Outdoors Enthusiast

Scholarship Winners

2026 Winner

Joshua B.

For Joshua, the great outdoors represents something fundamental to the human spirit: true freedom. He views nature as the ultimate sanctuary: a place to clear his mind, step back from the daily trials of the world, and refocus on what truly matters.

More than just a peaceful retreat, nature gives Joshua a humbling perspective. Being immersed in the vastness of the outdoors reminds him that life is so much bigger than daily routines or how we are perceived by others. We’re inspired by his thoughtful appreciation for the natural world and are proud to support his journey. Congratulations, Joshua!

2025 Winners

Person kayaking through river rapids in rocky canyon

Elizabeth M.

For Elizabeth, the great outdoors has always been a place of adventure and learning. Growing up in rural Idaho, she’s spent her days working with livestock, hiking through backcountry trails, rafting along winding rivers, and taking in the wide-open beauty of the Rocky Mountains. These experiences have shaped her values—instilling resilience, stewardship, and a strong appreciation for the balance between people and nature.

Elizabeth’s commitment to agriculture and outdoor living has taught her practical skills and the importance of sustainability. Whether she’s fixing fences in the cold or reflecting under a star-filled sky, she finds both challenge and peace in the natural world. Now preparing to study agricultural education at the University of Idaho, Elizabeth hopes to inspire future generations to respect and care for the land. We’re proud to support her journey. Congratulations, Elizabeth!

Young woman in pink hoodie standing in autumn leaves

Ashley L.

Ashley’s love for the outdoors is rooted in both curiosity and gratitude. Raised in Nevada’s desert climate, she grew up learning how to appreciate and sustain the land—traveling north with her family for lottery hunts that would provide enough meat to feed them for nearly a year. Since moving to Alaska, she’s found new beauty in her surroundings: from the playful energy of bear cubs and the quiet grace of moose to the awe-inspiring flight of bald eagles overhead. No matter where she’s called home, Ashley believes the outdoors is a place for making memories and giving thanks for the world’s daily wonders.

She’s been quite busy juggling her bachelor’s degree at the College of Southern Nevada while also being a military spouse and mother to two young boys.

2024 Winners

Hunter posing with large deer and rifle outdoors

WYATT S.

Wyatt’s deep love for the outdoors is rooted in the values his parents instilled in him from a young age. Whether fishing in the summer, hiking in the spring, hunting in the fall, or skiing in the winter, he spends every weekend immersed in nature. For Wyatt, the outdoors is more than just a place to unwind; it’s where he’s built lasting memories, like catching his biggest fish with his dad or hiking to his first mountain lake in northern Idaho.

While maintaing an impressive 3.5 GPA, Wyatt’s working hard to fund his education and overcome some unique financial challenges. Hopefully, the scholarship will help ease the burden just a little so he can better enjoy his time at Boise State University. We’re confident his dedication and love for the outdoors will lead him to success. Congratulations, Wyatt!

A selfie of a smiling young man with dark hair and glasses, wearing a bright blue hoodie with "BOISE STATE" in orange and white letters across the chest. He is standing outdoors on a rocky, elevated overlook. Behind him, the background shows a vast landscape of green and golden fields divided by a winding river or road under a soft, overcast sky.

NATHAN K.

Nathan’s connection to the outdoors goes beyond simple enjoyment; for him, nature is where he finds true peace. His lifelong quest to discover his “place” has taken him on countless hikes, but it was a hidden lake in Glacier National Park that finally provided the tranquility he sought.

Alongside his love for the outdoors, Nathan is equally dedicated to his education. Despite financial challenges, he has maintained a 3.85 GPA while also working and pursuing his Associate’s degree while in high school. We’re confident that Nathan’s determination and passion will lead to great success at Boise State University and beyond. Congratulations, Nathan!

2023 Winners

Gemini said A smiling young man stands on a boat, proudly holding up two large fish by their gills. He is wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt and black shorts. The boat, which has "PRO-LINE" and "ER" visible on its structure, is docked in a marina. The background features a soft sunset with orange and pink hues reflecting in the sky and on the water.

CONNER F.

Connor remembers fondly getting his first buck in Western Montana in the eighth grade. He relishes the time he spent learning ethics, gun safety, and other new skills and traditions from his father. He has been involved in Division 1 athletics, hospital work, volunteering, and conducting research in addition to hunting, fishing, and hiking.

Conner hopes to share the peace, joy, and mindfulness of the outdoors with his future patients after he completes his graduate program at West Virginia University School of Medicine. We are sure he’ll do great!

A person smiling warmly during a snowfall, dressed in winter gear including a black hooded jacket, a blue beanie, and a colorful neck gaiter. They have a pair of large ski goggles perched on their forehead, and snowflakes are visible clinging to their hat and clothing. The background shows a soft-focus, snow-covered forest with tall pine trees.

LUKE P.

Luke’s been hunting since age 16, spent four summers as a whitewater outfitter, and worked two winters at a ski resort. He also enjoys mountain biking, hiking, camping, and backpacking. As a guide, he would lead overnight trips and teach about Leave No Trace principles and safe camping.

Luke grew up in Colorado, earned an undergraduate degree at Boise State University, and is now pursuing a career in prosthetics and orthotics in part so that everyone, especially military service members, can enjoy all that the great outdoors has to offer. We wish him the best next year at the University of Texas.

2022 Winners

In this black-and-white photo, a young woman stands on the deck of a fishing boat, smiling broadly while holding up a large rockfish she has caught. She is dressed for a chilly day on the water, wearing a Columbia windbreaker, dark trousers, and a knit beanie with a pom-pom. The boat's railing and cabin are visible behind her, with several fishing rods extending over the calm ocean surface in the background. A patterned jacket hangs on a hook to her left, and the horizon line is soft under a clear sky.

HANNAH T.

Hannah is the daughter of an outfitter and enjoys going on 2-week elk camps with her family every year. She also loves camping, fishing, dirt biking, hiking, and has been active in competitive archery for the last 8 years. She’s working 40 hours a week while going to school, helps run an after school program, and has somehow managed to also maintain a 3.9 GPA. Well done!

Gemini said A hunter wearing a bright orange cap and camouflage gear kneels in a vast, dry grassland under a cloudy sky. She is smiling and holding the horns of a harvested pronghorn antelope that lies on the ground in front of her. A bolt-action rifle with a scope and a leather sling rests against the side of the antelope. The landscape consists of rolling hills with sparse, low-growing shrubs.

DAWNI K.

Dawni is an amazing young woman who stays very busy, volunteering for Idaho Fish and Game, National Wild Turkey Federation, Women in the Outdoors, Wheeling Sportsmen, and the JAKES program. Somehow she still finds time to go hunting and camping with her 3 dogs. We wish her the best as she works on her major in Wildlife Ecology and Management.

 

2021 Winners

A young man in a green helmet and black jacket stands with a lime-green mountain bike on a dirt trail overlooking a valley.

GRIFFIN S.

Following in his dad’s footsteps, Griffin has an deep admiration for the outdoors. He loves going paddle boarding or rafting with his family, fly fishing, archery, mountain biking, and even some spelunking with his friends.

Griffin cares about the environment he enjoys so much and plans on getting a degree in nuclear engineering and use it to help pursue renewable forms of energy to better preserve nature.

A hunter in camouflage gear stands on a rugged, grassy hillside overlooking a valley filled with evergreen trees.

DILLON H.

Dillon loves elk hunting with his dad, eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on the side of a mountain, and hoping to catch a glimps of bear cubs. He also enjoys fishing, snowmobiling, hiking, lake swimming, and exploring in general. Muddy shoes and bloody pants are a part of his every day.

Although his heart is in the hills, Dillon also worked hard to maintain an impressive 3.87 gpa in high school.

We wish him the best of luck at the College of Western Idaho in Nampa and hope the $500 helps a little bit in what has been an incredibly challenging year for his family and for us all!

2020 Winners

A young man in a black hoodie and ripped jeans sits on a rocky cliff overlooking a vast valley.

LUKE C.

Congratulations to Luke C. for being our 2020 scholarship winner!

When Luke was a young kid, his mom called him “her monkey” because he was always climbing something – trees, fences, fridges, you name it. After a few ER visits and a little growing up, Luke is now an avid rock climber and a true outdoors enthusiast! He enjoys backpacking, mountain biking, and being a ski patroller (and somehow also maintained a 4.0 GPA!). The outdoors is his second home.

We wish Luke the best at the University of Utah!

2019 Winners

A smiling woman in a denim shirt leans toward her large Great Dane as it tries to catch soap bubbles in its mouth outdoors.

KATELYN H.

Congratulations to Katelyn H. for being our 2019 scholarship winner! Katelyn is a Criminology major minoring in Outdoor Recreation Leadership. She hopes to one day be able to work with the National Forest Service. She enjoys hiking around Moscow Mountain with her Great Dane named Echo, white water trips, backpacking in the Wallowa’s, and cross-country skiing with her recreation class. Katelyn believes that “environmental therapy is the cure for any workday blues” and enjoys “withdrawing from mass communication and being able to appreciate that clean, crisp mountain air.” Katelyn works 30hrs a week to pay her way through school and takes a heavy course-load to maximize her tuition, all while maintaining a 3.94 GPA! We hope the $500 allows her to take an extra weekend or two off from work so she can get outside!