EDGEFIELD, S.C. -(Ammoland.com)- The National Wild Turkey Federation is proud to announce Rachel Hollingsworth of Jacksonville, Alabama, as the national recipient of the 2017 Dr. James Earl Kennamer Academic Scholarship.
The $10,000 scholarship, sponsored by Mossy Oak, will help Rachel further her education as she plans to enroll at Auburn University to study pre-pharmacy.
“It is an honor to receive the National Wild Turkey Federation National Scholarship from an organization that so actively promotes everything I love about the outdoors and the traditions I have grown up with,” Hollingsworth said. “I have been involved in hunting and conservation with my daddy for as long as I can remember. From a very young age, I have enjoyed being outdoors, spending quality time with my daddy, and simply experiencing the hunt. This scholarship is the recognition of a lot of hard work and also a celebration of the hunting tradition. I am so thankful to have been selected as the 2017 recipient.”
“This scholarship will award me the financial support I need to focus solely on my studies at Auburn University in the Pre-Professional program through the College of Agriculture. I hope to one day become a pharmacist specializing in veterinary medicine,” Hollingsworth added.
Hollingsworth is on track to graduate at the top of her class with a perfect 4.0 grade point average.
Additionally, she participates in a number of leadership roles and organizations including:
- National FFA
- Beta Club
- Fishing team
- Student council
She received scholarships through the Choccolocco Valley Longbeards Chapter and the Alabama state NWTF chapter, making her eligible for the national scholarship.
“Securing the future for our wildlife and wild places is a top priority. Students like Rachel ensure our outdoor legacy and hunting traditions will endure into the next generation,” said Becky Humphries, NWTF CEO. “We applaud Rachel’s academic hard work alongside her commitment to conservation.”
The NWTF is proud to have supported over $4.6 million in academic scholarships to students across North America who demonstrate a commitment to conservation, academic excellence, and who possess the leadership skills to make a difference. In 2016, the NWTF awarded 500 scholarships for a total of $205,650
For more information about the NWTF scholarship program or to download an application, visit their website.
About the National Wild Turkey Federation:
When the National Wild Turkey Federation was founded in 1973, there were about 1.5 million wild turkeys in North America. After decades of work, that number hit an historic high of almost 7 million turkeys. To succeed, the NWTF stood behind science-based conservation and hunters’ rights. Thanks to the efforts of dedicated volunteers, professional staff and committed partners, the NWTF has facilitated the investment of $488 million in wildlife conservation and the preservation of North America’s hunting heritage. The NWTF has improved more than 17 million acres of wildlife habitat and introduce 100,000 people to the outdoors each year. The NWTF Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. initiative is a charge that mobilizes science, fundraising and devoted volunteers to raise $1.2 billion to conserve and enhance more than 4 million acres of essential wildlife habitat, recruit at least 1.5 million hunters and open access to 500,000 acres for hunting.
For more information, visit their website.