From Hunting to Higher Education: Keystone Central Foundation Awards $12,500 in Scholarships at the 8th Annual Lenny Young III Memorial Shotgun Shoot
By Emily Wright
LOGANTON– On Saturday, August 10, 2024, the Keystone Central Foundation (KCF), in collaboration with the Young family, awarded $12,500.00 in scholarships to five deserving students at the 8th Annual Lenny Young III Memorial Shotgun Shoot held at the Southern Clinton County Sportsmen’s Club in Loganton. This event honored the legacy of Lenny Young III and also supported students involved in the Southern Clinton County Youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC).
Dylan Baker, Hunter Jeirles, Wyatt Ripka, Chase White, and Gavin Kerstetter, seniors in the Keystone Central School District, each received $2,500.00 through the Lenny Young III Memorial Scholarship to pursue higher education. These students actively participated in the YHEC throughout their high school careers, exemplifying the program’s mission to promote safe, lifelong hunting skills.
The KCF raises funds for the Lenny Young III Memorial Scholarship through the annual Shotgun Shoot. This year’s event was coordinated by Maggie Park, a junior at Central Mountain High School, as part of her senior project.
The Pennsylvania YHEC, backed by the NRA, provides a comprehensive learning environment for youth under 18 to develop hunting, marksmanship, and safety skills. The program’s mix of simulated hunting situations, live-fire exercises, and educational events enhances basic hunter education, promoting safe and lifelong hunting practices.
Since its inception, the YHEC program has had over 1.3 million young participants nationwide. This hands-on training prepares participants in essential skill areas, ranging from rifle, bow, and muzzleloader shooting to wildlife identification and map and compass orienteering.
Through the Lenny Young III Memorial Scholarship and events like the Annual Lenny Young III Memorial Shotgun Shoot, KCF continues to have a positive impact on KCSD students. By providing these educational scholarships, KCF not only honors Lenny Young III’s memory but also supports young hunters in Clinton County and enhances their educational growth.
