Hayden Heavener, representing Jacksonville Lodge, placed fourth in the nation at the Elks national Hoop Shoot contest in Chicago, Illinois, April 22. Hayden’s final score was 21 out of 25. Hayden’s parents, Courtney and Clark Heavener; grandparents Bev and David Heavener; and two brothers traveled to Chicago with him. They met ESPN broadcaster Sarah Spain, who gave the keynote speech about grit and perseverance at the awards banquet. "As long as you tried your hardest, as long as you put in the work, you can look back and say I did right by myself and my family and my competitors. That is truly grit," said Spain. The contestants got a tour of Soldier Field, swapped trading cards, helped make Welcome Home snack bags with the Elks National Veterans Service Commission and had fun in the ENF Hoop Shoot FanZone. Hayden is the first contestant from Jacksonville Lodge to make it to the national level.
Pictured are Hayden Heavener with his two brothers and ESPN broadcaster Sarah Spain, Hayden shooting at the nationals, and his trading card.