NWTF Announces Winner of 2014 National Scholarship

Mallory Spring of East Fultonham, Ohio, was recognized at her high school awards ceremony as the recipient of the National Wild Turkey Federation’s (NWTF) 2014 National Scholarship sponsored by Mossy Oak, surprising both her and a crowd of her peers. The $10,000 scholarship will help Spring pursue a degree in wildlife biology and natural resource management.

Just a few days before learning of her award, Spring enjoyed a successful NWTF youth turkey hunt in Ohio with Eddie Salter and James Earl Kennamer, Ph.D., NWTF chief conservation officer. Not a bad week for anyone, especially a 17-year-old high school senior.

“I knew I had received other NWTF scholarships but this one [the national scholarship] came completely out of the blue,” said Spring. “I have always been interested in the outdoors and I hope to pass on my knowledge to others as I pursue my degree and continue with the NWTF.”

Spring is set to graduate near the top of her class despite a rigorous academic course load and a schedule jam packed with extracurricular activities. Her impressive resume of both school and extra-curricular activities includes:

• Composite Score of 33 on ACT (99% Rank in Ohio and the US)
• 2013 Ohio Delegate to Citizenship Washington Focus
• Muskingum Soil & Water Conservation District Job Shadow
• Ohio Youth Capitol Challenge Ambassador
• 2011 Ohio NWTF Xtreme JAKE of the Year – JAKES member since 2005
• Ohio State 4-H Ambassador
• Ohio Delegate to the National 4-H Congress
• 4-H Shooting Sports Camp Counselor
• 4-H County Medal Awards for leadership, achievement, forestry, community service, citizenship and rifles
• National Archery in the Schools Program – 2013 Ohio State Champion and Overall Tournament Champion

Spring was the recipient of the $1,000 NWTF Ohio scholarship, making her eligible for the national honor. She also received a $250 scholarship from her local chapter, the Y-Bridge Longbeards. To date, the NWTF has contributed more than $4.6 million in scholarships to students making up the next generation of hunters and conservationists.

“I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and working with Mallory on the Y-Bridge Longbeards Chapter Committee. She is great girl who is fun-loving, vibrant and full of laughter,” said Shawn Dickey, NWTF district field supervisor. “It was my pleasure to announce the award and see her peers give her a standing ovation.”

For information about the NWTF scholarship program or to download an application, visit http://www.nwtf.org/jakes/scholarship.html.

National Wild Turkey Federation

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.