South Hillsborough Elks Lodge #2672 had two students from Ruskin Christian School, both in the 12-13-year-old group, compete at the regional Hoop Shoot in Fort Pierce Jan. 27. Emma Lewis placed fourth and Efraim Marvin placed first. He moved on to the state Hoop Shoot and finished second. Pictured with them are Tim Vanderveer of Ruskin Christian School and Roy Gardner, Lodge Chairman.
Naples Lodge is a great supporter and promoter of youth activities and is proud to have had two competitors who competed in the state Hoop Shoot Feb. 16 at the Florida Elks Youth Camp. Joe Huang won first place in the 8-9-year-old boys division with 23 out of 25 baskets. Melody Charlton won second place in the 10-11-year-old girls division. Pictured is Joe Huang with State President, Carl Gerace, and Jeff Rumler, Hoop Shoot State Chairman.
Englewood Elks Lodge #2378 sponsored Sean Perry, the 2018 state Hoop Shoot winner of boys ages 12-13. He won the lodge contest Nov. 4 and progressed to the district level before winning the state contest as well as the award for most baskets in all boys’ age groups, 24 out of 25. He and his family will attend the Florida State Elks Association state convention at the end of May and were given tickets to attend a Disney park. Sean plays for the basketball team at his middle school.
On Jan. 6, parents, grandparents, siblings and friends filled the stands in support of 10 contestants from Holley-Navarre Lodge #2787, Fort Walton Lodge #1795 and Crestview Lodge #2624 for the district Hoop Shoot. When all was said and done, they turned out five champions who advanced to the north regionals in Tallahassee Jan. 20. Representing Holley-Navarre were Nicholas Tawzer (9) and Ethan McDonald (12). From Fort Walton were Olivia Alexandre (9), Amiya Nedd (10) and Nathan Meissner (10). Stacy Annese, district Hoop Shoot chairman, traveled to Tallahassee to represent the district.
Olivia, Amiya, Ethan, Nathan and Nicholas represented the Northwest District at the north regional Hoop Shoot.
Colby Schaneville began his journey Oct. 28 when he won St. Petersburg Lodge’s U-10 boys Soccer Shoot. Colby went on to win the district Soccer Shoot Nov. 5, the Central regional competition Dec. 9 and the state Soccer Shoot Jan. 6 at the Florida Elks Youth Camp. Being that Colby was one of the state champions, he and his family traveled to Valdosta, Ga., Jan. 20-21 to compete with the state winners from Georgia and South Carolina. At this competition, Colby finished in second place.
St. Petersburg Lodge’s youth competitors gave it their best shot at the district Hoop Shoot and are advanced to the regional competition. The first-place winners in the West Central District who represented the lodge were Jack Wessell (8-9 boys), Evelyn Furst (10-11 girls) and Adrian Moore (12-13 boys). Throughout the morning, the contestants took their turns shooting in their age divisions from the free throw line. Each contestant shot 25 shots – 10 free throws and 15 shots from beyond the free throw line. The Elks’ goal with this program is to provide a character-building, competitive program for all girls and boys regardless of their previous athletic competition or abilities. With the sponsoring of and participation in the Elks Hoop Shoot, St. Petersburg Lodge continues to highlight the Elks’ commitment to America’s youth. Evelyn Furst and Adrian Moore are pictured.
2018 Central Region Hoop Shoot Winners
Girls 8-9 Boys 8-9
1st – Karolina Ramirez (SEC/Stuart-Jensen) – 21 1st – Nicholas Clark (C/Aripeka) – 18
2nd – Alyssa Marino (C/Kissimmee) – 13 2nd – Gabriel Lahman (SW/Bradenton) – 15
3rd – Parker Roberst (EC/Palm Coast) – 11 3rd – Sean Carlson (EC/DeLand) – 14
Girls 10-11 Boys 10-11
1st – Malayna Stevenson (C/Kissimmee) – 16 1st – Kennan Fulton (SW/Manasota) – 15
2nd – Alexandra Perez (EC/Palm Coast) – 12 2nd – Anthony Glines (C/Aripeka) – 14
3rd – Kaylin Smith (SW/Venice-Nokomis) – 10 3rd – Nathaniel Moffit (SEC/Stuart-Jensen) – 14
Girls 12-13 Boys 12-13
1st – Madison Vazquez (C/Kissimmee) – 24 1st – Efraim Marvin (SW/South Hillsborough) – 19
2nd – Gianna Destefano (WC/Dunedin/Clearwater) – 14 2nd – Tyson Job (C/Kissimmee) – 18
3rd – Vanessa Spada (EC/Ormond Beach) – 12 3rd – Joey Sauer (EC/DeLand) – 17
Congratulations to all the contestants! We had 35 kids participate in the Central Region Hoop Shoot Saturday, Jan. 27, representing the six districts and eighteen different lodges. The competition was strong in all the divisions. Thanks go to all the volunteers who helped make this such a successful event and special thanks go to Fort Pierce Police Athletic League for the use of their gym and Fort Pierce Elks #1520 for hosting lunch and the award ceremony at their lodge following the competition. Madison Vazquez from Kissimmee Lodge and Efraim Marvin from South Hillsborough Lodge were the overall girls and boys top scorers shooting 24 and 19 baskets respectively. Even more impressive was that this was the first time they each had competed in the Hoop Shoot program. Good luck to all the shooters advancing to the state finals to be held at the Florida Elks Youth Camp Saturday, Feb. 17. More details can be found at http://www.floridaelks.org/hoop-shoot.
Fraternally,
Michael Schodlbauer, PER
Central Region Hoop Shoot Director
Louisiana State Legislature Increases New Orleans Hotel Occupancy Tax
The Legislature of the State of Louisiana has acted to increase the New Orleans Hotel Occupancy Tax from 13% to 14.75% effective April 1, 2014. This will affect our convention room rates and they will go from $128.56 to $130.52 per night.
Convention Attendees With ADA Transportation Needs Urged To Contact Grand Lodge
In order for the Grand Lodge to support the transportation needs of attendees with disabilities you are urged to contact the Grand Lodge if you require special assistance. Special coaches capable of kneeling to accommodate wheel chairs will be placed along the routes for those in need. If you require assistance please contact Tina or Jessica at the Grand Lodge as follows:
