 Mike
Kromery loves the outdoors. In fact, Mike loves the outdoors so
much he decided to dedicate his life to conservation. And, with
a little help from the National Wild Turkey Federation, his dream
came true, as he was the first-ever winner of the JAKES national
scholarship in 1999.
The NWTF awards numerous scholarships through its JAKES program.
JAKES—Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship
—extends opportunities to teach young people the value of
our natural resources and the importance of conservation.
Now an active member of the conservation industry, Mike works
part time with the Missouri Department of Conservation helping
with projects in the fisheries. He is looking forward to soon
starting a part-time job with the Watershed Commission of the
Ozarks preserving streams in the Springfield area.
"I had a very good high school guidance counselor who recommended
I apply for the NWTF JAKES scholarship my senior year," said
Mike. "I knew then I would be pursuing a career in conservation,
so I applied. My current job in conservation is fulfilling because
I know I'm helping future generations have the same, if not better,
outdoor experiences I've had."
Mike used his $5,000 scholarship money to help pay for his freshman
year at Southwest Missouri State University. He earned a bachelor's
degree in science with emphasis on ecology, evolution and systematics
in December 2004. Mike is now working on a master's degree in
science with a focus on biology and aquatic ecosystems. He will
graduate from the university—where he currently has a 4.0
GPA—with his master's degree in December 2005.
 Meanwhile,
just across the Missouri state border in Kansas resides the 2000
JAKES scholarship winner, Jon May of Tipton, Kan.
Jon won the 2000 national $5,000 scholarship and applied his JAKES
scholarship money to his courses at Fort Hays State University
in Kansas. He graduated from the university in the spring of 2004
with a bachelor's degree in geography. His main emphasis during
his undergraduate education was Geographic Information Systems
(GIS) computer mapping with a focus on environmental resources.
Jon is now a graduate student at the Medical College of Ohio in
Toledo studying public health with a focus on epidemiology.
"I have a graduate assistantship to help with tuition,"
Jon said. "I work with Homeland Security drilling emergency
management for bio-terrorism exercises. I also work with air quality
testing at a local high school, and will start a diabetes study
soon."
Jon is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars,
and earned a certificate in leadership from Fort Hays State where
he was also on the Dean's Honor Roll. He is on the National Dean's
List, and enjoys being active with amateur radio, reporting on
storms and storm chasing.
While Jon is busy learning new ways to protect Americans from
bio-terrorism, Nathan Williams is learning laws to protect the
environment.
 I
greatly appreciate the JAKES scholarship," Nathan said. "I
enjoyed going to the NWTF's national convention as the winner.
I applied for the scholarship during my freshman year of undergraduate
studies."
During his undergraduate years, Nathan was the president of the
Agri-Business Club and active with the Agricultural Ambassadors
and the Faculty Committee as a student member. He delivered a
speech at his graduation commencement ceremony on behalf of the
College of Agriculture. Before heading into law school, he married
his high school and college sweetheart, Jessica. Nathan hopes
to practice law in Kentucky and work with litigation to protect
the environment.
n 2002, the JAKES national scholarship amount was increased to
$10,000. One of the first recipients of the $10,000 scholarship
was Chanda Cooper, of Camden, S.C.
Chanda received the national scholarship in 2003,
and is now a sophomore at the University of South Carolina honors
college majoring in biology.
"I've always loved the outdoors, hunting and fishing,"
Chanda said. "I was hoping to earn the local scholarship,
but didn't think I'd win the national scholarship. I'm still using
it, and it's very helpful."
Chanda wants to pursue a career in outreach education with a focus
on science. To get involved with outreach education, she is involved
with the Go Polar! program at the EdVenture Childrens Museum in
Columbia, S.C. Chanda is the editor of the EdVenture Polar Club
monthly e-mail Go Polar! newsletter announcing special events
and Arctic news.
 During
her two years at USC, Chanda has enjoyed being the public outreach
coordinator for the Professional Society of International Studies.
She is also the president of her church youth group at Antioch
Baptist in Camden. In her free time, she enjoys canoeing, riding
her all-terrain vehicle, reading and writing.
"The JAKES scholarship is designed to help students earn
the money they need for college and learn more about conservation,"
said Christine Rolka, JAKES education supervisor. "We encourage
all high school seniors to apply for the scholarships through
their local NWTF chapters."
All students receiving local scholarships for at least $250 have
the opportunity to compete for a $1,000 state/provincial scholarship.
State/provincial chapter winners then compete for a $10,000 national
scholarship.
Every year, $500,000 is available through the scholarship program.
More than $1.3 million has been awarded through JAKES scholarships
since its inception in 1999.
"The NWTF believes in putting something back into the community
where the money was raised," said Carl Brown, the NWTF's
chief operations officer. "What better way to do that than
providing scholarships for our young people?"
These scholarships are set up to ensure the NWTF has the dedicated
conservationists needed for the future and is a part of the NWTF's
Five-Star program. Applicants for the scholarship are judged on
their scholastic achievements, leadership abilities, community
involvement and commitment to conservation.
"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 the NWTF's
CEO Rob Keck.
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