The Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA), the nation’s premier organization of outdoor communicators, is proud to announce the 2024 winners of the Bodie McDowell Scholarship Award.

Through the Bodie McDowell Scholarship alone, OWAA is awarding a total of $22,000 in scholarships to nine collegiate communicators.

“It’s important to take a moment to recognize and support students and young professionals in the field of outdoor communications who are helping to shape the future of our sports, our industries and our world,” said Chez Chesak, Executive Director of the OWAA. We are hopeful that these scholarships will help inspire the next generation of outdoor communicators and sustain them in a career that shares outdoor stories with the world.”

Named in honor of former OWAA President Bodie McDowell, these scholarships are awarded annually to three or more students. Each year is different, but individual awards range from $600 to $4,400. Recipients must have clear, significant goals in outdoor communications fields including print, photography, film, art, poetry or broadcasting. This award is open to eligible undergraduate and graduate students. This year’s winners include:

// Kira Cordova - Western Colorado University

// Cassidy Motahari - University of Montana

// Anna Guth - University of California, Santa Cruz

// Vivien Felker - University of Montana

// Alexa Robles-Gil - NYU

// Hannah Henry - University of North Carolina

// Luna Boales - University of Florida

// Kylie Beker - University of Washington

"I am deeply honored to receive the 2024 Bodie McDowell Scholarship and thrilled to join the Outdoor Writers Association of America as a Student Member,” noted scholarship winner Hannah Henry, a Ph.D. Student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “I am eager to fully embrace the membership opportunities and contribute to the future of outdoor publications. My deepest gratitude goes to OWAA for this remarkable opportunity and for supporting my journey in outdoor communication."

OWAA is experiencing a renaissance, with a renewed focus on the outdoor industry and human powered outdoor sports, in addition to its broader focus on helping elevate and connect all media in the outdoors, from the hunt and fish markets to bike, ski, trail, overlanding, paddling, and more. Currently the non-profit has more than 630 vetted outdoor media members and more than 100 supporting groups, with big plans for continued growth.

About OWAA

Recognized as “The Voice of the Outdoors,” OWAA is the nation’s largest organization of professional outdoor journalists. Its membership includes writers, photographers, videographers, radio and TV personalities, digital storytellers and artists. Formed in 1927, the nonprofit association’s mission is to improve the professional skills and opportunities of its members, set the highest ethical and communications standards, encourage public enjoyment and conservation of natural resources, and mentor the next generation of professional outdoor communicators. For more information, visit https://owaa.org/ or email info@owaa.org.