Shoot for Coop raises scholarship funds

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  • Todd Gibson sends a shell flying as he hits a target during the annual Shoot for Coop clay shooting fundraiser held Saturday, June 13, at the Despain Ranch. The event raises money for scholarships to college and Camp Peniel for area youth in memory of the late Cooper Despain. Photos by Kelly McDuffie Contributing Photographer
    Todd Gibson sends a shell flying as he hits a target during the annual Shoot for Coop clay shooting fundraiser held Saturday, June 13, at the Despain Ranch. The event raises money for scholarships to college and Camp Peniel for area youth in memory of the late Cooper Despain. Photos by Kelly McDuffie Contributing Photographer
  • Chris Laird looks the part of a mountain man with his long hair flowing through his hat as he waits for the clays to get fired off at the Shoot for Coop tournament at the Despain Ranch.
    Chris Laird looks the part of a mountain man with his long hair flowing through his hat as he waits for the clays to get fired off at the Shoot for Coop tournament at the Despain Ranch.
  • Above, Wesley Watson is all business as he stares down the target and shoots during his flight at the Shoot for Coop event Saturday in Smithwick. You can see the shell ejecting from the shotgun, suspended in air.
    Above, Wesley Watson is all business as he stares down the target and shoots during his flight at the Shoot for Coop event Saturday in Smithwick. You can see the shell ejecting from the shotgun, suspended in air.
  • Trenton Despain, mother of the late Cooper Despain, welcomes shooters to the annual Shoot for Coop event at the Despain Ranch in Smithwick. Trenton and David Despain created the event to honor the memory of their son and to help area students go to college or camp.
    Trenton Despain, mother of the late Cooper Despain, welcomes shooters to the annual Shoot for Coop event at the Despain Ranch in Smithwick. Trenton and David Despain created the event to honor the memory of their son and to help area students go to college or camp.
  • At the right and above, Shelly Laird and Ashley Reutebuch take a break from shooting clays to enjoy beverages and the shade of a golf cart at the Shoot for Coop tournament Saturday, June 13.
    At the right and above, Shelly Laird and Ashley Reutebuch take a break from shooting clays to enjoy beverages and the shade of a golf cart at the Shoot for Coop tournament Saturday, June 13.
  • At the left, Travis and Shannon Schulz enjoy the hospitality and camaraderie of the annual Shoot for Coop event at the Despain Ranch in Smithwick. A barbecue dinner, live music, auction and drawing were also held following the shooting tournament.
    At the left, Travis and Shannon Schulz enjoy the hospitality and camaraderie of the annual Shoot for Coop event at the Despain Ranch in Smithwick. A barbecue dinner, live music, auction and drawing were also held following the shooting tournament.
  • Braxton Dickens blasts the dickens out of a clay target during the youth competition at the Shoot for Coop annual clay shooting tournament and scholarship fundraiser on Saturday, June 13.
    Braxton Dickens blasts the dickens out of a clay target during the youth competition at the Shoot for Coop annual clay shooting tournament and scholarship fundraiser on Saturday, June 13.
  • Despite a distraction in the background, Craig Lusinger is able to get a shot off during the Shoot for Coop event Saturday in Smithwick. Lusinger uses another instrument for shooting often at the annual event — a camera.
    Despite a distraction in the background, Craig Lusinger is able to get a shot off during the Shoot for Coop event Saturday in Smithwick. Lusinger uses another instrument for shooting often at the annual event — a camera.
  • Above, Cameron Travis works as a volunteer helping keep track of shooters’ performances during the annual Shoot for Coop event on Saturday. The event would not be possible without many volunteers and sponsors who help make it a success.
    Above, Cameron Travis works as a volunteer helping keep track of shooters’ performances during the annual Shoot for Coop event on Saturday. The event would not be possible without many volunteers and sponsors who help make it a success.
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Saturday, June 13, provided the perfect day and the Despain Ranch in Smithwick supplied the perfect setting for the 2020 Shoot for Coop Cooper DeSpain Memorial Scholarship clay shooting fundraiser.

Local shooting sports enthusiasts competed for trophies and came together to raise money for the Cooper DeSpain Memorial Scholarship Fund, which annually provides college scholarships to students from Marble Falls High School, Burnet High School, Faith Academy and other area schools as well as scholarships to nearby Camp Peniel.

The scholarship fund is named for the late Cooper Despain, son of David and Trenton Despain, who was killed in a tragic ATV accident on Aug. 8, 2014.

Grieving, yet desiring to keep his memory alive, the Despain family created the scholarship fund which bears his name and set up the annual clay shoot fundraiser on their ranch on Ranch to Market Road 1174, 14 miles east of Marble Falls, to celebrate his spirit.

This year’s event was originally scheduled for May 2, but was rescheduled to June 13 due to concerns about COVID-19. A barbecue dinner with live music and an auction was also held Saturday at the ranch along with a drawing for several prizes after tickets were sold for $20 each, with all proceeds going to the scholarship fund. Grand prize was a 2020 Ranger XP 1000 with trailer, while other prizes included a Benelli Supersport 20 gauge shotgun, a Winchester Featherweight 243, a Ruger 1911 .45-caliber ACP and a Henry Silver Eagle .22-mag.

Since 2015, the scholarship fund has given out more than $54,000 in scholarships to worthy students, including 12 college scholarships totaling $13,000 and four camp scholarships totaling $3,600 in 2019 alone.

For more information about this event, contact shootforcoopmarblefalls@gmail.com or call 830-798-4623.