NWTF’s National FFA Scholarship Awarded to Missouri Student
National Wild Turkey Federation 05.20.14
The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) awarded a $5,000 National Future Farmers of America (FFA) Collegiate Scholarship to Zayne Aldrich of Neosho, Missouri.
Aldrich is wrapping up his senior year at Neosho High School while maintaining a 3.79 GPA, ranking near the top of his graduating class. He is a member of the National Honor Society, president of his high school’s FFA chapter and plans to major in wildlife management when he enrolls at Crowder College this fall.
The NWTF funded scholarship is administered by the National FFA Organization and requires that candidates are supportive of and actively involved in wildlife conservation and the preservation of the nation’s hunting heritage.
“I am an avid deer, turkey and dove hunter. I also love trapping and fishing,” said Aldrich. “I would like to become a conservation officer because I want to help protect the future of our wildlife.”
Aldrich is also active in the creation of new hunters, assisting with hunter safety education classes.
“Individuals like Zayne are the ones who will ensure the health of our wildlife and future hunting opportunities are secure for generations to come,” said Christine Rolka, NWTF director of education. “Students pursuing degrees and careers in wildlife and habitat conservation will always have the NWTF in their corner.”
The NWTF has funded the FFA scholarship since 1998, contributing nearly $100,000. State and chapter level support from the NWTF totals an additional $100,000 in financial contributions for FFA programs and activities.
The National Wild Turkey Federation is the leader in upland wildlife habitat conservation in North America. The NWTF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving the wild turkey and preserving our hunting heritage.
Through dynamic partnerships with state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies, the NWTF and its members have helped restore wild turkey populations throughout North America, spending more than $331 million to conserve nearly 16 million acres of habitat. Wild turkeys and hundreds of other species of upland wildlife, including quail, deer, grouse, pheasant and songbirds, benefit from this improved habitat.
The NWTF also brings new conservationists and hunters into the fold through outdoor education events and its Women in the Outdoors, Wheelin' Sportsmen, JAKES and Xtreme JAKES youth outreach programs. Our dedicated NWTF volunteers introduce about 100,000 people to the outdoors through these programs every year.
Founded in 1973, the NWTF is headquartered in Edgefield, S.C., and has local chapters in every state and Canada. According to many state and federal agencies, the restoration of the wild turkey is arguably the greatest conservation success story in North America's wildlife history.
