Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1524899
THE LEAD S QUA D SP O T L IGH T ST. THOMAS MORE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BRINGS THE LEAGUE TO LAFAYETTE 10 PULLUSA MAGAZINE SUMMER 2024 THE MORE THE MERRIER T HE CITY OF LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA, was once called the happiest city in America. Located 35 miles from the Gulf Coast and just over two hours west of New Orleans, Lafayette (population 121,000) is described as the heart of Cajun and Creole country. It's also considered a sportsman's paradise, and that's why Dan Duhon, along with several parents and commu- nity members, worked to create the STM Shooting Sports Club at St. Thomas More Catholic High School. The club was founded in 2022 and is now 35 team members strong. "Given that this area is a hotbed of hunting and fishing activities and that we already had a fishing team, a shooting sports team seemed to be the next logical step," said Duhon, a lifelong hunter, fisherman, and hunter safety instructor. "With the help of several parents, many of which stepped up to become coaches and leaders, the club became a real success story." When describing the characteristics of this team, Duhon uses words such as driven, helpful, and encouraging. They certainly took advantage of those opportunities by finishing first in trap and second in skeet at the spring 2024 USA High School Clay Target League National Tour- nament. The first-place trap team consisted of Coy Richard, Jaden Collins, Finley McGill, Charlie Fishell, and Brennen LEF T TO RIGHT: SENIORS ROBERT PRESSLER, BRILEY FITZGER ALD, FINLEY MCGILL, JACKSON DICKERSON. by MATT KRUMRIE