 |
Rain, Rain..... Go Away!
On May 3, 2004, Whitney elementary and high school students enjoyed sunny skies and a light breeze at the first annual C.A.S.T. for Kids fishing event at Whitney Lake. The beautiful weather was a big departure from the heavy thunderstorms that cut short the event on the original date, Saturday April 24th. Saturday's storms forced participants and volunteers to seek shelter at the local intermediate school, where everyone was treated to doughnuts, followed by a water safety presentation and a quick review of fishing safety and knot tying.
The fishing portion of the event was reorganized and held on Monday, May 3rd. Students and volunteers shared a hot dog lunch at Lofers Bend Day Use Park, followed by an afternoon of bank and dock fishing. The event was a great success, with many of the students catching fish. This was the first time many of these students have ever been fishing. One elementary student told event organizers that she "had fun, even though [she] didn't get to catch a fish".
This year's event capitalized on the Whitney High School Peer Assistance Leadership (PALs), a program that pairs high school students with elementary students needing a "mentor". The PALs help the younger students (PALees) deal with a wide variety of issues throughout the school year. The friendship and support fostered through the PALs program was evident as 12 high school students and their 12 elementary "PALees" spent a fun afternoon fishing together. The event will certainly be remembered for years to come. Just before getting on the bus to leave, one of the boys said: "This was the most fun I've ever had!"
Because of the generosity of our sponsors and the C.A.S.T. for Kids organization, each of the participants took home a fishing pole, tackle box, tackle, t-shirt, ball caps, polarized sunglasses, and many other surprises. The high school PALs also received a t-shirt, sunglasses and ball caps to commemorate their participation in the event, and were awarded ½ price passes to Six Flags Hurricane Harbor.
We look forward to the next event in 2005! If you are interested in becoming involved in next year's C.A.S.T. for Kids fishing event, please contact the Corps of Engineers at Whitney Lake.
Event Sponsors:
| Bliss-Murski Sales | | Whitney Lake Marina at Juniper Cove | |
Brookshire's Grocery Stores | | Texas Army National Guard | |
Short Stop | | DFW Group | |
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts | | Six Flags Hurricane Harbor | |
Whitney ISD | | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
|
(Click on a picture to enlarge)
|
