Salmon Derby Nets Over $25,000 For
Youth Scholarship Foundation

Juneau, Alaska - In its 59th year, the Golden North Salmon Derby continues to raise money for Juneau's youth by holding a weekend fishing event where anglers from all walks of life have the chance to compete for cash and prizes.

Territorial Sportsmen, Inc., the non-profit association that has organized the Derby since 1947, turned to SCA Promotions for the twelfth year to cover two $50,000 cash prizes in the "High Fives Money Fi$h" drawing and a $100,000 tagged salmon contest.

Ron Somerville, co-chairman for the Derby, turned to SCA again because "the sales representatives at SCA continue to do a great job in designing unique contests that help us promote our Derby. These contests help us to increase angler participation and raise more funds for our Territorial Sportsmen Scholarship Foundation."

At the end of this year's Derby, two entries were randomly selected and given the opportunity to play a "High Fives" game for the chance to win cash prizes from $500 to $50,000. To receive an entry into the drawing, contestants had to turn in their fish to the scholarship fund.

"This year, we saw an increase in the number of 'scholarship fish' turned in," said Somerville. "We raised over $25,000 for the scholarship foundation."

At the derby awards ceremony, Brenda Carlson, one of the lucky entries chosen, stepped up to the prize board of 40 sealed envelopes. She selected one bag at a time and opened it to reveal the prize amount.

To win, she needed to reveal five matching prize amounts. After opening four $500 bags, three $2,500 bags, three $10,000 bags, and four $50,000 bags, she opened one more and revealed the $50,000 grand prize message.

"Everyone was shocked," said Somerville. "We had over 175 people in the audience in suspense watching Brenda open each bag. Anything could have happened, but she shocked us all and opened the last $50,000 prize message!"

"Both the derby and the sponsors, Coeur Alaska-Kensington Gold Mine and Kennecott Greens Creek Mining Company, received immediate press and radio coverage," Somerville said.

"We have already secured the sponsorship for next year's derby with the mining companies. We were so fortunate to have SCA covering the prize. It was a WIN WIN for everyone!"