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Member
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| Hooked On Fishing International (HOFI) is now accepting applications for the 2006 Kids All-American Fishing Team (KAAFT). It is the second year for the youth angler ambassador program that awards scholarships and prizes. The application deadline is July 14, 2006.
The KAAFT Scholarship and Ambassador Program was created to recognize exemplary youngsters, ages 8 - 14, from across the country. Up to six youth anglers are named to the team each year, with selection being based as much on the ?non-fishing? community things they do, as it is their fishing passion.
"There are so many positive things kids can learn from fishing that they can apply in their everyday lives,? said Daniel Johnson, HOFI president. ?Through this kids fishing team program we are able to recognize and reward those young anglers who actively seek to better themselves and the communities in which they live."
The anglers chosen to the 2006 team serve as youth fishing ambassadors for one full year. With the honor comes a $5,000 U.S. Savings Bond for use in current or future education, a ?pro angler-style? fishing team jersey, a team trophy and more. Eachwinner is presented his or her scholarship and prizes at ceremonies held at the nearest Wal-Mart store in their respective hometowns.
Each All-American Team member is also invited and provided travel, with a parent, to participate in the Kids All-American Fishing Challenge and Family Fishing Festival held next summer. The event matches a KAAFT Ambassador with a national fishing pro angler in a friendly-competition fishing contest that comes with a prize for the winner?s school.
The Kids All-American Fishing Team sponsors - Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Zebco, Fujifilm, Kellogg?s, Keebler, and Castrol - are the driving force behind the youth fishing leadership program. ?Each of these leading-brand companies is known for being good corporate citizens ?for giving back to their communities and being mindful of today?s youth,? Johnson added. ?We are thrilledthat they have stepped forward in this effort.?
The application process is easy. To get an application, visit the program?s Web site, and click onthe ?KAAF Team Program? button. The forms can be downloaded and printed, or partially completed online. To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled in a public, private or home school, be legal U.S. residents, and have signed
permission from parents or legal guardians.
Applicants will need to list all extracurricular activities,community projects and organizations they are involved in, and provide two letters of recommendation submitted from people other than a parent or immediate guardian. Also required is a written essay of up to 250 words on the topic: ?Tell us about your best ever fishing trip. With whom did you fish and why was this trip so memorable??
Every youngster who submits a complete application will receive a free, colorful Kids All-American Fishing t-shirt featuring Sebastian T. Bobber, the ?Official Spokesbobber for Youth Fishing.?
Applications must be received or postmarked by July 14, 2006, to be eligible. Scholarship Program Administrators (SPA), an independent review committee, is responsible for the selection process. They conduct casual phone interviews with semi-finalists and ultimately make the final selections.
The six young anglers named to the Kids All-America Fishing Team will be announced in August 2006.
Additional information about the KAAFT program is available at the more than 1,800 Wal-Mart Kids All-American Fishing presented by Zebco on- water derbies scheduled for 2006. To locate nearby community events, families are encouraged to use the on-line derby locator at kids-fishing.com. HOFI, a Tulsa, Okla., company, is the country?s largest organizer of youth fishing events. More than eight million youngsters and their families have participated in the program over its 19-year history at events held throughout all 50 states and at U.S. military bases as far away as England, Germany, South Korea and Japan.
Media Contact:
Daniel Johnson, HOFI
(918) 459-9529
Gary Dollahon
(866)-743-8822 ext. 24
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2006 Kids All-American Fishing Team