SANFORD -- The Maine Elks Association (MEA) State Hoop Shoot competition was held on February 3, 2005, at Sanford High School. The event was hosted by the Sanford Elks Lodge #1470. Eighteen boys and girls competed in the contest to determine the six state champions, who have earned the right to advance to the regional contest to be held in South Portland on March 27-30, 2008.

Here are the final standings:

Girls 8-9

Taylor Sargent, Portland Elks Lodge #188 Karli Levesque, Presque Isle Elks Lodge #1954 Victoria Littlefield, Gardiner Elks Lodge #1293

Boys 8-9

Ryan Pratt, Farmington Elks Lodge #2430 Brad Bouchard, Sanford Elks Lodge #1470 Carter Bruce, Presque Isle Elks Lodge #1954

Girls 10-11

Abby Pyne, Bangor Elks Lodge #244 Rachel Berry, Gardiner Elks Lodge #1293 Sarah Clement, Portland Elks Lodge #188

Boys 10-11

Benjamin Leet, Augusta Elks Lodge #964 Isaiah Patterson, Rockland Elks Lodge #1008 Scott Smart, Old Town Elks Lodge #1287

Girls 12-13

Alexandra Palazzi-Leahy, Portland Elks Lodge #188 Mariah Willey, Houlton Elks Lodge #835 Cheyenne Malloy, Skowhegan-Madison Elks Lodge #2531

Boys 12-13

Samuel Grindle, Greater Ellsworth Elks Lodge #2743 Brendan Hall, Rockland Elks Lodge #1008 Austin Kane, Skowhegan-Madison Elks Lodge #2531

Following the contest, the contestants traveled to the Sanford Elks Lodge, where they were treated to pizza, and were provided with Drug Awareness materials furnished by Drug Awareness Director Frank Ricker of the Maine Elks Association. Also assisting with the Drug Awareness program was "Elroy the Elk." Following lunch, the awards were presented to each contestant by State Hoop Shoot Director, Andrew Constantine, who was assisted by MEA State President Bruce Brunelle of the Sanford Elks Lodge, President-Elect Robert Drisko of the Augusta Elks Lodge, and 2nd Vice President Roger Normandeau of the Sanford Elks Lodge. Also speaking at the event was Area 1 Hoop Shoot Committeeman, Richard Blinn of Massachusettts, who spoke about the importance of the Hoop Shoot program. Blinn also expressed his sincere thanks to the Elks National Foundation and its contributors for funding the Elks National Hoop Shoot program.

Two special awards were also presented to the highest scoring boy and girl. The first award was the Allan W. Richard Outstanding Shooter Award in memory of the late Allan Richard who had served as the MEA's Hoop Shoot Chairman for 19 years. The award was presented to Alexandra Palazzi-Leahy representing the Portland Elks Lodge #188. This is the second year in a row that Palazzi-Leahy had earned this distinguished award. The Amos A. McCallum Outstanding Shooter Award, was presented by Past National President, Amos McCallum of Saco, to Ryan Pratt, representing the Farmington Elks Lodge #2430.

Pictured are Front: (L-R): Taylor Sargent, Ryan Pratt, Abby Pyne. Back: (L-R): MEA State President Bruce Brunelle, Alexandra Palazzi-Leahy, Samuel Grindle, and MEA State Hoop Shoot Director Andrew Constantine. Missing from Photo: Benjamin Leet.

Since its inception in 1946, the Elks National Hoop Shoot competition has grown to include more than 3 million participants annually, making it the largest non-profit co-educational sports program in the country. Much of the funding for the program comes from the Elks National Foundation, the charitable arm of the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks. For more information on the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, visit www.elks.org or www.maineelks.org.