Bob Jones AFJROTC secures grant, high marks in rifle

MADISON – Cadets in the Air Force Junior ROTC at Bob Jones High School have been busy in securing a grant for their program and earning recognition for their skills.

The National Rifle Association Foundation has awarded Bob Jones AFJROTC with a grant totaling $8,633.45. The money will buy a six-station portable target range, 10 kneeling rolls, six shooters’ floor mats, 10 off-hand rifle stands and four high quality air-rifles.

“We are very excited about our Marksmanship Safety Expansion Program,” Chief Master Sergeant Ellis Clark said. Clark works as aerospace science instructor at Bob Jones. “We’re pleased that the NRA is making an investment in our community.”

“This grant allows us to reach out to more students, who are very interested in Air Rifle Safety Training,” Clark said. “I’ve been coaching our marksmanship team since 2008; the proximity spacing between our cadets was always inadequate. This expansion program has positively affected the growth of the team, and so many others.”

Established in 1990, the NRA Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization that raises tax-deductible contributions to support NRA’s firearm-related public interest activities. For more information, visit nrafoundation.org.

In other activities, Bob Jones cadets delivered solid performances at the fourth annual Redstone Sergeants Major Association Drill Competition.

Bob Jones AFJROTC defeated Kealakehe Rifle Team 900 to 748 in the National Air Rifle League to claim third place within their “Air Force JROTC” division. Hannalyn Wilks, who shot 255, led for Bob Jones. Other members were Nicholas Boykin, Sean Huh and Dakoda Young.

Kealakehe Rifle Team lives in Waikoloa, Hawaii. Next, Bob Jones will compete against Topeka West AFJROTC from Kansas.

Bob Jones is competing in the Distinguished Division of the Orion National Air Rifle League. Sponsored by the Orion Scoring System, the league is open to high school teams and junior rifle clubs. The league has two parts: the current, eight-week regular season and a Conference Title Game for the top two teams in each conference.

In each game, teams compete in a Three-Position Air Rifle match. Modeled after Olympic Rifle competitions, the match is adjusted to high school athletes. Each athlete will shoot 10 shots in three different shooting positions — prone, standing and kneeling.

For more information, visit orionscoringsystem.com/AirRifleLeague.