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Sara L. Morneweck and Meredith A. Odato are headed for summer school and unlike most youngsters facing that task, they just can't wait to get started.
Morneweck, 15, from Fredonia, Mercer County, and Odato, 18, from Landisburg, Perry County, are the grand prize winners of the Pennsylvania Game Commission's 2004 Hunter Education Youth Essay Contest (look for photos at this link).
As the top entry in the junior division (ages 12-15), Morneweck was awarded a scholarship to the Safari Club International's Apprentice Hunter Camp at the YO Ranch in Mountain Home, Texas. She also won first prize in the junior division of the Hunter Education Youth Essay Contest in 2002.
Odato, who is attending Cornell University, was grand prize winner in the senior division (ages 16-18) and is headed for Safari Club International's American Wilderness Leadership School in Jackson, Wyoming. Odato won second prize in the senior division of the Hunter Education Youth Essay Contest in 2003.
First prize honors in the junior and senior divisions, respectively, went to Amanda Mills of Tyrone, Blair County, and Joshua C. Busch of New Alexandria, Westmoreland County. They will each receive a .50 caliber Knight muzzleloading rifle. Busch won second prize in the junior division of the Hunter Education Youth Essay Contest in 2002.
The theme for the 2004 contest was "Why I'm the future of hunting!"
Finishing second through fourth place in the junior division were Kelsi D. Miller, Berlin, Somerset County; Zachary J. Kyle, Darlington, Beaver County; and Jordan E.A. Paronish, Felton, York County.
In senior division competition, second through fourth place awards went to Tim Paoli, Oxford, Chester County; Rebecca L. Blakeslee, Lewisberry, York County; and Brian Pearson, Tyrone, Blair County.
Prizes in both divisions included: second place, Magellan SporTrak GPS unit; third place, Sightron 3x9 rifle scope; and fourth place, Buck Knives limited edition knife.
Every contest entrant received a Game Commission "Working Together for Wildlife" embroidered patch. All winners were recognized at the January meeting of the Board of Game Commissioners in Harrisburg. Each received a plaque in addition to the listed prizes.
The Hunter Education Youth Essay Contest is open to youngsters who are Pennsylvania residents, have successfully completed a hunter-trapper education course and possess a current hunting or furtaking license.
Details for the 2005 Hunter Education Youth Essay Contest will be included in the 2005-2006 Pennsylvania Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations, a future edition of Pennsylvania Game News magazine
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