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Mount Dora High School Senior Makes Positive Impact in Local Community

Oviedo, FL, May 8, 2025 – In their third year supporting Florida’s natural resources and enthusiastic high school students through the scholarship initiative, Mud Hole Custom Tackle and CCA Florida are proud to announce the Grand Scholarship winner from the 2024/2025 program. Mount Dora High School’s Joseph Brown took home the $5,000 prize in the CCA Florida Fred Crabill Youth Scholarship Program presented by the Mud Hole Custom Tackle Education Program.

“We are incredibly proud to honor Joseph with this year’s Grand Scholarship,” said Jimmy Michaels, Regional Director and Youth scholarship Director at CCA Florida. “His leadership, passion, and commitment to the future of Florida’s fisheries embody everything our organization stands for. Joseph’s contributions mark a bright future not just for conservation, but for the next generation of anglers who look to him as a role model.”

Joseph and nine other students began their scholarship journeys last June, competing for $3,000, $2,000, and $1,000 scholarship awards during the program’s week of conservation-focused activities. Although Joseph did not win one of the top three honors last June, all ten participants were offered the opportunity to compete for the $5,000 Grand Scholarship by returning to their communities and developing and implementing their own initiatives. Joesph’s efforts focused on working with kids, supporting and running fishing clinics in coordination with CCA and FWC. His efforts helped promote outdoor activities and conservation, inspiring the youth of Lake County, Florida.

“Working with CCA Florida on the scholarship program for the past three years has been very rewarding for the Mud Hole Education Program” Mud Hole Custom Tackle Education Program Director, Anthony Youmans said. “Competition for the Grand Scholarship this year was intense, and Joseph’s efforts proved to have tremendous impact in his community.”

The 2025/2026 scholarship program kicks off on June 16th at Mud Hole Custom Tackle in Oviedo, Florida. For the fourth consecutive year, ten students have earned the opportunity to compete for $11,000 in scholarship awards. To learn more about CCA Florida’s Fred Crabill Youth Scholarship Program, visit: https://ccaflorida.org/event/ysp.