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The Conservancy has awarded its annual “Delaware Highlands Conservancy/Yeaman Scholarship” for $1,000 to Mia VanWie (left, in photo above), a 2020 graduate from Delaware Valley High School, and the “Vanessa Van Gorder Memorial Scholarship” for $1,000 to Kara Campbell (right, in photo above), a 2020 graduate of Wallenpaupack Area High School.

The Yeaman scholarship has been awarded annually since 2004 to a student planning to pursue a field in environmental studies in college. Given in honor of the Conservancy’s founder, Barbara Yeaman, the scholarship embodies Barbara’s vision to protect our special Upper Delaware River region now and for future generations.

Recipient Mia VanWie will attend Kenyon College in Gambier, OH, where she intends to major in environmental studies and political science. In high school, Mia served as Student Council President and Student Council Secretary; played varsity soccer, basketball, and lacrosse; was a member of the National Honor Society; worked on the school newspaper; and volunteered with Special Olympics. She is passionate about protecting the environment and participated in a research seminar her senior year where she worked to create a biodegradable straw made from seaweed.

The Vanessa Van Gorder Memorial Scholarship was established in 2015 in honor of Vanessa, who passed away on December 26, 2014. A recent graduate from West Chester University with a degree in education, Vanessa was passionate about the outdoors and loved exploring the region with her friends and family. The Conservancy established this scholarship in Vanessa’s memory and to honor her dream of becoming an educator.

Recipient Kara Campbell will attend the University of Vermont in Burlington, VT to major in environmental studies, with the goal of becoming an environmental educator. In high school, she was the class Vice President, captain of the swim team where she was a District Champion, a member of the track and field team, and a National Honor Society member. She volunteers with Special Olympics and with her local church. Kara loves nature and looks forward to working with and helping others with her degree.

To continue to inspire youth and encourage study and careers in natural science and education, contributions to the scholarship fund and other environmental education and conservation initiatives can be made online at DelawareHighlands.org or by mail to PO Box 218, Hawley, PA 18428.