Scholarship honors friend who impacted youth

Cassie Haldeman is taking aim at a career in the medical field and her friends in the Indian Creek Bowhunters are assisting her in hitting the bull’s eye by awarding her one of two Ray Lewis Memorial Scholarships.

The Ray Lewis Memorial Shoot was developed last year, and proceeds from that shoot go to fund a scholarship for one male and one female graduating student, according to organizers, who named the scholarship after someone who made a big impact on youth.

Haldeman is a student at New Hope Church Academy in Silva. She plans to attend Kentucky Christian University in the fall.

Her parents, Renee and Robert Haldeman, work in the medical field. Renee works in x-ray and Robert is a nurse.

Haldeman has volunteered at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center and shadowed at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center.

The namesake of the scholarship, Ray Lewis, was involved in competitive archer for many years in Southeast Missouri, along with his wife, Joann, said Brad Massey of the Indian Creek Bowhunters.

“They traveled all over the country competing in national events and winning several major events throughout the years, but really just enjoyed archery and being around other archers,” he shared.

They were very active members of the Indian Creek Bowhunters Inc.

“(They) donated so much of their time to ensure there was a bow shoot each month here in Poplar Bluff,” Massey continued. “Ray enjoyed helping other archers, young and old, with any issues or problems they were fighting with on their bow or shooting techniques. The two never met a stranger and made lasting impressions on everyone they met.

“To honor the lifelong dedication Ray and Joann had to archery and the Indian Creek Bowhunters group, we decided what better way to keep their memory alive, than to help two young archers (each) year that are furthering their education with college or a trade, with a scholarship.”