Successful Haughton Student Makes Bassmaster All-State Team
The accolades just keep rolling in for Haughton High School senior Jase White!
The four year member of the Haughton High School fishing team recently made school history by being the first ever student angler at Haughton to have an official scholarship signing day with his college of choice, Drury University in Missouri.
Not only will Jase receive a fishing scholarship but he'll also receive an academic scholarship.
Add that to the announcement that Jase is the Student of the Year at Haughton and was named Angler of the Year on our local high school bass fishing trail.
All huge accomplishments to say the least, but the nationally recognized Bass Anglers Sportsman Society, B.A.S.S., just notified us that Jase is one of only 52 high school anglers from across the country to be named to the 2023 Bassmaster High School All-State Fishing Team.
According to B.A.S.S. each of the students were selected for the honor based on their success in bass tournament competition, academic achievement and leadership in conservation and community service.
To be considered for the All-State Fishing Team, a student must have been nominated by a parent, coach, teacher or other school official. Students enrolled in grades 10-12 with a current-year grade point average of 2.5 or higher were eligible.
Of the prestigious honor, White told Kiss Country, "Being named to the Bassmaster All State team is a real honor and I feel blessed to have had the success in my young career that has propelled me to this achievement. Making this team is a goal of mine every year and I’m grateful to have made it for the 2nd year in a row."
When asked how he feels this will affect his future, White said, "Being named to this team opens up many doors for me and the other team members across the nation. Everyone on this list is given a big stage that can help grow their name and put us in front of the people and sponsors we need to make it to the next level." White added, "I’m also very thankful to B.A.S.S. for giving me and the many other high school anglers this opportunity because it truly does give us the stage to showcase ourselves."
A press release from B.A.S.S. tells us they received over 300 nominations from across the nation. From these, judges selected 52 student anglers from 30 states to make the All-State Fishing Team. Additionally, 42 students received Honorable Mentions recognizing them for their tournament success as well as community service and academic achievement.
“Congratulations to all 52 anglers on being selected to be a part of the 2023 Bassmaster High School All-State Fishing Team as well as our 42 Honorable Mentions,” said Glenn Cale, B.A.S.S. Nation Tournament Manager — College, High School and Junior. “It’s always impressive to see the accolades of each applicant. Every parent and angler should be very proud of joining the team.”
A second panel of judges will review the nominations of the 52 All-State team members and select the 12 members of the 2023 Bassmaster High School All-American Fishing Team. As in All-State judging, criteria include success in high school fishing tournaments, involvement in conservation efforts and other community service activities.
The 12 finalists will compete in a one-day Bassmaster High School All-American Bass Tournament presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, which will be held during the Bassmaster Elite at Sabine River scheduled for June 1-4 in Orange, Texas.
Elite Series anglers will serve as teammates and “coaches” of the student anglers in the tournament. The high school standouts will be honored on the main stage at the weigh-in.