The Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA), a premier organization of outdoor communicators, announced the 2024 winners of the Bodie McDowell Scholarship Award. Through this scholarship, OWAA is providing a total of $22,000 in funding 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, OWAA executive director. “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, the awards are given annually to three or more students, ranging from $600-$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. The nonprofit currently has 630+ vetted outdoor media members and over 100 supporting groups, with plans for further growth.
