Students shoot for charity

The sweet smell of gunpowder, the crack of rifle fire and fully camouflaged cadets invaded Central Campus. This may sound like war, but it's actually a sign of Thanksgiving.

The Reserve Officer Training Corps hosted its annual Turkey Shoot on Friday at the rifle range behind NUBS. The competition drew men, women, children and fraternity members onto the premises.

The event raised more than $500, and with sponsorships, the final total was about $800.

"I think it was a success," said First Class Sgt. Randy Luciano. "It was good to see everyone do so well."

Rules of safety were observed. "No one got shot," said ROTC member and LSA junior Janna Scott.

JOY JACOBS/Daily LSA first-year student Kiara Hotte participated Friday in the ROTC-sponsored Turkey Shoot for charity. The event was the first time Hotte held a gun.

The money raised from the event will be used to fund a ROTC trip to Tulane University for a drill competition in February.

Participants competed in seven categories, such as cadre, fraternity, student and civilian.

The top score-getter of each category won a turkey and the top few in each area won gift certificates. Local businesses donated money and prizes.

Competition lasted from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., but the busiest time came around 4. People lined up to purchase targets, which cost $1 a piece.

The price included four targets, four shots with a .22 caliber rifle and earplugs. ROTC members were on hand supervising and offering advice to novice shooters.

"Many of the people shooting have never shot a gun before," said ROTC member Cathleen Totit.

Most people went through the line numerous times looking to up scores.

"It was hard to keep it steady," said LSA first-year student Daniel Mafrice. Mafrice scored zeroes on his first two targets, but redeemed himself with a 19 on the last.

After scoring a 15 on his shoot, Engineering junior Max Adelman complained of a different frustration.

"The target appeared small," he said.

Each bullseye was worth 10 points and for each ring away from the center, one point was subtracted. The best possible score was 40, but the best score was achieved by Luciano, who got a 34.

University rifle team coach Don Shankland scored the targets, but didn't see any definite trends of who was getting the best scores.

"It varies, but most of the females have never shot a gun before," he said.

Not surprising, ROTC members did quite well. Kevin Janicki and Matt Rambo scored 32 to top their division.

"It was just as difficult and as easy as I thought it'd be," said Janicki.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon won the fraternity award with a collective score of 29, and LSA sophomore John Nagarah and LSA senior William Thompson tied for the student category.

"I did better than I thought," Nagarah said. "I haven't shot a gun in 10 years."

There was a bit of controversy after LSA junior Jennifer Lee scored 37 - it was discovered that she had shot from a supported position. Rules require the gun to be completely unsupported.

Lee admitted the infraction, but said she wasn't told that the rested position

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