Three Virginia College Students Receive Scholarships at  2007 Conference

Three students from Virginia Tech have received scholarships from NAAEE. Beginning in 2006, NAAEE has awarded scholarships to students in the state hosting the conference, to grow the next generation of environmental educators. 

Students receiving the $1,000 scholarships in 2007 are:

Erica Baugh – Baugh is majoring in Natural Resources Sciences with a minor in Geology and Forestry, and in the process of becoming a Virginia Master Naturalist.  She has held summer positions at NOAA, the U.S. Forest Service, and the North Carolina Coastal Reserve. Through the College of Natural Resources, she has helped deliver a Wood Magic Show and run an after school Nature Club in a local elementary school.

John Burke – A Fisheries Science major, Burke worked at nature centers around his home town of Arlington, VA, both as a volunteer and an employee. He has also volunteered with the Department of the Interior for National Fishing Day, instructing inner-city children in fishing techniques and stewardship. In college, he’s done weekly cleanups on a small creek, and done creek-related research using the facilities at the Virginia Tech water quality lab. 

Jessica Stewart. -  Stewart is majoring in Natural Resource Conservation Education, with a goal of attaining a Master’s in Education and teaching middle school. In high school, she attended the Commonwealth Governor’s School, which required a year-long independent study project.  Working with a local nonprofit, Stewart began studying a dam on the Rappahannock River. She produced a one-day class on water issues, which she taught at a local middle school. In college, she has interned at the George Washington National Forest, working with elementary students.

All three attended the NAAEE annual conference in Virginia Beach on November 17 to receive their scholarships from NAAEE Executive Director Brian Day and President Martha Monroe.