TAMAQUA ELKS LODGE ANNOUNCES HOOP SHOOT WINNERS

First place winners from front left are Christina Modesto, Blaise Gigli and Brady Sherry. From back left are are event organizer Vaal Kester, and first place winners Ashley Jones, Derian Stianche and Carley Krizansky. — First place winners from front left are Christina Modesto, Blaise Gigli and Brady Sherry. From back left are event organizer Vaal Kester, and first place winners Ashley Jones, Derian Stianche and Carley Krizansky.

The Tamaqua B.P.O. Elks held their 43rd annual National Hoop Shoot for boys and girls ages 8-13 years old on Friday, November 21, 2014 in the gymnasium of the Tamaqua Area Elementary School. The winners of the contest will now advance to districts in Danville on Saturday, February 17, 2015. In March, the district winners will advance to the state competition at State College, PA, then to Wilkes-Barre for regional contest.
Winners were presented trophies Monday night (Monday, November 24, 2014) at the Tamaqua Elks Lodge.

First place winners from front left are Chase Andrews, Stephen Modesto and Emily Lang. From back left are event organizer Vaal Kester, and Olivia Jones, Alexa Stianche. Not pictured was Brayden Knoblauch. — Second place winners from front left are Chase Andrews, Stephen Modesto and Emily Lang. From back left are event organizer Vaal Kester, and Olivia Jones, Alexa Stianche. Not pictured was Brayden Knoblauch.

The following were first and second place winners:

8-9 YEARS:
GIRLS WINNER: 4th grader Christina Modesto, Tamaqua Elementary School.
RUNNER-UP: 3rd grader Emily Lang, Tamaqua Elementary School.
BOYS WINNER: 3rd grader Blaise Gigli, West Penn Elementary School.
RUNNER-UP: 4th grader Chase Andrews, Tamaqua Elementary School.

10-11 YEARS:
GIRLS WINNER: 6th grader Carley Krizansky, Holy Family.
RUNNER-UP: 5th grader Alexa Stianche, Tamaqua Elementary School.
BOYS WINNER: 5th grader Brady Sherry, Tamaqua Elementary School.
RUNNER-UP: 5th grader Stephen Modesto, Tamaqua Elementary School.

12-13 YEARS:
GIRLS WINNER: 5th grader Ashley Jones, Tamaqua Elementary School.
RUNNER-UP: 5th grader Olivia Jones, Tamaqua Elementary School.
BOYS WINNER: 8th grader Derian Stianche, Tamaqua Middle School.
RUNNER-UP: 7th grader Brayden Knoblauch, Tamaqua Middle School.

Tamaqua Elks Lodge member Vaal Kester, event director since 1980 and retired 34-year Tamaqua Elementary School teacher, stated his appreciation to all who participated and helped. Additional volunteers mentioned were John Bachert PER, Gary Wetterau, Steve Bayer, Mike Chromiak, Steve Dobrosky, Art Connely, Joe Berezwick, Janet Kester, and Mile and Aimee Caputo.

(Click HERE to view the two group photos on Facebook.)
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