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In its third year of supporting environmental leadership for Florida high school students, the Coastal Conservation Association Florida Fred Crabill Youth Scholarship Program presented by the Mud Hole Custom Tackle Education Program has unveiled its winners at an award dinner.

The event at Mud Hole’s Oviedo Education Center featured presentations and a catered dinner for the students, parents and the scholarship officials from CCA Florida and custom tackle expert Mud Hole.

First place was awarded to Katelyn Rosado of Fort Lauderdale, who takes home a $3,000 scholarship. Blake McSweeney of Pembroke Pines earned the $2,000 second place prize, and the $1,000 third place award went to Tampa’s Mia Holmes.

The students travelled coast-to-coast, from the Duke Energy Mariculture Center in Crystal River to Bajio Sunglasses in New Smyrna Beach, learning how these companies help preserve the environment as a key component of their business strategies.

The students were also able to build a custom fishing rod at Mud Hole and fish for barramundi at Osceola Outback Adventures. Throughout the week of activities, students were graded on their attention, focus, creativity, presentation, and overall engagement in the learning experiences.

Anthony Youmans, Mud Hole Custom Tackle education program director, said: “The partnership between the Mud Hole Education Program and CCA Florida to support this scholarship and these students is extremely rewarding.

“Helping to develop the future conservation leaders in our communities is a great complement to Mud Hole Education Program’s goal of reaching kids and adding value to their education experience.”

Mud Hole’s $6,000 financial contribution is supported through the Matt McGuffee College Scholarship Initiative, honouring the beloved former employee who passed away at age 28 in 2022. In addition, the Mud Hole team hosts the program’s kick off and Awards Banquet and documents the week of activities for the students.

“This year’s competitors were highly engaged and brought tremendous energy to program,” CCA Florida Regional Director, Jimmy Michaels added.

“We’re honoured to bring the opportunity to the students each year, and to work with Mud Hole on a program that will have a long-lasting impact for these students and for our Florida ecosystems.”

For the third consecutive year, the ten 2024 program participants have the opportunity to earn the $5,000 Grand Scholarship by returning to their high schools to create conservation-focused programs that positively impact their communities.

ccaflorida.org/event/ysp