Mud Hole scholarship winners unveiled
In its fourth consecutive year fostering environmental leadership through Florida high school students, the CCA Florida Fred Crabill Youth Scholarship Program presented by the Mud Hole Custom Tackle Education Program announced the 2025 scholarship winners. Participating students, parents and officials from CCA Florida and Mud Hole Custom Tackle enjoyed a catered dinner, video recap of the week’s activities and the winners’ announcement.
First place was awarded to James Demarco of Pompano Beach, who takes home a $3,000 scholarship. Kendall Kreuscher of Lake Worth earned the $2,000 second place prize while the $1,000 third place award went to Homestead’s Candela Valerio.
Anthony Youmans, Mud Hole Custom Tackle Education Program Director, said: “In our fourth year supporting CCA Florida’s scholarship efforts, we continue to be impressed by the quality of students competing in this program.
“Reaching kids, adding value to their education experience and helping to develop the future conservation leaders in our communities is in perfect alignment with our Education Program goals and is also extremely rewarding for me and the whole Mud Hole organisation.”
Mud Hole’s $6,000 financial contribution is supported through the Matt McGuffee College Scholarship Initiative, honouring the 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 with the Mud Hole videography team capturing the experience throughout the week.
The 10 competing students came from schools across the state, from Miami to Orange Park. This year’s efforts had the competitors traveling 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 our 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.
CCA Florida Regional Director, Jimmy Michaels added: “This year’s competitors were extremely professional and thoughtful about how they can support the preservation of our natural resources.
“CCA Florida is honoured to bring this scholarship opportunity to the students each year, and we really appreciate the partnership with Anthony and the Mud Hole Education program. Together, we are making a difference for the students and for the environment.”
For the third consecutive year, the ten 2025 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.
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