IRON MOUNTAIN — Upper Peninsula Trappers Association District 3 has announced scholarship recipients under a program introduced this year.

The District 3 organization is a group of trappers from Dickinson, Delta and Menominee counties. At a recent meeting, the association decided to award scholarship money to three high school seniors in the amount of $500 each.

Requirements include a grade-point average of 2.8 or better; attending a post-secondary institution; demonstrating leadership abilities/good citizenship; and plans to pursue further education in an area relating to the outdoors.

The winners of the scholarships are Samuel Yake of Iron Mountain High School, Riley Gauthier of Iron Mountain High School, and Ethyn Lusardi of Stephenson High School.

Yake is the son of Renee and Peter Yake of Iron Mountain. He has been on the honor roll all four years of high school. He participated in many extracurriculars, including sports, Key Club, National Honor Society and does volunteer work at his church. He enjoys skiing, fishing, hiking, golf, camping and running.

Yake plans to attend either St. Norbert College or the University of Michigan, where he plans to pursue a degree in biology/environmental science.

Gauthier is the son of Jen and Matt Gauthier of Kingsford. In his high school years he participated in student council, Varsity Club, vice president of Key Club and was an environmental club member.

He played football, where he was named all-state, as well as participating in golf and track. He also has held down part- time jobs away from his school time.

Gauthier will attend Michigan Tech University or University of Michigan on his way to becoming an environmental science engineer.

Lusardi is the son of Donald Lusardi of Stephenson. During his high school career he has participated in many activities, including vice president of Leo Club, 4-H and National Honor Society. Lusardi also ran track and cross-country, where he was granted statewide leadership awards in both sports.

He also held down part-time jobs. In his spare time Gauthier enjoys hunting, fishing, biking and hiking.

“U.P. Trappers of District 3 congratulate these fine young men for winning the ‘first ever’ scholarship and wish them well in all future endeavors,” UPTA member Jim Fornetti said.