OJEFA Seeks Lindsay-Sale Tinney Scholarship Applicants

In honor of the late Lindsay Sale-Tinney, the Outdoor Journalist Education Foundation of America (OJEFA) will choose one aspiring young writer or photographer to attend the 2012 Southeastern Outdoor Press Association (SEOPA) conference in Johnson City, Tenn., at no cost.

The scholarship includes one free conference registration, four free nights lodging at the Holiday Inn, and up to $500 toward travel expenses.

"The monetary value of this scholarship totals more than $1,000," said SEOPA President Jill Easton, "but the value of meeting and learning from some of the most talented and prolific outdoor communicators in the country is priceless."

Bryce Butner, recipient of the inaugural scholarship last year said, "In the future, I aspire to a career in which I can help preserve the environments we outdoors enthusiasts love. Whether that career is in the field of communications, in the environmental nonprofit world or in law, I am not yet sure. However, armed with the relationships I made and the advice I received at SEOPA Conference in 2011, I feel prepared to venture out into any career."

SEOPA Chairman of the Board Glenn Wheeler led an ad hoc committee to determine criteria for the contest. He and his team set the age of applicants at 12-25. "We are so pleased to be able to offer this unique conference experience to a young person," he said. "We hope that being intimately involved in our conference will inspire the winner to continue angling toward a career in outdoor communications."

Stu Tinney asked SEOPA to honor his late wife Lindsay Sale-Tinney by helping a young person further explore outdoor writing and photography. He has pledged $500 per year perpetually for this purpose, "Lindsay loved helping young people and so do SEOPA members," said Tinney. "Their conference provides a super venue for networking, learning and enjoying fellowship with like-minded individuals. I can't imagine a more fitting tribute to Lindsay than to send young outdoor communicators to a SEOPA conference."

Additional fees and expenses will be considered on a year-to-year basis and absorbed by SEOPA or OJEFA when possible. OJEFA, the educational arm of SEOPA, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the education and support of outdoor journalists and their efforts to promote the wise and ethical use of our wildlife and natural resources.

Entries must be received by July 1. The winner will be selected by July 16. To obtain the official scholarship application and checklist please visit www.seopa.org and click on "OJEFA" or contact Lisa Snuggs at the SEOPA-OJFEA office via e-mail at lisa@seopa.org or by calling 704-984-4700.

About OJEFA: The Outdoor Journalist Education Foundation of America Inc. (OJEFA) was established by SEOPA in 2004. Researched and developed by SEOPA Life Member Gail Wright, OJEFA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation dedicated to further education, research and network opportunities in the field of outdoor journalism for students, active outdoor journalists and outdoor journalist organizations.