In honor of the late Lindsay Sale-Tinney, the Outdoor Journalist Education Foundation of America (OJEFA) will choose one aspiring young writer or photographer to attend the 2013 Southeastern Outdoor Press Association (SEOPA) conference in Lake Charles, La., at no cost.
Stu Tinney asked SEOPA to honor his late wife Lindsay by helping a young person further explore outdoor writing and photography. He has pledged $750 per year perpetually for this purpose, “Lindsay loved helping young people and so do SEOPA members,” said Tinney. “Their conference provides a super venue for networking, learning and enjoying fellowship with like-minded individuals. I can’t imagine a more fitting tribute to Lindsay than to send young outdoor communicators to a SEOPA conference.”
Our host city is renowned for its exceptional food, Cajun culture, and seemingly endless waterways. With a myriad of possibilities for the outdoor writer and photographer, Lake Charles will be a conference to remember.
Last year’s scholarship recipient, Josh Honeycutt, raved about his first SEOPA conference. “For an aspiring outdoor communicator, there is no better way to begin or advance a career than by joining SEOPA. Because of the amazing opportunities to network, doors continue to open,” Honeycutt said. “Applying for the Lindsay Sale-Tinney award can make your dreams to become a writer, photographer or any other type of communicator, come true.”
SEOPA president David Rainer said, “I think I speak for the entire SEOPA family in saying that we feel an obligation to find and foster the next generation of outdoors communicators to ensure the outdoors legacy will be relished and cherished for many, many years to come. The SEOPA Annual Conference is a great place to meet and learn from some of the most celebrated outdoors communicators in the world.”
SEOPA board member Paul Moore has recently stepped up as the new OJEFA committee chairperson. “I am extremely excited to be working with OJEFA this year,” Moore said. “It is such a great opportunity for young media people to be able to attend the SEOPA Conference and meet and learn from some of the best outdoor communicators in the nation. What a kick-start it is to their future in outdoor media.”
The scholarship includes one free conference registration, four free nights lodging at the Isle of Capri, and up to $700 toward travel expenses. Additional fees and expenses will be considered on a year-to-year basis and absorbed by SEOPA or OJEFA when possible. OJEFA, the educational arm of SEOPA, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the education and support of outdoor journalists and their efforts to promote the wise and ethical use of our wildlife and natural resources.
Entries must be received June 1, and the winner will be selected by July 1. To obtain the official scholarship application and checklist please visit www.seopa.org and click on “OJEFA” or contact Lisa Snuggs at the SEOPA-OJFEA office via e-mail at lisa@seopa.org or by calling 704-984-4700.
About OJEFA: The Outdoor Journalist Education Foundation of America Inc. (OJEFA) was established by SEOPA in 2004. Researched and developed by SEOPA Life Member Gail Wright, OJEFA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation dedicated to further education, research and network opportunities in the field of outdoor journalism for students, active outdoor journalists and outdoor journalist organizations.