Mud Hole & CCA Florida Announce 2022 Scholarship Grand Prize Winner & 2023 Participants

Things are heating up in the Sunshine State as CCA Florida and Mud Hole Custom Tackle announce the 2022/2023 Grand Prize winner and the 2023/2024 participants in the CCA Youth Scholarship Program presented by the Mud Hole Education Program. Read the official press release here.

Grand Prize Winner

Lorelei Bennett, who took the top prize of $3,000 of scholarship funds in last June's five-day immersive competition also took home the Grand Prize of an additional $5,000 in college funding.

To earn the program's Grand Prize, each of the participating students in last year's competition were challenged to return to their schools and communities to create and implement an impactful, conservation-focused program. Lorelei stood out among her peers, engaging in a series of education initiatives throughout Broward County, from grammar school presentations and junior angler event leadership to Hurricane Ian relief and podcast appearances. Check out Lorelei's final presentation:

“Lorelei Bennett was certainly a stand-out participant when CCA and Mud Hole kicked off the program last June,” said Anthony Youmans, Mud Hole Custom Tackle Education Program Director. “It was no surprise that she took home the Grand Prize."  Mr. Youmans leads Mud Hole's Education Program, which focuses on bringing fishing rod building into classrooms and youth organizations across the U.S. ... and internationally as well. The program provides tools, instruction, lesson plans, and discounted pricing, making it easy for teachers to provide students with a hands-on learning experience that facilitates lifelong skills...and keeps kids engaged and entertained in the classroom. For more information on the Mud Hole Custom Tackle Education Program, click here.

2023/2024 Scholarship Program Participants 

Earlier this year, Mud Hole and CCA Florida committed to partner on the Youth Scholarship Program for an additional three years, making a long-term commitment to the development of future conservation leaders. Similar to last June's inaugural program, CCA Florida has put together an exciting week of interactive activities, kicking off on Monday, June 11th at the Mud Hole Rod Building Education Center in Oviedo, FL.

Throughout the week, the students will compete and be immersed into a variety of activities and Central Florida destinations focused on conservation education. The program will conclude with an awards reception and banquet at Mud Hole Headquarters on Thursday, June 15th where the top 3 performing students will be awarded scholarship funds of $3,000, $2,000, and $1,000 as part of Mud Hole's Matt McGuffee College Scholarship Initiative. 

The 2023 CCA Florida Youth Scholarship Program Participants are: