SD South Dakota Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation

announces 2023 State Scholarship Winners.

To ensure the NWTF has the dedicated conservationists needed for the future, the NWTF has made a commitment to America's youth through its scholarship program. High School seniors are judged on their scholastic achievements, leadership abilities, community involvement and commitment to conservation. The recipient of the 2023 NWTF State Chapter Scholarship is Jaylen Nachtigall, a graduate of Hot Springs High School in Hot Springs and a member of the Fall River Chapter of the NWTF. After graduating from last spring, Jaylen started classes at Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff, NE.. In addition to taking classes to pursue a degree in Psychology, she is also a part of the volleyball team. Unfortunately, this past May, she tore her ACL at a club volleyball practice, so she is taking her redshirt year this season. Recently, Jaylen was able to make a trip up to Butte County and spend some time with her family during a successful antelope hunt.

The 2nd place winner of the 2023 scholarship was Laura Johnson, a member of the Whetstone Gobblers Chapter in Milbank. Since graduating from Milbank High School, Laura has been attending college at Northern State University, pursuing a degree in Elementary Education.

Congratulations go out to the following outstanding students who were winners at their local chapter level:

Maria Peterson, a member of the Central Valley Struttin’ Gobblers, and a graduate of West Central High School

Parker Walkins, a member of the Glacial Lakes Chapter and a graduate of Great Plains Lutheran High School

Josie Delay, a member of the Beresford Longbeards and a graduate of Beresford High School.