APHA announces youth essay contest

The Alaska Professional Hunters Association, a local nonprofit, announced their annual essay contest for Alaskan youth ages 13-18.

The Alaska Professional Hunters Association (APHA) Youth Essay Contest is an annual contest that encourages young people to write about their passion for Alaska's wildlife and wilderness, and their interest in an outdoor career. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to share their love and appreciation for the wilderness and wildlife in Alaska.

Essays should describe/incorporate a passion for the wilderness and wildlife in Alaska. They should be on the subject of why you want to have an outdoor career.

Here are some details about the contest:

-Essays must be written in the traditional five-paragraph format and be between 400 words and five paragraphs long. Essays shorter or longer than 5 paragraphs and less than 400 words will be disqualified.

-Essays must be submitted by email in PDF format, with the subject line "Youth Essay Submission". The email should include the contestant's age, school, and email address. Prior winners are not eligible to enter.

A five-person panel, including at least two APHA board members and one APHA member at large, will review the essays. Essays are scored on a five-point scale addressing knowledge of wildlife, why wildlife conservation is important, what good stewards of wilderness

environment means to you, and creativity.

This is a free contest and students can win a 3 day conservation based stay at The Ultima Thule lodge and KUIU gear, and recognition in APHA magazine. 2nd Place will receive recognition in APHA magazine, gear from KUIU, and 3rd Place will also receive recognition in APHA magazine and gear from KUIU.

The deadline is October 31, 2024 to enter and the winner will be notified by November 30th.