School Zone

We reported in November that KFC planned to award a $20,000 scholarship to the student who submitted the best tweet.

The best of the bunch, the judges decided, was a tweet from Amanda Russell, a student from Long Beach, Calif.: "#KFCScholar Hey Colonel! Your scholarship's the secret ingredient missing from my recipe for success! Got the grades, drive, just need cash!"

KFC officials said they sifted through more than 2,800 entries nationwide to find the very best one.

"With such an overwhelming response, the judging was extremely difficult," said John Cywinski, chief marketing and food innovation officer for KFC, in a press release. "While all entrants exemplified what it means to be a Colonel's Scholar, Amanda displayed a combination of wit and drive that clearly stood out. We are very proud that she is our newest Scholar."

Amanda, who has a 3.9 GPA, is thinking about pursuing a career in medicine. She hasn't decided where she wants to go to college. Her parents -- both teachers -- are no doubt thankful for the scholarship, especially given the fact that they have two younger children to put through college, after Amanda.

Other entries in the contest ran the gamut: earnest, humorous, rhyming -- even the hint of bribery:

From Rosemary Fajardo: "As I holler to #KFCScholar for a chance to cut mom's stress, w/ 150 service hrs I also want to help others through medical & music progress."

Elina Gulumian: #KFCscholar I've eaten KFC all my life and now am morbidly obese. I want some happiness in my life. $20,000 should cover my liposuction."

Briona McCall: "I want to be the 1 you're pickin, the 1 who's always eating your chicken. Pick me for the 20k, I could use that over this way. #KFCScholar."

Sarah Smith: "I'm a lot like KFC's famous bowls. I have many layers (many talents) that all come together to make one "delicious" person. #kfcscholar"

Katlyn Glaser: "If I can obtain the money to earn my ideal Journalism degree, I will write nothing but good reviews on your food. #KFCScholar"