Conservation Heritage Scholarship Shoot Off Draws High School Division Archers

126 high school division archers competed Saturday, July 11 at The LINC in Jefferson City, Mo.

 

 

 

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – July 13, 2020 – The Conservation Heritage Scholarship Shoot Off was held July 11, 2020 at The LINC in Jefferson City, Mo. and drew 126 high school division archers from across the state. After the 2020 Missouri National Archery in the Schools Program (MoNASP) State Tournament was cancelled due to COVID-19 and up to 4,000 archers lost the opportunity to compete for scholarships and other prizes, the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation (MCHF) decided to hold a bullseye archery tournament once the state opened to more activities.

“We felt the need to find a way to give the high school divisions archers a chance to close out their season,” MCHF Interim Director Tricia Burkhardt said. “Scholarships are very important for these students, and we are committed to supporting those who will carry on conservation’s future.”

$5,000 in scholarships were awarded to the top three Juniors/Seniors in the male and female divisions. MCHF and the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) sponsored the scholarships. Event sponsors included Orscheln Farm & Home, Titanic, Missouri Electric Cooperatives, Bass Pro Shops, Fry Family Foundation, Dolly Parton Stampede and the Conservation Federation of Missouri.

Females:

• 1st earned a $1,250 scholarship: Skylar Metscher, Billings High School
• 2nd earned a $750 scholarship: Kierstin Beshears, Smithville High School
• 3rd earned a $500 scholarship: Rebecca Schatte, Calvary Lutheran High School

Males:

• 1st earned a $1,250 scholarship: Ean Lavelle, Carl Junction High School
• 2nd earned a $750 scholarship: Gage Weist, Sarcoxie High School
• 3rd earned a $500 scholarship: Dylan Heckmaster, Sarcoxie High School

Trophies, medals, and prizes were awarded to the top three High School Division Teams.

• Sarcoxie High School earned $250 for placing first
• Fatima High School earned $150 for placing second
• Calvary Lutheran High School earned $100 for placing third

Trophies and medals were awarded to the top five High School Individuals in the male and female divisions. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) generously donated a Genesis Bow presented to the top male and female archers.

Females:

• 1st: Hope McCool, Homeschoolers of the Ozarks
• 2nd: Skylar Metscher, Billings High School
• 3rd: Emma Harper, Sarcoxie High School
• 4th: Olivia Hohler, Carl Junction High School
• 5th: Kierstin Beshears, Smithville High School

Males:

• 1st: JJ Quehl, Blair Oaks High School
• 2nd: Sammy Zamora, Sarcoxie High School
• 3rd: Christopher Edwards, Norwood R-1 High School
• 4th: Ean Lavelle, Carl Junction High School
• 5th: Colby Kremer, Fatima High School

The state tournament has seen tremendous growth over the past decade and is now the second largest state archery tournament in the nation after Kentucky. In 2019, the state tournament drew more than 3,300 competitors from more than 200 schools across the state, with 14,500 spectators cheering them on. It was Branson’s largest event. It created an estimated $6 million economic benefit for local businesses. The 2020 state tournament was expected to draw more than 4,000 competitors, as well as 18,000 spectators.

Get more information on the MoNASP State Tournament from MCHF at https://mochf.org/event/missouri-national-archery-in-the-schools/ and through the 2019 highlights video created by Branson High School students at https://youtu.be/zKdqBOY6Ovo.

MoNASP is coordinated through MDC, MCHF, and the Conservation Federation of Missouri in partnership with more than 700 participating schools and numerous supporting organizations throughout the state. More than 200,000 Missouri students participate in the program. MoNASP is an affiliate of NASP and promotes education, self-esteem, and physical activity for students in grades 4-12 through participation in the sport of archery. Statistics show that school archery programs improve participants’ school attendance, increase their self-esteem and physical activity, help them relate to subject matter, and help get kids outside. Learn more about MoNASP from MDC at https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/teacher-portal/monasp.

ABOUT MCHF

The Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation (MCHF) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1997 to advance conservation and appreciation of Missouri’s natural resources, including fish, forest and wildlife. MCHF works with donors and other conservation partners to financially support the mission and priorities of the Missouri Department of Conservation at the statewide, national and international level.