DOWNEY - Downey resident Phil Kong has received a Johnson Scholarship to attend Washington and Lee University, the school announced this week.Kong, a graduate of Downey High School, began classes at W&L in September. He was among 53 scholarship winners. Kong won the scholarship in competition against about 200 finalists who were selected from an initial applicant pool of 2,200 high school seniors from around the country. The Johnson Scholarship program was established in 2007 as a result of a historic $100 million gift to the university. Scholarships are awarded based on a student's "exceptional academic and personal promise." The scholarships provide tuition and room and board, and allow students to graduate debt-free. W&L is a liberal arts university that encourages its students to "think freely, critically and humanely and to conduct themselves with honor, integrity and civility," according to a news release.

********** Published: November 10, 2011 - Volume 10 - Issue 30