Benny Benson was a 13-year-old student at the Jesse Lee Mission Home in Seward when his state flag design won the competition organized by the American Legion, who collected a total of 142 entries from throughout Alaska. The American Legion recommended Benson's design to the Territorial Legislature, who unanimously passed an act officially adopting the design. In addition to a watch, the legislature granted Benson $1,000 for a trip to Washington, D.C., to present the flag to the President of the United States; however, because of scheduling problems, this was not possible, so the funds were put toward Benson's future education. The flag was dedicated on July 8, 1927, at the Jesse Lee Mission Home, and there Benson received his first-place watch.