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KFC awarded a $20,000 scholarship for a single Twitter message yesterday.

The contest began on November 16th when fast food giant KFC asked college hopefuls to tweet how they exemplify Colonel Sanders' commitment to education and why they deserve a college scholarship. All of this had to be done in 140 characters or less.

KFC spokesman Rick Maynard said the tweets were judged on quality, creativity and the ability to tell the student's story. The winner, 17-year-old Amanda Russell from Long Beach, California will receive up to $5,000 per year for the next four years to pursue a bachelor's degree at an accredited public university within her home state.

The winning tweet? Russell tweeted the scholarship is 'the secret ingredient missing from my recipe for success'.

Russell's entry was chosen from a pool of 2,800 tweets and it seems as though the judging process was a success as the straight A student wants to study biology and pursue a career as a doctor or medical researcher.

John Cywinski, chief marketing and food innovation officer for KFC, said: 'Every year, the Kentucky Fried Chicken Foundation awards more than 75 scholarships to college hopefuls who are committed to both their education and enriching their communities.

This year, through one of the hottest emerging forms of media, we want to offer students a creative way to realise their dreams of obtaining a college education'.

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