RAPIDES PIONEERS RECEIVE YHEC AWARDS ON THE WAY TO NATIONALS

Brought To You By Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office; Written By Tommy Carnline

Recently, the RAPIDES PIONEERS Youth Hunter Education Challenge held their annual awards ceremony at the RPSO Training Center.  Sheriff Mark Wood and the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office are the sponsors of the RAPIDES PIONEERS.

NRA’s Youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC) provides a fun environment for kids 18 and under to improve their hunting, marksmanship and safety skills. Through its simulated hunting situations, live fire exercises, educational and responsibility events, YHEC helps build upon skills learned in basic hunter education courses and encourages safer, lifelong hunting habits.  From rifle, bow and muzzleloader shooting at life-sized targets, to wildlife identification, map and compass orienteering and safety trail, YHEC participants can get hands-on training in eight skill areas, giving them expertise in all methods of hunting and all types of game.

RPSO is proud to sponsor these young men and women as they are the future conservationists and outdoorsman of our area.

Below are the placings for the top place winners and the competitors that are going to Nationals in Bentonville, AR in July:

Winners from the North Central Local – May 31^st Woodworth, LA

TOP 5 OVERALL – Junior

4^TH — Baron Paul

5^TH — Liam Thiels

TOP  5 OVERALL – Senior

1^st – Tallon Soileau

4^th – Tye Tarver

5^th — Jameson Gray

Junior & Senior Teams Going to Nationals in Bentonville, Arkansas July 21-26th

National – Junior Team

1^st – Baron Paul

2^nd – Liam Thiels

3^rd – Nathan Soileau

4^th – Eli Thiels

5^th – Trent Andries

Danni Murphy (Alternate)

National – Senior Team

1^{st  _}– Tallon Soileau

2^nd – Westin Airhart (Desoto)

3^rd — Tyler Layssard

4^th — Madeleine Soileau

5^th — Landon Glenn

Tori Andries (Alternate)

“We are so proud to support this group of outstanding young men and women as their sponsor agency” said Sheriff Mark Wood.  “These kids work hard all year long, practicing in the rain, heat or cold, to become better at their chosen event.  And, most importantly, we cannot thank the parents of these youngsters who support them and are so involved in YHEC.  These are future leaders in Rapides Parish.”

If you would like to help support the RAPIDES PIONEERS in their quest for Nationals or become a volunteer, please contact the YHEC Coordinator, Deputy Kim Cedars at 319-442-9229.