who have served honorably.

Hessler’s grandfather, William S. Lewis, served with the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

Hessler is the daughter of Craig and Pam Hessler of Berkeley Springs and the granddaughter of Tex and Pat Hessler of Cherry Run and Jean Lewis of Berkeley Springs and the late William Lewis.