She couldn't believe her dream had become a reality. She'll be speaking this year. I'll be there, too, proudly serving as national spokesman for the State-Fish Art Contest and Expo. Bud Grant will be on hand, along with lots of other notables. There's a lesson here for sportsmen.
Sportsmen have a reputation for being an apathetic lot.
I'm afraid it's a reputation that's often well deserved. Some send off their membership dues to a conservation organization and a handful even get involved in fund-raisers, but precious few are ready to stand up and be counted. Kate Di Leo stood up to be counted. And with the support of her dad, she actually made a difference. Across the country, young people who may have been headed towards the anti camp will wind up being allies of the outdoor sports.