Courtesy Photo Brenda Herman, Executive Director of the Alpena Community College Foundation, center, presents awards to Alpena Longbeards Scholarship recipients Chris Wedding, left, and Ashleigh Morgan, right.

ALPENA — The Alpena Longbeards club recently awarded two $500 scholarships to Alpena Community College students Ashleigh Morgan and Chris Wedding for the 2020-21 academic year.

Ashleigh is an ACC sophomore, working toward earning a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology. Her dream job is to be a wildlife biologist with the Department of Natural Resources.

Chris is also an ACC sophomore who plans to transfer to Lake Superior State University where he will earn a bachelor’s degree in fisheries management. His ultimate goal is to work as a fisheries biologist for the DNR.

The Longbeards club established the scholarship fund with the ACC Foundation in 2010 and annually provides scholarships to students pursuing an education in the field of natural resources.The group actively promotes wildlife conservation and education for area youth.

Club activities are varied and include a catch and release fishing day at Paxton Quarry, a youth shooting day at the Alpena Sportsmen’s Club, and a day for youth to build bird houses and feeders. Members of the Alpena Longbeards also purchase and distribute corn for wild turkeys to aid with their winter survival.

An annual membership banquet is held to raise funds to support the many programs they sponsor. For more information about the Longbeards, contact Edith Utecht at 989-354-4964.