Trapshooting requested as an HHS intramural club sport

    Armed with information about a youth clay target shooting program, Holyoke School Board members heard a request to consider trapshooting as a sport at HHS.
    Jennifer Kirchhoefer, regional field representative for Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation, outlined the scholastic clay target program at the March 22 Board of Education meeting.
    Accompanying her in the request for consideration for trapshooting as a sport were Aaron Schlachter, Thom and Tracy Simpson and Kendall Kroeger.
    Following the presentation, Superintendent John McCleary said he will take the idea for trapshooting as a sport to the administrative council and then bring it back to the board.
    Kirchhoefer explained that she works with people to start teams and keep them going. There are currently over 17,000 athletes/coaches across the country participating in the scholastic clay target program.
    For school teams, SCTP offers a platform of things to take advantage of.
    For instance, they have a $5 million liability policy that can include the school/club as an “also insured” at no additional cost. Complete background checks are done on every coach, and training for coaches is part of the program.
    Virtual, as well as face-to-face competitions are available throughout the shooting year. They target safety in all training.
    Advocating for trapshooting, Kirchhoefer emphasized it’s a sport like any other. It requires a solid focus. She pointed out that shooting sports reach a different kind of kid, perhaps those that aren’t active in the traditional sports offered by school districts.
    She cited the sport as one more way to keep kids involved and keep them out of trouble, giving them a reason to keep their grades up.
    Additionally, there are college scholarships available for shooting sports.
    Kirchhoefer identified that there are a lot of 4-H kids out here who are already competing in shooting sports. That’s a good start, but if they want to do more, this club sport opportunity can be valuable. It’s in addition to 4-H, FFA, Scouts, etc., she added.
    Tracy Simpson said they are requesting that this be a high school affiliated team so the participants can letter and say that they’re on an HHS shooting team.
    Colorado High School Activities Association has nothing to do with the sport of trapshooting. As a result, practices or shoots could be held on Sundays.
    Costs were addressed, and Kirchhoefer noted they have start-up packages that can be purchased. Registration is $20 for youth and $40 for coaches, including a two-year background check.
    Thom Simpson noted that through the Friends of the National Rifle Association, there are grant funds available. Pheasants Forever and other such organizations can also help out and are usually willing to support safe shooting sports for kids.
    Kroeger mentioned that if a Holyoke school trapshooting club was started, there are Haxtun kids who are interested in participating.
    With much information to consider, the request will be further evaluated.
    
Superintendent contract finalized for Stumpf
    After naming Kyle Stumpf as the only finalist for the Holyoke School District Re-1J superintendent position March 6, the Board of Education officially approved Stumpf as superintendent for 2018-19 and 2019-20 at its March 22 meeting.
    Stumpf, who has served as principal at Holyoke Elementary School for the past nine years, will begin as superintendent July 1 at a salary of $99,800.

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