24 DU Nat Scholar WEB- Derek Leon, Susie Konkel, Nicholas Leon, Alina Leon DU photo.jpg

Ducks Unlimited

(From left) Derek Leon, Susie Konkel, Nicholas Leon, and Alina Leon. The check was presented to Nicholas on the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Midway during DU’s 87th Annual National Convention in San Diego, California.

Nicholas Leon of Coral Gables, Florida, is the recipient of the 2024 Susie Konkel Ducks Unlimited National Scholarship. Nicholas started the South Florida DU Varsity Chapter in 2022 and recruited over 140 student volunteers from three schools. Under his leadership, the chapter hosted three fundraising events, which raised more than $160,000 for DU’s conservation mission. Additionally, Nicholas coordinated cleanup activities in the Everglades with the Florida Wildlife Commission.

“I was fortunate to be the first person to congratulate Nicholas and his parents, Derek and Alina,” said DU Chairman of the Board Chuck Smith. “What stood out to me on the call was how proud his parents are of Nicholas and how they have supported him in his volunteer career with DU at the high school level.”

In addition to the $10,000 National Scholarship, DU awarded 10 Conservation Scholarships for $1,000 each and 50 Varsity Scholarships for $500 each. The DU National Scholarship Program would not exist without the generosity of donors such as Susie Konkel, who have established endowments to support the scholarships in perpetuity.

“My grandfather shared his love of the outdoors and conservation with my late brother, Jim Konkel,” Susie said. “Jim’s enthusiasm for Ducks Unlimited inspired me to get involved. This National Scholarship means I can help pass on the importance of wetlands conservation to future generations.”

Scholarship applications are reviewed by a volunteer selection committee appointed by DU Advisory Senior Vice President Ken Carroll, who chairs DU’s National Youth and Education Committee. “I am tremendously proud of Nicholas and the entire class of 2024 DU scholarship recipients,” Carroll said. “This marks the seventh year DU has awarded scholarships totaling $325,000 to high school seniors who volunteer for the organization. Students like Nicholas give me hope and energy for the future of waterfowling and wetlands conservation.”

Ducks Unlimited National Scholarship ($10,000):

Susie Konkel Ducks Unlimited National Scholarship—Nicholas Leon, FL

Ducks Unlimited Conservation Scholarship ($1,000):

Peter and JoAnne G. Jackson Conservation Scholarship—Rylee Ridgeway, DE

Richard A. Corbett Conservation Scholarship—Anna Brannen, FL

Staley Family Conservation Scholarship—Katie Hartke, MN

DU National Development Committee Conservation Scholarship—Thomas Eatherly, MS

Irene W. and C.B. Pennington Foundation Conservation Scholarship—Preston Forrest, MS

Bobby C. Haulbrook Memorial Conservation Scholarship—Laurence “Beck” Madison, NC

Lake Forest Area Conservation Scholarship—Charlie Treadwell, TN

Lewis H. Pardon Memorial Conservation Scholarship—Noah Houston, TN

Peter Ottesen Family Conservation Scholarship—Caden Nethery, TX

Goulding Family Conservation Scholarship—Ernest Bailes, TX

Ducks Unlimited Varsity Scholarship ($500):

Ronal and Patti Roberson Varsity Scholarship—Carson Winter, AL

Gary and Debbie Salmon Varsity Scholarship—Meredith Grafton, AR

Tyler Willis Memorial Varsity Scholarship—Brooke Wooten, AR

Irene W. and C.B. Pennington Foundation Varsity Scholarship—Anna Weatherly, AR; Luke McNeil, GA

Dorothy L. Benge Memorial Varsity Scholarship—Davia Lee, AR

Harvey L. Sorensen Memorial Varsity Scholarship—Roberto Gonzalez, CA

John and Gayle Swarbrick Varsity Scholarship—Quinn Stafford, CA

Anthony and Kathleen Rose Varsity Scholarship—Paige Steele, CT

John and Betty O’Brien Varsity Scholarship—Brock O’Day, DE

Ron and Christen Sanders Varsity Scholarship—Rebecca Clark, GA

Cy’s World Varsity Scholarship—Russell Tucker, GA

Luke and Sonja Laborde Varsity Scholarship—Joshua Wilkinson, ID

Tarpy Family Varsity Scholarship—Lauren Kilburg, IA

Larry Arbogast Family Varsity Scholarship—Taylor Blanchard, IA

Wendell Weakley Varsity Scholarship—Avery Wende, KS

Jerry and Bobbi Harris Varsity Scholarship—Ty Easterday, MD

James and Sue Konkel Varsity Scholarship—Lucy Burnham, MA

Bill Young Family Varsity Scholarship—Nicholas Hansen, MN

Kaila Morris Memorial Varsity Scholarship—Elyjah Laughter, MS

Edward E. Milam Varsity Scholarship—Logan Medlock, MS

Curtis R. Hopkins Varsity Scholarship—Samuel Stewart, MS

Bryan and Kim Jordan Varsity Scholarship—Colin Thompson, MO

Montana DU Varsity Scholarship—Hudson Weins, MT

Ashton Campbell Varsity Scholarship—Klare Peters, NE

Rick Campbell Memorial Varsity Scholarship—Sam Aitken, NE

Harley and Linda Hansen Varsity Scholarship—Domenic Marconato, NV

Bob Barnhill Varsity Scholarship—Mac Brownlow, NC

Donnie E. Lassiter Varsity Scholarship—Tyler Horak, NC

Dan Molberg Memorial Varsity Scholarship—Carlee Myerchin, ND

Marsellus Family Varsity Scholarship—Jarrett Payne, OH

Donald and Heather Potter III Varsity—Scholarship Eason Donaldson, SC

Coy Johnston Varsity Scholarship—Merideth Soper, SC

Whitener Family Varsity Scholarship—Tanner Dyk, SD

Tom Johnson Varsity Scholarship—Griffin Hefton, TX

Theresa E. DeLaup Memorial Varsity Scholarship—Quaid Trolinger, TX

Wylie Family Varsity Scholarship—Liam Terrill, TX

Cain Family Varsity Scholarship—Thomas Barton, TX

Stuart White Family Varsity Scholarship—Alexandra Ebbeler, TX

Marti Powers and Steve Curry Varsity Scholarship—Kolson Uptergrove, TX

Don and BJ Taylor Labsnhearts Varsity Scholarship—Brady Bortz, TX

Oliver and Donna Aldrich Varsity Scholarship—Owen Radley, TX

Terry and Pam Andrus Varsity Scholarship—Aubrey Ellis, TX

Spread Oaks Ranch Varsity Scholarship—Garrit Burton, TX

Alexander Family Varsity Scholarship—Mason Kolby, TX

Tom Finley Willison Memorial Varsity Scholarship—River Gafford, TX

Michael and Tresha Johnson Family Varsity Scholarship—Zane Aschenbeck, TX

Dickson Foundation Varsity Scholarship—Nathan Yoder, VA

Allan and Carla Hopp Varsity Scholarship—Keegan German, WA

DU Emeritus Board Varsity Scholarship—Kellen Vohland, WY

The DU National Scholarship Endowment provides funding for scholarship recipients. Thanks to each Major Sponsor for supporting the endowment through a named scholarship. For more information about the DU National Scholarship program, please visit ducks.org/scholarship, or contact Mark Horobetz at 901-758-3892 or mhorobetz@ducks.org.