ONSTED — Onsted schools may soon add a new extracurricular option focused on competitive shooting.
Community members Jared Thompson and Troy Heselschwerdt are petitioning the Onsted Community Schools Board to approve a trap shooting team for students in grades seven through twelve.
Trap shooting is an Olympic-recognized sport where students take turns shooting clay targets launched from a mechanical thrower. Organizers say the program emphasizes focus, teamwork and firearm safety.
Participation would require hunter safety certification or approved firearm safety training. No firearms would be allowed on school property, with all practices and competitions held off campus. Students would be insured through the USA Target League, and the program would be funded through donations and sponsorships, not district dollars.
Thompson points to the sport’s safety record.
The proposal is currently a discussion item. School officials say formal board action could come as early as next month.