Courtesy Photo Scholarship recipients, from left, are Leah Themel, Joseph Konieczny, Elizabeth Romel, Sophie Romel of Posen High School and Brady Myers of Rogers City High School.

POSEN — Presque Isle Turkey Trackers Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation hosted their annual fundraising banquet on March 5 at the Posen Community Center. Five scholarship finalists and their parents were guests of honor.

Scholarships were presented to high school seniors Joseph Konieczny, Brady Myers, Elizabeth Romel, Sophia Romel, and Leah Themel. With monetary help from LaFarge Presque Isle Quarry, each student received a check for $500 for upcoming college expenses.

Students submitted scholarship applications which included an essay on why hunting is important to the applicant and their commitment to conservation, their involvement in school and community organizations and letters of recommendation.

The banquet is also an opportunity for friends to get together before the start of the spring turkey hunting season, which begins today (April 23). The event raises funds for scholarships and local wildlife habitat improvements for winter wildlife feed, including deer, turkeys and other wildlife. The chapter also provides low-cost seed for local food plots to members. The Presque Isle Turkey Trackers also provide domestic turkeys to local needy families for Thanksgiving and Christmas. To date, more than 200 turkeys have been given. The chapter sponsors a BB gun shoot for youth under age 17 at the Posen Potato Festival.

The banquet featured live and silent auctions, games, a women’s table, a kids table, and a delicious turkey dinner prepared by Kathy Purol. Masters of Ceremonies for the event were Joe Brewbaker and NWTF Regional Director Aaron Shaughnessy.

NWTF was founded in 1973 and the national headquarters are based in South Carolina. The NWTF is dedicated to the conservation of the wild turkey and the preservation of our hunting heritage. To join or renew your membership, visit NWTF.org or call Lisa at 989-464-2620.