Canadian teenager learns marksmanship for school project

[DMK]

Leandra Lepko, 17, with her empty handgun in the Herald studio Friday.
(dmk: Wow! They even let her bring her handgun into the newpaper's office.)

Teen earns credit learning to shoot
Principal backs 'unusual' project

Maria Canton
Calgary Herald

Saturday, April 03, 2004

Leandra Lepko is shooting for high marks.

The 17-year-old Lethbridge student is working on a self-designed school project that has her studying handguns and ammunition while perfecting the subtleties of becoming a crack shot.

And she's earning five credits toward her high school diploma for the initiative that includes firing off rounds from her 9-mm Sig Sauer P-220 handgun once a week after sanctioned classes end.

Lepko, who is in Grade 11 at Catholic Central High School and needed to make up five credits, pitched the idea of a shooting class after learning about the special projects program offered by the province.

"A lot of my friends think it's really cool," said Lepko, who is in Edmonton this weekend for a shooting match, a course requirement.

"Shooting takes a lot of discipline and skill, and safety is very important. You can never do anything that might endanger anyone else," Lepko said.

A member of the Chinook Country Shooters, Lepko travels to nearby Taber every Thursday for an evening of shooting and lessons with her instructor, who evaluates and grades her progress.

To earn the five high school credits, she has to dedicate 125 hours this semester to fine-tuning her skills, learning gun safety, keeping a journal and participating in three competitions.

The special project option is available to Alberta high school students, giving them the freedom to pursue a course of study not offered through the regular curriculum.

Lepko's principal, Cal O'Brien, evaluates and approves about 10 project proposals a year, despite a student body of about 800.

"It isn't enormously popular because putting the project together involves a lot of work," said O'Brien. "But, it gives students ownership over what they're learning . . ."

As for Lepko's shooting project, O'Brien was surprised when it was first pitched, but after some research, he determined it met all of the criteria.

"It certainly is one of the more unusual project ideas that's crossed my desk. She was interested in taking law enforcement in the future."

The Canadian Journal of Public Health, however, has reported that guns are the third leading cause of death among Canadians aged 15 to 24, following motor vehicle accidents and suicide by other means.

But when asked what the public's perception of a pistol-packing student might be, O'Brien said he isn't concerned. "I'm very comfortable with the project. She's interested in learning how to properly use and care for a gun -- it's far less dangerous in a controlled environment."

Calgary police Insp. Rene Bailly noted it was good Lepko was learning to shoot in a safe environment, but expressed surprise about the special projects program.

"That's an unusual way to get credits for high school," he said.

http://www.canada.com/calgary/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=a61127b0-9e6d-432d-82d6-2a964cd6bb23

 

[4v50 Gary]

This really makes me feel like I had a deprived childhood. I didn't get to do nifty things like this in school.

Kudos to the young lady who learns a skill that will teach her mental discipline and may even save her life someday. BTW, any chance that we can learn from our Northern Neighbors?

 

[Chipperman]

A surprisingly upbeat spin on the article from our Northern Anti neighbors.

I doubt it would have been so warm and fuzzy if the student had been male.

 

[extremefishin00]

I can only imagine what would happen if a student in an American high school suggested such a project. First, the police would be called, their locker would be searched, and they would be remanded for therapy. Then they would have a mark on their record as an unstable and dangerous individual.

Congrats to the young lady, she certainly has good taste in firearms. I guess Sig still sells the 9mm 220's up there.

Chris

 

[Chipperman]

I wonder if the photographer wanted her to pose with her finger on the trigger. Glad to see it is well indexed, even if she's in a Charlie's Angel's pose.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Betcha you're right about the pose Chipperman. That thought had crossed my mind and it's the same reason why a lot of TV cops have shoulder holsters - more visible to the viewer.

 

[Standing Wolf]

"Shooting takes a lot of discipline and skill, and safety is very important. You can never do anything that might endanger anyone else," Lepko said.

I think the next generation is going to do just fine.

 

[nemesis]

Our local paper will never identify a criminal as an illegal alien and often chooses to omit articles that would not be favorable to "migrants" but has no difficulty printing articles about shooters and guns.

Straight Shooter: Student Parlays Ability Into Scholarship