It was a wonderful evening of food, fun, and camaraderie as the winners of the 2022 CCA Youth Scholarship Program Presented by Mud Hole Custom Tackle were announced at the inaugural Awards Banquet at Mud Hole headquarters in Oviedo, Florida. Read the official press release here.
A Busy Week
The students, competing for a total of $11,000 in college scholarship funds, enjoyed a week filled with conservation-based fun and activities. The week included building a custom fishing rod at Mud Hole in Oviedo, touring of the Duke Energy Mariculture Center in Crystal River, fishing for Barramundi at Osceola Outback Adventures, visiting the Sea Life Orlando Aquarium and Orlando Eye, a tour of the Marine Discovery Center in New Smyrna Beach, kayaking in the Indian River, and even a trash cleanup in Tomoka State Park.
Winners Announced!
The three scholarship winners, hailing from across the state of Florida, were chosen based on their focus, creativity, speeches, and overall engagement during the week's itinerary. The scholarship recipients are:
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1st Place, $3,000 Scholarship: Lorelei Bennett of Pompano Beach, FL  |
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2nd Place, $2,000 Scholarship: Gracie Wollard of DeLeon Springs, FL  |
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3rd Place, $1,000 Scholarship: Keyes Rodriguez of Maitland, FL  |
Scholarship Opportunity Continues
The nine participating students will now return to their high schools to create conservation-focused programs supporting their communities, with an additional $5,000 Grand Scholarship awarded to the student with the most impactful program.
Mud Hole is proud to work closely with CCA Florida on a variety of conservation projects. From oyster bed restoration to redfish replenishment to revitalizing clam populations, Mud Hole volunteers consistently get their hands dirty to protect and preserve the ecosystems in our local community. The CCA Florida Youth Scholarship Program is another opportunity to support the future of our wildlife and fisheries. With an established Education Program that has been bringing the craft of rod building to youth throughout the United States and abroad for over a decade, The CCA Florida Youth Scholarship Program was a natural partnership fit for Mud Hole. With the launch of this new program in 2022, we are excited to see the impact it will have in our communities in the future!