Mud Hole ready to back youth again
For the third consecutive year, the Mud Hole Education Program and CCA Florida are bringing together 10 ecologically minded high school students from across the state of Florida to compete for $6,000 in college scholarship funds.
The CCA Florida Fred Crabill Youth Scholarship Program, presented by the Mud Hole Custom Tackle Education Program, was created to provide support for students that are making a difference in their communities and to help develop the conservation-focused leaders of tomorrow.
“Partnering with CCA Florida for this initiative is one of our highlights each year” said Anthony Youmans, Mud Hole Custom Tackle Education Program Director.
“Mud Hole appreciates the privilege of hosting the candidates throughout the week and we’re looking forward to seeing which students will rise to the top. We are always impressed by the participating students and the camaraderie that develops between the competitors.”
The students will kick off this year’s competition week at Mud Hole’s Education Center in Oviedo, on Monday, June 10th. Throughout the week, the competitors will participate in a variety of environmental and educational activities, including custom fishing rod building, a hatchery tour, barramundi fishing, and visiting some of Florida’s most beautiful aquatic ecosystems.
Along the way, students will give presentations and are assessed based on their engagement in the week’s activities.
The program culminates at Mud Hole’s headquarters on Thursday evening with the annual banquet and awards ceremony where $6,000 is awarded through the Matt McGuffee College Scholarship Initiative, Mud Hole’s financial contribution to CCA’s Youth Scholarship Program. First place earns $3,000, second place takes home $2,000, and third place receives $1,000.
“We’re really excited to welcome this year’s student competitors and provide an amazing experience for them” CCA Florida Regional Director, Jimmy Michaels said.
“Based on the impressive quality level of this year’s applications, it’s going to be a tough competition.”
After the Thursday awards ceremony, all 10 students are eligible to win the program’s $5,000 Grand Scholarship, awarded to the student who returns to their community and develops the most impactful conservation initiatives during the 2024/2025 school year.
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