2024 Essay Contest Winners Announced!

The JAKES essay contest for 2024 was very overwhelming for our five judges this past year. The number and quality of the essays really made it difficult to select our top 3 essays for each age bracket. The final scores were very close. And the winners are:

Ages 8 & under

1st - Noah Scruggs, Cullen, Virginia - $200

2nd - Davis Tyree, Hardy, Virginia - $100

3rd - Payton Gochenour, Woodstock, Virginia - $50

Ages 9 to 12

1st - Brooklyn Erickson, Chesterfield Virginia - $200

2nd - Bethany Grace Tyree, Hardy, Virginia - $100

3rd - Maggie Gilbert, Martinsville Virginia - $50

Ages 13 to 17

1st - Jonah Flora, Rocky Mount, Virginia - $200

2nd - Karlei Baker, Edinburg, Virginia - $100

3rd - Levi Gilbert, Martinsville, Virginia - $50

Thank You to all of the youth who submitted essays. Winners will be receiving their letters and checks shortly. We wish all of our youth a very Happy New Year and lots of success in your outdoor adventures.

Tim Burton

Virginia NWTF JAKES Coordinator