Video: Pontotoc Fishing Rodeo

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PONTOTOC, Miss. (WCBI) – Two Pontotoc high school seniors felt their was a need to give back to those less fortunate in their community so they sponsored a fishing rodeo.

For their senior graduation project, Jennifer Main and Jeb Millender thought it would be a great way for students with disabilities from their area to have fun outdoors.

“We wanted to do something to give back to our community and give something to the special needs children because they only have the special olympics in our county. We wanted to do something that they would have to make memorable and maybe they love to start fishing,” said senior student Jennifer Main.

The event took place at Howard Stafford Park and allowed over over 40 kids with disabilities to catch their very own fish, an opportunity that they wouldn’t have otherwise.

“It feels really good, I mean knowing that you know we’re doing this for them and I mean they don’t really have anything like this. We need to try and give back to those that are less fortunate, so hopefully this does that for us,” added senior student Jeb Millender.

A fishing contest was available for those who wanted to participate, along with a wildlife exhibit, face paint, games and prizes.
Private John Allen National Fish Hatchery helped plan the rodeo and one thousand pounds of fish were donated by the research center.

“This was the first time I’ve ever seen anything done like this, seniors in school that had enough motivation by themselves to put something together like this. This was a huge undertaking, these kids spend a large part of their senior year working on this, something to be commended for,” said Project Leader for Private John Allen National Fish Hatchery, Rick Campbell.

The seniors hope that the rodeo will continue to grow even after they’ve graduated.

Categories: Local News

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