Lenny Young III Memorial Shoot raises over $10,000 to Support Future YHEC Graduates

RecordStaffAugust 30, 2023Last Updated: August 30, 2023

1 minute read

Len and Kathy Young stand with Trenton Haagen, 2023 Scholarship Recipient and Melissa Bottorf, Executive Director of Keystone Central Foundation]

LOGANTON, PA – Shooting enthusiasts of all ages and from across the state were at the Southern Clinton County Sportsmen’s Association on Aug. 5 to support this year’s Leonard Young Memorial Shoot. Since 2017 family and friends of Lenny Young III have organized this event to honor the love Lenny had for YHEC (Youth Hunter Education Challenge) before his untimely death in an accident at the age of 19.

Lenny’s parents, Len and Kathy Young use the proceeds from this event to award an annual scholarship to graduating seniors who have participated in YHEC for at least two years and are current members who plan on furthering their education upon graduation. The Keystone Central Foundation, the non-profit organization that supports the school district, has managed the funds and application process since the inception of the scholarship. Applicants are asked to submit a one-page essay about what YHEC has meant to them. This year senior Trenton Haagen received a $2,500 scholarship to begin his freshmen year in Wildlife Technology at Penn State Dubois. “When I grow older, I will remember what YHEC did for me and volunteer to help others have the same experience I had,” said Trenton.

The recreational shooting community has rallied around this charity clay shoot to help it continue to grow and honor Lenny. Central Mountain student Wyatt Ripka took the lead organizing this year’s event as his senior project.

Len and Kathy pose with Wyatt at the beginning of this year’s shoot

“We couldn’t do this without the help of Southern Clinton County Sportsmen’s Association, YHEC families, countless volunteers, over 25 individual and business sponsors,” commented Len and Kathy. “We are especially grateful to Fred Park for his help with the pig roast and WSQV 92.1 for advertising the event.”

If you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to the Leonard Young III Memorial Scholarship to honor Lenny’s legacy and love of recreational shooting, please contact the Keystone Central Foundation at 570-660-1306.