Samantha often sat alone, listening carefully but rarely speaking up. Yet by the end of her first week of field school with us, something began to shift. As she completed her trifold display on fly fishing, the room cheered, and we saw her smile. That single moment meant more to our team than she could ever know. It felt like a small victory, the kind that reminds you why this work matters.
Samantha smiling after completing her trifold.
Samantha returned to the Academy for our weekend programs, the Forestry Advanced Educational Training and the spring Stepping Stones Program, and it was clear she was growing more comfortable in this space. She showed up consistently, engaged more confidently, and became one of our most committed Pay It Forward fundraisers, attending every work session on Zoom and giving her time wholeheartedly.
Then this past summer, Samantha returned to field school as a Youth Mentor and absolutely crushed it. She led her team through their classroom activities, team-building challenges, and group projects. The once soft-spoken student was now cheering at the top of her lungs when her friends answered a question correctly during nightly trivia.
Samantha leading her team.
Nobody cheers louder than Samantha.
Above all, the moment that touched everyone in the room that day was when Samantha volunteered to recite the Pennsylvania Environmental Rights Amendment in front of everyone at our closing ceremonies. And she didn’t just recite it. You could feel her words. Her voice carried conviction, passion, and confidence as she spoke directly to every person listening.
With our staff holding back tears and Samantha’s parents beaming with pride, the entire room took in her words. It is a moment that will stick with us, but more importantly, it represents the core of WLA’s mission. The Academy isn’t just educating 100+ students each summer – we are transforming youth into leaders.
Nobody cheers louder than Samantha.
Her mom shared this reflection with us, “Samantha had the pleasure of attending the Wildlife Leadership Academy, and it changed her life for the better. She told me she wants to go to college in a conservation field after she graduates high school – she will do whatever it takes to make it happen. Samantha said she wouldn’t have gotten the experience and confidence she needed without this great opportunity.”
The student who once quietly sat on the sidelines is now one of the loudest voices in the room – advocating, leading, and (most importantly) believing in herself. Stories like Samantha’s are exactly why scholarships matter. Your support doesn’t just fund a program; it helps young people discover who they are capable of becoming.
In celebration of WLA’s 20th Anniversary, we are running a $20K in 20 Days scholarship campaign, an opportunity to kickstart fundraising for the 2026 field school season. Each year, more than 50% of applicants request some form of scholarship support. Give today and help more students grow into leaders like Samantha. Click here to make a gift.
20K in 20 Days: Samantha’s Transformative Experience
Posted: January 17, 2026 by Katie Mace
Samantha often sat alone, listening carefully but rarely speaking up. Yet by the end of her first week of field school with us, something began to shift. As she completed her trifold display on fly fishing, the room cheered, and we saw her smile. That single moment meant more to our team than she could ever know. It felt like a small victory, the kind that reminds you why this work matters.
Samantha returned to the Academy for our weekend programs, the Forestry Advanced Educational Training and the spring Stepping Stones Program, and it was clear she was growing more comfortable in this space. She showed up consistently, engaged more confidently, and became one of our most committed Pay It Forward fundraisers, attending every work session on Zoom and giving her time wholeheartedly.
Then this past summer, Samantha returned to field school as a Youth Mentor and absolutely crushed it. She led her team through their classroom activities, team-building challenges, and group projects. The once soft-spoken student was now cheering at the top of her lungs when her friends answered a question correctly during nightly trivia.
Above all, the moment that touched everyone in the room that day was when Samantha volunteered to recite the Pennsylvania Environmental Rights Amendment in front of everyone at our closing ceremonies. And she didn’t just recite it. You could feel her words. Her voice carried conviction, passion, and confidence as she spoke directly to every person listening.
With our staff holding back tears and Samantha’s parents beaming with pride, the entire room took in her words. It is a moment that will stick with us, but more importantly, it represents the core of WLA’s mission. The Academy isn’t just educating 100+ students each summer – we are transforming youth into leaders.
Her mom shared this reflection with us, “Samantha had the pleasure of attending the Wildlife Leadership Academy, and it changed her life for the better. She told me she wants to go to college in a conservation field after she graduates high school – she will do whatever it takes to make it happen. Samantha said she wouldn’t have gotten the experience and confidence she needed without this great opportunity.”
The student who once quietly sat on the sidelines is now one of the loudest voices in the room – advocating, leading, and (most importantly) believing in herself. Stories like Samantha’s are exactly why scholarships matter. Your support doesn’t just fund a program; it helps young people discover who they are capable of becoming.
In celebration of WLA’s 20th Anniversary, we are running a $20K in 20 Days scholarship campaign, an opportunity to kickstart fundraising for the 2026 field school season. Each year, more than 50% of applicants request some form of scholarship support. Give today and help more students grow into leaders like Samantha. Click here to make a gift.
Category: Youth Blog Tags: featured