News from the Education Committee

The summer has been busy for the LCAS Education Committee with the announcement of two scholarships for high school graduating seniors, and the completion of a senior thesis for last year’s Carroll College award recipient.

Each year, LCAS makes available to graduating high school seniors up to two $1000 scholarships to support their continuing studies in fields related to the LCAS mission. This year two students were selected: Erin Robinson, Capital High and Claire Downing, Helena High.

Erin Robinson plans to attend Montana State University in the Fall, to pursue her interests in animal behavior, evolutionary biology, and zoology with an emphasis on ornithology. In addition to her school activities she is a four-year volunteer at the Montana Wildlife Center. Her work with and interest in bird behavior, has resulted in her pursuit of a falconry license. From her letter of recommendation from Ali Pons, Montana Wildlife  Rehabilitation  Center Coordinator: ” She has a thirst for knowledge  and a presence that myself and other volunteers at the Wildlife Center admire  and gravitate towards.”

Claire Downing plans to attend Vanderbilt University in the Fall to pursue interdisciplinary studies in ecology, evolution, and biology. She has extensive involvement with both school and community environmental activities and research efforts. She has served as a volunteer with BLM and the USFS and last summer was an intern with the American Fisheries Society Hutton Fisheries Biology Program. From her letter of recommendation from her science teacher, Tyler Hollow: “Claire’s confidence in her knowledge and application of science makes her a natural leader…”

David Lange was selected as the recipient of last year’s 2020 LCAS award to a Carroll student working on a thesis with an emphasis on the environmental sciences. David’s thesis,  Shoreline Erosion and Geomorphology of Canyon Ferry Lake was presented to Carroll’s Department of Environmental Sciences in May 2021. His thesis can be viewed by following the this link.

Congratulations to all of our award recipients and good luck with your future endeavors and studies. We look forward to hearing from you as you careers progress!