Avid Hunter in Colorado Awarded National Scholarship

Growing up in a family that spent a lot of time hunting meant an interest in guns was something that came naturally to Victoria Scott of Penrose, Colo.  But it is her dedication and pursuit of excellence in shooting sports, as well as the rest of her life, that separates her from her peers.  For this commitment, Scott has been chosen as the National Wild Turkey Federation 2006 National Scholarship winner.

Scott, who plans to study chemical engineering at Colorado State University, graduated first in her high school class.  In addition, she served on the Student Council, held numerous 4-H officer positions and was the 4-H Senator for Colorado.

Her most impressive feats, however, may be on the shooting course.  An avid hunter and marksman, Scott earned the title of fifth-ranked National JROTC Precision Air Rifle Shooter in the Western U.S.  In 2005 she competed in the National JROTC Individual Precision Air Rifle Championship and finished 12th.  She went on her first hunting trip when she was seven, harvested her first deer at nine, and has hunted nearly 20 species of game.  Her countless hours practicing her shooting skills have also had an added benefit.

“The discipline I learned from competitive shooting and the associated practicing has helped me in the classroom, too,” Scott said.  “Knowing how to work hard when the time comes is very important to doing well on tests and getting my homework done.”

NWTF scholarships are set up to benefit youth with a commitment to conservation and preserving the hunting tradition, and recipients may pursue any type of degree they wish. The scholarship program is part of the NWTF's Five-Star program, making $500,000 available each year to graduating seniors throughout the U.S.  To date, the NWTF has awarded nearly $2 million through the scholarship program.

Applicants for the scholarship are judged on their scholastic achievements, leadership abilities, community involvement and demonstrated commitment to conservation. The winners of the local chapter scholarship are then eligible for consideration of the state award of $1,000 and finally, state winners are eligible for the NWTF's national scholarship of $10,000.

“Supporting our children's education through this scholarship program is just one way the NWTF can ensure we have the dedicated conservationists needed for the future,” said NWTF CEO Rob Keck.

For more information, contact Mandy Harling at (803) 637-3106, call 1-800-THE-NWTF or visit the NWTF web site at www.nwtf.org.

About the NWTF
In 1973, when the National Wild Turkey Federation was founded, there were an estimated 1.3 million wild turkeys and 1.5 million turkey hunters. Thanks to the work of wildlife agencies and the NWTF's many volunteers and partners, today there are nearly seven million wild turkeys and nearly three million turkey hunters. Since 1985, the NWTF and its cooperators have spent more than $224 million upholding hunting traditions and conserving more than 9.6 million acres of wildlife habitat.

The NWTF is a nonprofit organization with more than 500,000 members in 50 states and 16 foreign countries. It supports scientific wildlife management on public, private and corporate lands as well as wild turkey hunting as a traditional North American sport.

For more information on the National Wild Turkey Federation, call (803) 637-3106; check out our web site at www.nwtf.org or e-mail questions to nwtf@nwtf.net .