Born to shoot
FENELTON — Born to shoot.
That's part of the name of 10-year-old Kaylee Hicks' Facebook page.
It's an apt description.
Kaylee began shooting a rifle at targets at age 6, attending local youth days in the sport. Her mother, Amanda Hicks of Kittanning, is a firearms instructor.
“The next year, she asked if she could come with me to the range,” Mrs. Hicks said. “She took a quick interest in shooting and she learned the right way.”
Kaylee began working on the National Rifle Association's pistol marksmanship program. By age 9, she completed the final Distinguished Expert Level. That was in January of this year.
Last month, Hicks presented her daughter with the NRA Marksmanship Award for Pistol Distinguished expert marksman at Fenelton Firearms. Still 9 years old then, Kaylee became the youngest on record of the NRA to complete this level.
“I was pretty surprised,” Kaylee said of completing the program so quickly.
The next youngest age of anyone to complete that program is 13.
Kaylee learned about the marksmanship program through her mother and fellow firearms instructors Angie Dolan, Ray Henderson and Anita Adamson.
“Being an instructor and having guns, I wanted to make sure Kaylee learned about shooting the right way,” Mrs. Hicks said. “She started off learning safe gun handling and built her skills upon that. With the right knowledge, shooting sports are safe and fun.
“She's proven that and I'm proud of her.”
Kaylee even knows what to do in the event her gun jams.
“When the bullet gets stuck, you have to pull it out,” she said. “Stuff like that can happen.”
Kaylee competes on women's night at Fenelton Firearms and has already taken first place on numerous occasions.
“She finishes among the top three pretty much every week,” Mrs. Hicks said. “She's even beaten her mother.
“I don't think anyone else in the league is under 30.”
“I like being able to shoot against other people,” Kaylee said. “It's fun to compete.”
Kaylee is in fourth grade and has to keep her priorities in order to continue joining her mother at the range.
“Every week, she wants to go,” Mrs. Hicks said. “As long as she gets all her school work done, it's OK. She's been getting it done.
“For her age, Kaylee is very mature. She's shared my interest in shooting from the start. She learned the basics, safety, then range safety. She knows the range commands and how to handle the push of the gun when she shoots.
“She's experienced in competition now and she loves it. I can only see her getting better,” she added.
