Sunday, July 5, 2009 — N.C. House Rep. Justin Burr recently presented a North Carolina flag that had flown over the state capitol to the Park Ridge Christian School Sharpshooters Team of Albemarle.
The Sharpshooters team is the 2009 North Carolina Youth Hunter Education Challenge Junior Division Champions and will represent the state of North Carolina in the National Rifle Association (NRA) International Youth Hunter Education Challenge to be conducted July 27-31 in Raton, New Mexico The team will carry the state flag during opening and closing ceremonies.
“We are proud of our local Park Ridge Sharpshooters who will represent our State in the Junior Division international competition. They have earned this honor after many hours of practice and study time for examinations and winning county, district and state competitions. I extend congratulations and best wishes on behalf of our state and Stanly County,” Burr said.
Recognized as the most comprehensive youth hunting program anywhere in North America, the Youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC) is NRA’s “graduate studies” program in outdoor skills and safety training for young hunters. Open only to those who have completed hunter-safety training at the state or provincial level, the program is conducted under simulated hunting conditions to provide the best practical environment for reinforcing and testing a young hunter’s skills.
From rifle, bow and muzzleloader shooting at life-sized targets, to wildlife identification, to map-and-compass orienteering and more, YHEC participants get hands-on training in eight skills areas, giving them expertise in all methods of take and all types of game.
State- and provincial-level YHEC programs, hosted by volunteer instructors, draw an estimated 50,000 youths each year. Top ranked individuals advance to the annual NRA International Youth Hunter Education Challenge, the pinnacle of the program. Since its inception in 1985, YHEC has reached more than a million young sportsmen and women.
In only its second year of existence, the Park Ridge Sharpshooters won first place in the 2009 North Carolina Hunter Skills State Championship - Middle School Division, on April 25 in Ellerbe to qualify for the international competition. Twenty-five teams from across the state competed in the Middle School division.
Along with receiving the honor of first place as a team, two members of the team also achieved individual recognition at the state tournament. Hunter Efird won first place in the archery competition with a score of 198, shooting 12 bulls eyes, out of 200 possible points. Lea Efird won second place in the overall best score on all events in the state tournament with a score of 759 out of 800 total points.
Fundraising efforts are currently under way to support the team’s expenses for international competition in New Mexico. Traditional state funding to support the winning junior and senior division teams has been frozen.
A Sporting Clays Competition (50-clay event) will be held July 10 at The Fork Farm, 3200 Fork Road, Norwood, to raise money for the team. Four-person teams or individuals may compete. Facilities open at 12:30 p.m. with a Handicap Auction for members of the Park Ridge Sharpshooters Team at 1 p.m. Shooting begins at 1:30 p.m.
There will also be a 5-Stand Skeet competition, team prizes, auction, door prizes and dinner for participants.
For details and entry form, contact Wendy or Vicky at Wendy’s Embroidered Specialties by calling (704) 982-5978 or e-mail embspec@ctc.net
Park Ridge Christian School, at 312 Park Ridge Road, Albemarle, began in September 1993, and offers grades kindergarten through eighth.
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Rep. Justin Burr recently presented a North Carolina Flag to the Park Ridge Sharpshooters team. Pictured, front row, left to right, are: Lea Efird, Hunter Efird, Jenna Stamey and Sierra Lingerfelt; back row: Rep. Burr, Coach Eric Efird, David Singletary, Davis Almond and Coach Heath Efird.
Discussion
Burr presents N.C. Flag to Park Ridge Sharpshooters
Team to represent Stanly, North Carolina at national competition
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