Wednesday, November 17, 2004

Trapshooters honor the Johnson family

Benefit shoot for scholarships


Taking their turns at Saturday's Johnson Memorial trapshoot are, from left, Rick Ruggles, Stephanie Richins, Paul Richins and, at right, overall winner Juan Goitiandia. Also in the group but blocked by Stephanie is Zack Sewell. Photo by Willy Cook

Organizers of Saturday's benefit trapshoot and members of the Alan and Diane Johnson family are grateful for the community response to the first annual memorial gathering held at Wood River Gun Club, Bellevue.

"It was a very successful trapshoot," said organizer Marguerite Sowersby. "We raised $4,000 in sponsorship money, and it looks like we'll end up with about $8,500 in all. The raffle alone made $1,500."

A long list of silent auction items included an antique hutch, a load of gravel, and eight-foot spruce tree, cabinets and furniture, a Tews Ranch hunt, a shooting package at Blaine County Gun Club, a spray-on bedliner for a truck, and numerous dinners.

High overall winner among the six squads and 30 shooters was Juan Goitiandia. The top woman was Stephanie Richins. Competition took place in 100 singles and 100 handicap.

Many members of the extended Johnson family attended the trapshoot, including Alan and Diane's son Matt Johnson, who will graduate in December from the University of Idaho in Moscow and plans to continue work on his Master's degree.

All of the proceeds are being donated to the Alan and Diane Johnson Memorial Scholarship Fund at Hailey's Wood River High School, where the Johnson children went to school.

The Johnsons were killed Sept. 2, 2003 at their home in Bellevue.

Last May, the first recipient of the Alan and Diane Johnson Scholarship at Wood River High was Brandon Silvia, who accepted a $1,000 grant.

"The family wants to continue doing the scholarship and they plan to have another shoot to raise money next year," said Sowersby. "They want to reward kids who give something back to their community, play sports and are active in their school."

Sowersby said, "The family was tremendously touched by the outreach from the community. They've been going through the contradiction of all the pain they've had to endure, and the beautiful response from people."

Donations by cash or check (made out to Johnson Memorial Scholarship Fund) can be made at any First Bank of Idaho branch in Ketchum, Hailey or Bellevue. If you send your donation to First Bank of Idaho, 314 North Main in Hailey, 83333, be sure to put it to the attention of Kelly Karst.




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