Natchitoches Central High School senior Kaylee Stacy has a long list of school activities and accomplishments that make her a standout among local youth.
What she’s done in her time away from school, and the Natchitoches community, has earned her worldwide recognition.
Stacy, 17, received the Safari Club International & Bass Pro Ford/Cabela’s Young Hunter Award recently during the 2024 SCI Convention in Nashville. The presentation occurred at the SCI Annual Hunters’ Convention Night of the Hunter, and she will be featured in an upcoming Safari Magazine Awards issue.
Her nomination was supported by numerous SCI chapters and local educational leaders. SCI officials said it is rare that a young woman is the recipient of the award.
The honor not only recognizes remarkable achievement as a hunter, but the recipient’s significant contributions to conservation efforts and land stewardship, along with advocacy for ethical hunting practices.
Stacy is a life member of SCI, Texas Trophy Hunters Association and other hunting organizations, and has traveled internationally with her parents, Russell and Mary Edith Stacy, to enjoy the outdoors and experience hunts and safaris around the nation and the world.
“Kaylee has many impressive accomplishments and contributions to the hunting industry and conservation efforts,” wrote Chris Clark, chapter president of the SCI’s Texas Brush Country chapter. “Her dedication to volunteering and (her) hunting achievements across different continents are commendable, especially at such a young age. It is clear she is a well-rounded individual with achievements in academics and extracurricular activities.”
Richard Kennedy III, president of the Louisiana Acadiana SCI Chapter, also cited Stacy’s commitment to volunteering and community service.
“I am perhaps most impressed that when asked about her favorite adventure, she pointed to a trip to Zimbabwe because of the opportunity to introduce Africa to family friends and visit a local school with supplies,” he said. “Beyond hunting, Kaylee is a quite accomplished young lady. She carries an excellent GPA in honors classes, is a student leader and competes in sports for her school. She is a very talented musician and was the first chair in her school’s orchestra.
“Kaylee represents the very bright future of the hunting conservation world, and we are lucky to have her,” said Kennedy.
The 2005 SCI Young Hunter Award recipient, Will Ellison, cited some of the accolades Stacy has earned in her teenage years.
“She has achieved many youth hunting and trophy awards including the coveted Colin Caruthers Young Hunter of the Year from the Dallas Safari Club, the Trophy Game Records Youth Huntress of the Year, and multiple SCI top tens including one major award,” wrote Ellison in his endorsement. “We wish there were more young women like her getting involved in the community and promoting the benefits of hunting.”
Along with hunts in Louisiana, Texas, Colorado, Pennsylvania and other states, Stacy and her parents have enjoyed hunting expeditions and experiences in Australia, New Zealand, Africa, Canada and Europe. She has taken trophy animals such as the Pronghorn Antelope, Nile Lechwe, Dybowski Sika Deer, mountain lion, Chobe Bushbuck, Chinese Blue Sheep, Rocky Mountain Elk, the Texas Dall Sheep and the Nubian Ibex.
“I hope that five years from now I am still doing what I love – hunting and working side-by-side with industry leaders in the conservation field,” she wrote in her application packet for the prestigious award.
Stacy is on pace to be a high-ranking member of the NCHS Class of 2024 and is closing in on making her college choice while staying involved in school and community activities.
