The Ike Foundation announced that it has awarded $2,000 scholarships to five high school seniors.
Students from across the country with a grade-point average of at least 3.0 and a proven contribution to outdoor conservation submitted applications for scholarships. Students were required to submit letters of recommendation, high school transcript, college acceptance letter and an essay that addressed the following topic:
Using examples from your own experience, evaluate how modern technology has impacted the sport of fishing. Simultaneously compare the difference between how you fish today and how the person who taught you how to fish fished in their day. Clearly demonstrate how the impact of technology can be both positive and negative.
Trustees conducted a blind review of all applications and essays and scored submissions based on a predefined point system. The five winners and their intended college major are:
> Caleb Brunnert - Computer Engineering - Maryville, Missouri
> Zachary Mosier - Mechanical Engineering - Kersey, Pennsylvania
> Liam Anderson - Environmental Sciences or Wildlife/Conservation Biology - Lebanon, New Jersey
> Mitchell Straffon - Mass Communication/Marketing - Fenton, Michigan
> Jacob Panichi - Marketing and Business Management - Cook, Minnesota
Founded in 2014 by professional bass angler Michael Iaconelli and his wife Becky, the Ike Foundation strives to get more kids fishing and in the outdoors, especially youth in areas where those activities are not readily available. It supports youth fishing clubs, civic groups and charitable organizations that promote the sport of fishing, the ecology of the outdoors and the responsibility each person has to maintain our planet’s natural resources.
