CrappieNOW columnist Lindsey Lucas receives a scholarship award from
Mike Giles, President of the Southern Outdoor Press Association.
Lindsey Lucas Receives Journalism Scholarship Award
by Tim Huffman
CrappieNow writer Lindsey Lucas received the Lindsay Sale-Tinney Award from the Outdoor Journalist Education Foundation of America (OJEFA). This prestigious award is given to young people who are interested in the outdoors and pursuing a career in outdoor communications.
Lisa Snuggs, Executive Director of the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association (SEOPA), said, “The Lindsay Sale-Tinney Award was specifically designed to provide young people with first-hand interaction with SEOPA members at our conferences. While numerous cash scholarships are available to college students studying journalism and outdoor-related subjects like wildlife management and conservation, we wanted to make an impact in a more personal way.”
Michael Giles, President of SEOPA, said, “The Lindsay Sale-Tinney scholarship award program was created by (Outdoorsman/Author) Stu Tinney to pass the love of the outdoors along to kids. The award was created in honor of his late wife, who was also an avid outdoorsman. He gave an amount of money to start the program.”
Snuggs said Toyota enhanced the opportunity by offering a $5,000 annual grant to help sponsor a conference event and bring two more young people to the meeting.
Lindsey, along with her father Kody and mother Rachel, traveled from Edgar Springs, Missouri to Daniels, West Virginia, to attend the SEOPA annual conference the first week of June where she was presented her award.
“The award is to give people, like 15-year-old Lindsey Lucas, a chance to connect with other professional people in the outdoors,” says Giles. “She is a well-mannered young lady who loves the outdoors and is a great choice for the award. She is already writing about crappie fishing in Dan Dannenmueller’s publication, CrappieNow.”
Lindsey Lucas says, “The people with SEOPA have interests and passions about the same things I do. I’ve found a group of experienced writers to connect with about my fishing and other outdoor activities.
“My writing and outdoor goals are to connect with people my age and younger, and to get them interested in the outdoors. The scholarship will help me, and the connections I made with experienced outdoor people were very important. I’ve met people who can help me with my writing. I’ve received good advice on what to focus on in college to help me most in my career. I’ve been encouraged to start YouTube, so that’s probably my next step. Hopefully, I can continue my pursuit of writing and outdoor adventures while passing it along to younger people and future generations.”
“My writing and outdoor goals are to connect with people my age and younger, and to get them interested in the outdoors.” ~ Lindsey Lucas, CrappieNOW Columnist
CrappieNOW Editor and SEOPA Board member Richard Simms said, “It has been fun working with Lindsey as she hones her skills as a writer in her monthly “Reel Deal” column. I’m proud to see other recognize her talents and can’t wait to see what the future holds for her.”
Lindsey’s week at SEOPA included meetings, social events and an active role as a teacher in a “Teach Kids Fishing” event. She helped kids learn how to bait a hook, cast and catch fish. She and her family got away for a fun afternoon of white-water rafting on the New River Gorge.
Everyone at CrappieNow and CatfishNow congratulates Lindsey for receiving a well-deserved, prestigious award.
