Columbus, Texas – Winners of the 2024 Texas Outdoor Writers Association Youth Writing and Photography Awards were announced May 11, at the TOWA’s Excellence In Craft Banquet sponsored by the National Shooting Sports Foundation. This year’s theme was “Messaging Conservation – Today and Tomorrow”.
The youth writing and photography contest is open to any young Texan who photographs and/or writes about the outdoors and the outdoor lifestyle. This past year by incorporating students who attended the various Texas Brigades’ educational programs (www.texasbrigades.org). Texas Brigades teaches wildlife leadership development to create conservation ambassadors for a sustained and natural resource legacy while also learning about wildlife, fisheries and land stewardship. Thanks to Texas Brigades the number of entries increased dramatically!
Long sponsored by DSC, upon seeing the success of the TOWA Youth Writing Awards, the Coastal Conservation Association became involved as did the Texas 4-H Programs by providing awards for outdoor photography.
According to TOWA’s Herman Brune, “Dallas Safari Club, DSC through the leadership of Executive Director, Corey Mason, has long supported our youth writing awards, even during our lean years! We thank DSC for their past support, and, I am extremely proud to announce DSC has pledged continuing support! We are grateful to their leadership and members!”
Cash awards, accumulatively in the amount of $6,750, were presented to the winners of what will in the future be known as the “Texas Outdoor Writers Association’s Youth Excellence In Craft Awards sponsored by DSC and CCA”.
Youth Writing Award winners are: 1st Place – Elliette Stewart, 2nd Place – Emery Tompkins and Honorable Mention – Shaylyn Franke.
Wildlife Photography winners are: 1st Place – Michael Skulteti, 2nd Place – Autumn Webb and Honorable Mention – Autumn Webb.
People in the Outdoors Photography winners: 1st Place – Colby Dohnalik, 2nd Place – Jaxon Hohensee, Honorable Mention – Madeline Alvarenga.
TOWA proudly promotes and advocates the North American Wildlife Conservation Model. For more information, please visit www.towa.org.
