Wisconsin Outdoor Communicators Assn.

Wisconsin Outdoor Communicators Association

                                                                                                                                 President—Patrick Durkin

                                                                                                                                 Vice President – Bob Haase

                                                                                                                                 Secretary/Treasurer – Laurel Steffes

October 3, 2018

Subject: Leah Bell selected for 2018 WOCA/OHEC scholarship

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s Leah Bell, West Bend, is the recipient of the 2018 Wisconsin Outdoor Communicators Association and Outdoor Heritage Education Center scholarship. She is an undergraduate student in Wildlife Ecology - Research and Management, with an environmental communications minor.

When applying, Bell noted that the scholarship would open doors in her career field, writing: “A membership and connections to people in the WOCA would bring me closer to my dream career of writing for some type of wildlife magazine.” As a high school senior, Bell won second place in the Wisconsin Outdoor News newspaper writing contest. “First Hunt” is one of the two stories featured in the attachment to this newsletter.

Dr. Scott Hygnstrom, Douglas R. Stephens Endowed Chair in Wildlife and Director of the Wisconsin Center for Wildlife, wrote he was impressed by Bell’s drive and leadership, and that she excelled in the classroom. “In addition to majoring in Wildlife Ecology, she is working on a unique combination of minors in Spanish and Environmental Communication. Leah is active in the Archery Club, Izaak Walton League and Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society at UWStevens Point and currently serves as secretary for all three organizations. … She serves as an assistant instructor in archery for the Becoming an Outdoor Women Program in Wisconsin. Leah also works as a freelance writer for Deer & Deer Hunting magazine. She regularly conducts research and writes short articles for the editor.” As scholarship recipient, Bell’s received $1,500 and membership in WOCA. The WOCA/OHEC Scholarship will once again be offered for 2019 with an award amount of $2,000. Applications are due before January 25, 2019. See the WOCA website, W-O-C-A.org, for details. -30-

*Wisconsin Outdoor Communicators Association (WOCA) is an organization of outdoor writers, photographers, and radio and television communicators. Membership is open to anyone who is involved in outdoor communications. We meet annually to share our skills and knowledge and provide a communications link among outdoor communicators. Visit http://www.w-o-c-a.org/

*Outdoor Heritage Education Center (OHEC) in Hazel Green, WI, connects youth and adults with our natural resources. Founded in 1998 by Mark LaBarbera, OHEC’s mission is to increase the public’s understanding, appreciation and sense of stewardship for natural resources and professional resource management, including outdoor activities like hunting and fishing. Visit http://www.outdoorheritageeducationcenter.com.

Left to right: Art Barlow (WOCA Scholarship Committee), Mark LaBarbera (Outdoor Heritage Education Center), Leah Bell (Scholarship Recipient), and Robert Wilberscheid (WOCA Scholarchip Committee.