(left to right) Cody Thornton, vice president of the Meade County NWTF chapter; Barry Woods, NWTF director of field operations; Walker Clawson, 2018 Dr. James Earl Kennamer Academic Scholarship winner; and Lance Kane, Meade County chapter president.

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The National Wild Turkey Federation is proud to announce Walker Clawson of Meade, Kansas, as the national recipient of the 2018 Dr. James Earl Kennamer Academic Scholarship.

The $10,000 scholarship, sponsored by Mossy Oak, will help Clawson further his education as he plans to attend Kansas State University to pursue dual majors in agricultural economics and animal science.

"I am grateful to be the recipient of the 2018 Dr. James Earl Kennamer Scholarship to help further my college education," Clawson said. "I am proud to represent the NWTF and strive to Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. for future generations."

Clawson is on track to graduate at the top of his class with a perfect 4.0 grade point average. On top of a stellar GPA, Clawson has immersed himself in his community and school by taking on a number of leadership roles, as well as volunteering his time to help those in need. From being a member of his high school football and tennis teams to playing in the band, Clawson has made the most of his high school years.

He was also selected as a member of the National Honor Society, elected Student Council president and has received numerous awards through his involvement in 4-H, where he also served as the State 4-H Youth Leadership Council president.

"As we work to Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt., it is encouraging to know we will put conservation into the hands of young adults like Walker in the future," said Becky Humphries, NWTF CEO. "The NWTF applauds Walker's dedication to his education and his desire to take care of our nation's wildlife and wild places, as well as his commitment to his community."

Clawson qualified for the national honor by receiving scholarships at both the local and state level. The NWTF presented 478 scholarships totaling more than $227,000 to 2017 applicants, bringing its total contributions to nearly $5 million since the beginning of the program.

For more information about the NWTF Scholarship program or to download an application, visit www.nwtf.org/resource-library.

About the National Wild Turkey Federation
When the National Wild Turkey Federation was founded in 1973, there were about 1.3 million wild turkeys in North America. After decades of work, that number hit a historic high of almost 7 million turkeys. To succeed, the NWTF stood behind science-based conservation and hunters’ rights. The NWTF Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. initiative is a charge that mobilizes science, fundraising and devoted volunteers to raise $1.2 billion to conserve and enhance more than 4 million acres of essential wildlife habitat, recruit at least 1.5 million hunters and open access to 500,000 acres for hunting. For more information, visit NWTF.org.

Media Contact Pete Muller at (803) 637-7698