Grossman Scholar Spotlight: Preston Young

Alex Schupp • January 6, 2021

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Hello! My name is Preston Young...

and I feel very fortunate to be one of the recipients of the Grossman Scholarship. I am a recent high school graduate from Dakota Ridge High School where I was an active member of National Honor Society, played soccer, and completed several Advanced Placement courses. Additionally, I volunteered with various organizations including the All-Stars Program where I was a buddy for kids with special needs, the Denver Zoo Explorers Program where I assisted zoo keepers and learned about animal conservation, and VOC’s Cairn program where I participated in many outdoor stewardship projects throughout Colorado.

Although I have always felt a connection with nature and enjoyed spending time outside through hiking and fishing, it was the Cairn program that allowed me to foster a deeper passion for conservation and protecting our most valuable resource, our Earth. In order to accomplish my goal of working in conservation, I am attending CSU where I will major in Wildlife and Conservation Biology and Spanish. These studies will allow me to explore career opportunities where I hope to find my niche and fulfill my commitment to the planet. 

I am ever thankful to receive the Grossman Scholarship to help jumpstart my education and provide opportunities to explore options that await me in college and in my future career. I may not know precisely what my future will look like, but I know I want my career and my passion for conservation to be one in the same. 

Preston is one of five students to receive VOC's Grossman Scholarship for the 2020-21 school year. VOC offers four $5,000 scholarships annually to eligible Colorado residents who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intend to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry related education program in Colorado.

Applications for the 2021-22 school year are open through 11:59pm on March 31, 2021.

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