Biff McGhee Memorial Scholarship

The wild has called to me; I am determined to respond. As a child, every family vacation we took often involved road trips to National Parks and other tourist landscapes because it was a trip my family could afford. My mom is a single parent and has one child enrolled in college. So, our family often lives from paycheck to paycheck. Even still, this is a very foreign concept from the wealthy suburb I am from. So, when I would speak of my summer vacations in class, I was shamed by my peers for not traveling to a European country or spending countless days at Disney World. Initially, the astonishing scenes of different locations around the nation did not satisfy my childish desire for what I thought to be an exciting vacation compared to my classmates’s adventures. The strenuous hikes up mountains and long paragraphs on historical markers seemed unappealing compared to England and the Magic Kingdom. However, as I got older, it would take a single summer of staying home to open my eyes. I realized how much I adored those vacations. My heels lacked blisters; my thighs didn’t hurt when I climbed upstairs. I missed the brisk breeze from the mountain tops in Rocky Mountain National Park that illustrated the beauty of Colorado in a captivating display of vibrant colored valleys and peaks. I longed to be in the humid depths of Wind Cave National Park, which showcased rare rock formations beneath South Dakota’s surface and the extensive amount of largely uncharted cave networks. I envisioned wading through the Narrows of Zion National Park in Utah, where a path of smooth river rocks met the rigid walls of Zion Canyon and guided me through what felt like endless miles of inviting currents. Suddenly, I felt obligated to protect the delicate nature of different landscapes across the United States. So, in my junior year of high school, I took AP Environmental Science with a surge of eagerness to learn about our natural environments. However, in this class, I discovered that many aspects of our earth’s natural beauties have become endangered. This information sent dread coursing through my body; I immediately imagined the dreary world we could live in should we neglect our incredible landscapes: Zion National Park’s river currents could dry up. Rock formations buried within Wind Cave National Park could disappear. Or the vibrant mountains of Rocky Mountain National Park could be a brown, bare blanket. Even so, my teacher snapped me out of my trance by reminding our class that this event hadn’t occurred yet. He declared that in our very lifetimes, we still have the opportunity to change things, such as saving species from extinction in the foreseeable future and preserving the natural forests that remain on the verge of deforestation. My teacher’s lecture shed light on my deep desire to pursue a career in which I can help make his declaration a reality. Thus, I strongly aspire to major in Natural Resource Management. I have an endless passion for the environment and ensuring its protection. Therefore, pursuing a career within this field would allow me to contribute to the conservation efforts of the United States and be a voice for endangered wildlife without one. By earning this scholarship, there will be more funding to support my pursuit of environmental conservation. Although I may not be able to change the course of the past, I’m determined to do everything I can to maintain the existence of our incredibly unique environment in the future.

I've loved the outdoors from a very young age. I can remember being 3-4 years old and going hunting with my mom and dad, from deer hunting to coon hunting, fishing to duck hunting. It didn't matter as long as I was in the great outdoors! My family and I are always outdoors, whether just enjoying nature, or hunting, to camping as well. Some of my most favorite and fondest memories have always been surrounded by stories that somehow involve a hunting tale. My whole family, my mom and my sister in addition to me and my dad, are all avid outdoorsman, and we frequently go hunting, fishing, camping, or whatever we can do to be outdoors. My desire to pursue a career in the outdoors also stems from a long family history of being farmers. Although I never had the pleasure of meeting my paternal grandfather, as he passed away long before I was born, I did have the pleasure of being raised not only by my outdoor loving parents, but my maternal grandparents and my paternal grandmother all came from a long family visit of farmers. My mom's family spent many years growing and processing tobacco and cotton before eventually transitioning to soybean and corn crops. They also raised cattle and swine, although not in a large scale business. My dad's family also grew crops but more in the way of corn and soybeans., and also had a larger scale marketing in the swine business. Both sides of my family have been contributors to our gathering heritage, and I'm proud to claim that heritage. Although I have not decided fully which area of agriculture I would like to be my final destiny, I am very excited to begin my studies with a plan to pursue an agricultural degree. I have contemplated many times how vast the opportunities are within this field. From being able to study livestock and how to manage them for the good of the food industry to managing forest and crops, studying how they are beneficial to the environment and processed to provide food and shelter. It's amazing how vast the possibilities that lie in securing an agriculture degree. I am excited at the opportunities that await me, and plan to carefully explore all aspects of possibilities within the agriculture realm before making my final area of specialty in an agriculture degree. Maybe a poultry farmer, maybe a crop analyst, or maybe just an everyday farmer... But oh, the possibilities!

When my Dad passed away back in 2019 from a automobile accident, it hit home hard on me, my sister, and my Mom. I was twelve at the time and going into eight grade. I will admit that my whole view on my future would change from that point onward. I had dreams of going to college to study Natural Resources Conservation. After my Father's death I figured college would be out of questions for me or my family. I thought college would be unobtainable for people like me. My original career path was to work blue collar jobs for the rest of my life like the rest of my family. None of my family members have ever been to college or pursued higher education It wasn't until my junior year in high school that I would consider college, yet I was so hesitant because I didn't want to get me or my Mother in financial trouble involving student loans or any educational expenses. My whole view on college changed after I learned about several scholarship opportunities with the help of my Counselor and Mother. Such scholarships I learned about were on websites like like Bold or were local scholarships in my home town of Penn Yan, NY. My mother would push me to apply to every scholarship that I was eligible for. She didn't want me to have the same fate as my Dad or the rest of my family. Working long hours, coming home with body aches, or having to work well into your seventies. My goal is that with these scholarships I can use them to obtain either a associates or bachelors degree in the field of wildlife management and conservation. This field is the one me and my Dad cherished when he was alive. We could hunt and fish responsibly and manage our hunting grounds for healthy wildlife that can reward us every fall when we would go hunting. With a degree in land management or Natural Resources Conservation, I intend to use these skills to my full potential to preserve and conserve the multiple habits of various living creatures that live in the state of New York I have already applied to four colleges in the state of New York that offer such majors that I can obtain. A career in U.S. Fish and Wildlife as a management officer would be my pick for a career involving my efforts in boosting environmental prosperity.

I've been entranced with the outdoors since I was two years old. What began as walking with my mom and grandma searching for bugs and plants in the garden morphed into going camping and hiking with my dad to now, being an assistant Scoutmaster in my troop. Through my Scouting career, I've gone camping hundreds of times, logged dozens of hiking and canoeing miles, and fell in love with the outdoors. My favorite part is when I see new scouts (who are usually 12-13 years old and phone addicted), or even just normal people, also be curious and wonder about the nature and animals. If they ask questions, I love helping them learn, whether it's helping them learn how to camp, basic bushcraft skills, or how to be more considerate in the outdoors. And in scouting, my biggest (human) inspirations are my Scoutmaster, who I believe knows everything, and then my dad, who I still remember my first camping trip with. But my biggest inspirations are the views that come on a mountain backpacking trip, or a cool river swim after a morning fishing, or even better, seeing a rabbit or a deer just up the trail. Throughout my life, I always wanted to go hunting, but due to our schedule and location it never worked out. That is until I was able to go to a hunter education camp in my junior year, and I absolutely loved it. Even though I unfortunately did not get a deer, I did see how to field dress a deer, as well as make friends that love the same things I do. But the most moving experience for me was meeting the teachers. We were taught by full and part time DNR employees, two rangers and a wildlife biologist. I realized that is my goal in life: to be the guy that teaches how to hunt and how to care for the environment, but is outside and not a lab or a lecture hall. Who is in charge of enforcing the rules and law and not just teaching about them. Ever since that trip, and just magnified by my scouts experiences since then, and going fishing with my friends, has led me to study at the Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources at University of Georgia. I don't know exactly what major I want, but I do want to stay in the school. Regardless of my major, I want to get additional certificates and hopefully a minor or double major in conservation, just allowing me to increase my knowledge and ability to help the outdoors. I want to do it so I can give the people after me the opportunities I had.

My name is Riley Rumpza and I love the outdoors! I graduated from Magnolia West HS in 2024 and attending college at Norwich University, majoring in Environmental science. I will be doing month-long work studies through Norwich where I will be extracting sediment from the rivers, taking them to labs, and studying them. With this degree I want to become a Forest ranger, making my career what I love doing the most, being outside. As a Forest ranger, you can live on national forest land, make rounds around the parks/trails, and work in labs and experiment on the studies you've found. This sounds like the dream job for me. My favorite hobby is the sport of disc golf, which is a very outdoor sport with lots of opportunities to explore the outdoors. I play at least twice a week whenever I can. I love to take walks/hikes and explore forested areas that have never been seen before. One of the many things on my bucket list is to go and see/explore all of the national parks in the USA. Being in NJROTC has also given me many opportunities to have fun outside. At least once a month we would have a competition for our Raider team, or our Orientation team, and I was on varsity for both. During the Raider comps, we would go through multiple team obstacle courses throughout the day and get as dirty as possible. During our Orienteering comps, we would be placed in the woods, given a map and a compass, and told to escape the forest as fast as we can, making marks of where you've been along the way. When I was in junior high my family started a garden and I feel that's also what started my love for gardening. We built three entire 10X15 boxes for our soil to start planting. When the season came, we planted tomatoes, green onions, potatoes, and bell peppers, and had a separate four-level box that we grew our herbs and spices in. Every day I would go out and tend to the garden. I would water, and spray the chicken manure, and if it needed I would put some fertilizer down. Since we started this garden I've also built a canopy from large sticks and vines that cover the garden from the sun's heat. Camping and fishing have also been a big part of my life. At least once a year, during the summer, me and my dad will go out to Lake Taylor Reservoir, in Colorado, next to the continental divide. While we're there we'll camp, do plenty of fishing, dirt biking, skeet shooting, and my favorite part white water rafting, which is the craziest during the summer because of the snow melt. I've competed in many different fishing competitions in Texas, winning most of them. In conclusion, not only do I want the wilderness to be my career or the place I live, but I want it to be my life. I've always had a passion for the outdoors that will never leave me. I want to have an impact on national forests and the outdoors helping out wherever I can. With your contribution, I can succeed in doing these things and fulfill my dream in the woods.

There's nothing like a country boy who's stuck in the city. My whole life I have felt a deeper connection to nature than almost anyone I meet. There's just something about it that calls out to comfort and ease the stresses of life. However, I am stuck in the city. So, I have my home away from home. A small town in the middle-of-nowhere, Texas is the place that I love to be. Everything from fishing and hunting to ranching and farming could be done there. A place of endless possibilities. My grandpa very quickly became my best friend. We do everything together. During the winter, we are out in the harsh weather looking for that one big deer that always seems to never show. In the Spring, we are out fishing for those pesky bass that never seem to want to bite. In the summer, we're out in the fields harvesting corn. And yet, it always comes to an end. Even before we leave I'm always asking to go back. Even though I don't get to live in the country, I do my best to bring the country to me. Growing up, instead of playing video games, my brother and I would play with toy tractors and "farm" the carpets. My favorite TV show wasn't a cartoon, it was "Meat eater", possibly the best hunting show available. Instead of trampolines or a basketball hoop in my yard, I decided I was going to raise chickens, rabbits, and goats; much to my neighbor's dismay. Despite all that, I still can't wait to go back--my home away from home. It wasn't until recently that I decided I wanted to order my passions into the direction of a potential career. My cousin, Thomas Janke, is a wildlife biologist. One day during the summer a few years back, he invited me out to a job site with him. The organization he works for coordinates controlled burns all around the state of Texas in an effort to improve quail habitat. That day we burned several acres of property. It really opened my eyes to the myriad of professional possibilities that can be explored under the umbrella of the outdoors. Today, I am committed to Tarleton State University where I will major in wildlife sciences. In the future I hope to either go into the law enforcement side of the outdoors or continue on into a masters program to become a wildlife biologist.

When i was small, I always found solace and inspiration amidst the state parks in the great state of South Carolina. From the rolling hills to the winding rivers, the outdoors have been my sanctuary, a place where I feel most alive and connected. Growing up in a tight-knit rural community, surrounded by vast fields and run down buildings, I often found myself yearning for the serenity of the great outdoors. My parents, recognizing this longing within me, would often take me on weekend excursions to nearby forests and nature reserves. It was during these outings that I discovered the sheer beauty and magnificence of the natural world. From camping beneath a blanket of stars to hiking through winding trails, each outdoor adventure fueled my sense of wonder and exploration. I learned to appreciate the intricate ecosystems that thrive within forests, mountains, and rivers, understanding the delicate balance that sustains life itself. More than just a recreational activity, my love for the outdoors became a way of life—a philosophy rooted in reverence and respect for the earth and all its inhabitants. However, amidst the sprawling landscapes and tranquil meadows, there was one person who played a pivotal role in shaping my passion for the outdoors—my grandfather. An avid outside man he was, he instilled in me a deep appreciation for nature from a young age. Whether it was teaching me how to pitch a tent or identifying plants we could or couldn't eat, he nurtured my curiosity and fostered a sense of stewardship for the environment. I still remember our expeditions into the wilderness, where he would regale me with tales of his own adventures and impart invaluable wisdom about conservation and sustainability. His unwavering dedication to protecting the natural world inspired me to do my part in preserving it for future generations. It is because of my grandfather's influence that I have chosen to pursue a career in the outdoors. I aspire to combine my passion for nature with my desire to make a positive impact on the environment. Whether it's through environmental education, conservation efforts, or sustainable outdoor recreation, I am committed to advocating for the protection and preservation of our planet. Moreover, I believe that my love for the outdoors has equipped me with invaluable skills and qualities that will serve me well in any career path I choose to pursue. The resilience I've developed through outdoor challenges, the leadership skills honed through group expeditions, and the problem-solving abilities cultivated amidst nature's obstacles—all of these experiences have shaped me into a confident and capable individual ready to tackle any challenge that comes my way. In conclusion, my journey with the outdoors has been nothing short of transformative. It has not only shaped my identity but also ignited a passion within me to make a difference in the world. And for that, I am eternally grateful to my grandfather, whose love for nature has been the guiding light in my pursuit of a career in the outdoors. With every step I take and every mountain I climb, I carry his legacy forward, knowing that my love for the outdoors will continue to inspire and empower me for years to come.

Ever since I was a young child I remember spending hours with my dad and brothers in the hunting stand munching on peanut butter crackers or traipsing through the woods with my eyes peeled for squirrels. Looking back, I now know why we never killed much when I went hunting. And though my interests have changed over the years from hunting squirrels to fishing and from sitting in a deer stand to working with my show cows, I always find myself drawn to the outdoors. Maybe it is because that is where I spent most of my childhood or maybe it’s for the simple fact that the outdoors are my peace on earth. My love for the outdoors has grown with me as I have gotten older and while there are a number of people who have encouraged me to look to agriculture and the outdoors for my future career, two very special people have influenced me the most. Starting my freshman year of high school I was placed in an Agriculture Foundations class in school. This is where I was introduced to my FFA advisor Mrs.Kay. Mrs.Kay constantly pushed me out of my comfort zone and into competitions and conferences that taught me about leadership and team work. One of these competitions was showing cattle and hogs. She introduced me to a side of agriculture I had never seen before and I instantly fell in love. While it can be challenging at times, I throughly enjoy the process of caring for and raising livestock. She introduced me to female agricultural producers in my area and she showed me that there are women who make a living farming and ranching. My step dad has been my second biggest influence. He came into my life at the age of nine. Together we bonded over our love for garden picked cucumbers and freshwater. He is an advocate for conservation and he spends most of his summer on a boat. He may be fishing but most commonly he can be found pulling my siblings and I on the tube and wakeboard on the lake. Through his guidance he showed me that there is no shame in working with your hands or wanting to have a career in something others might call you crazy for. His appreciation for the outdoors helped to teach me the value of the people in the agriculture industry. Through surrounding myself with people who love the outdoors I have found a deeper appreciation for my time spent in the Apalachicola National Forest and River Basin. I will forever cherish the memories I have made working cows for show season, hunting with my dad, and spending time on Lake Seminole with my stepdad. Had I not grown up surrounded by these things I truly believe I would not be pursuing an agricultural degree.