Did you know that you (or the young scholar in your NRA Family) can win scholarships just for doing what you love? The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) is one of the many organizations that do so, and although there's plenty of competition for the scholarship money, you don't have to be a top marksman to qualify.
Here are the five factors the CMP requires in order to be eligible for CMP scholarships: 1) Be a U.S. Citizen; 2) Be of good moral character; 3) Be a graduating high school senior; 4) Demonstrate acceptance to a university, college, or trade school leading to a diploma or trade certification; and 5) Demonstrate marksmanship competition experience (this includes air gun, smallbore, pistol, rifle, shotgun, archery, etc.).
This year, the CMP's Scholarship Committee awarded 127 scholarships to outstanding junior marksmen and women for the 2025-2026 school year. In total, the CMP Scholarship Program awarded over $350,000 in new and recurring scholarships: 80 one-time $1,000 scholarships, 32 one-time $3,000 scholarships, and 11 one-time $5,000 scholarships.
Students receiving $5,000 one-time scholarships are Noah Meierotto, Alexa Bodrogi, Anna Block, Nathan Carbaugh, Abigial Montgomery, Ashley Carr, Roy Bauer, John Bruner, Aidian Peters, Olivia Harvey, and Owen Snook.
The CMP also granted four repeat $5,000 scholarships, totaling $20,000 over four years for each recipient. Each of the four recurring $20,000 scholarships are named in honor of past CMP Board members Harry Sieben, Carolyn Hines, Jon Bengston and former Chair Judith Legerski.
Earning this year’s four-year recurring scholarships are:
- Harry Sieben Scholarship: Dominic DeBenedetto
- Carolyn Hines Scholarship: Katlyn Sullivan
- Jon Bengston Scholarship: Hannah Goin
- Judith Legerski Scholarship: Elisa Boozer
Outside of CMP’s contributions, the Garand Collectors Association (GCA) generously donated $20,000, while the family of Michael Randall donated another $15,000 – all to be presented as additional scholarships to marksmanship athletes.
Earners of the three $5,000 Michael T. Randall Memorial Scholarship recipients are Austin Williams, Jack Ogoreuc, and Tyler Wee . Likewise, earning $5,000 GCA Scholarships are Matthew Lin, Jessa Harwood, Emily Kiselicka, and Eli Kopp. The CMP was also proud to award scholarships to those students in districts surrounding CMP’s facilities in Anniston/Talladega, Ala., and Port Clinton (Camp Perry), Ohio. A total of 17 $1,000 Community Scholarships were awarded, marking $17,000 overall for CMP’s support of neighboring areas.
To learn more about the CMP Scholarship Program, click here!
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