William A. Perry Scholarship
Supporting Festival youth volunteers as they pursue higher education.
The William A. Perry Scholarship Program provides educational support to students who have served as youth volunteers with the Waterfowl Festival. Established in memory of Festival founder and former president William A. Perry, the program continues his commitment to young volunteers by helping them pursue their education beyond the Festival.
A Legacy of Supporting Young Volunteers
William A. Perry, one of the Festival’s founders, and his wife, Betty, were instrumental in establishing the Festival’s “Duck Sitter” youth volunteer program. The scholarship established in his memory continues that legacy by supporting these young volunteers as they pursue college and other forms of higher education.
Scholarships are funded through direct contributions to the William A. Perry Scholarship Fund and proceeds from the annual William A. Perry Scholarship Cocktail Decoy Auction.
2026 William A. Perry Cocktail Decoy Auction
For more than 30 years, proceeds from the Cocktail Decoy Auction have benefited the William A. Perry Scholarship Fund. The one-of-a-kind carvings will be displayed in the PNC Pavilion from Thursday, November 12, through Sunday, November 15, where Festival-goers can place their bids in the silent auction.
November 12-15, 2026
PNC Pavilion
Silent Auction
Auction winners may pick up their decoys Sunday afternoon or have them shipped.
Scholarship & Application Information
Ready to Apply?
Only students who volunteer significant time and service to the Waterfowl Festival Organization are eligible for scholarship consideration. Volunteer and Program work by any Applicant must have occurred within not less than 2 years prior to submission of a Scholarship Application.
Who Can Apply?
Before applying, please review the William A. Perry Scholarship Guidelines, Rules & Application, which includes complete eligibility requirements, scholarship conditions, application instructions, and the application form.
What You'll Need
A complete submission must include:
- The completed scholarship application
- A neatly completed essay
- A signed Volunteer Certification & Validation Form
- A third-quarter high school transcript or first-semester college/university transcript
- Any additional documentation the student feels would assist the Scholarship Committee in evaluating the Application.