When it comes to future success, one factor has a strong influence: grit. According to researchers from the University of Pennsylvania, grit is a more accurate predictor of success than IQ, physical health, social intelligence or attractiveness.

Members of the Columbia-Middletown Elks 1074 have been promoting the power of grit for decades through the Elks Hoop Shoot. The event, open to anyone between the ages of 8 and 13, will be held this year on Sunday, Nov. 3, in the gym at Park Elementary School, 50 S. Sixth St., Columbia. Doors will open at 11:30 a.m., and the contest will begin at 12:30 p.m.

"The Hoop Shoot started in 1946 at national level," said Valerie Kissinger, chair of the local event. "At first, it was just boys, but in '74, they allowed girls to enter." Over the years, Columbia's event has drawn strong participation, but that dwindled a bit since COVID, so organizers are hoping to build the event back up to its pre-pandemic level.

For the free-throw competition, children are divided into three age groups and separated by gender. Each participant may take warm-up shots and then will attempt to make as many baskets as possible in 25 shots.

Prizes will be awarded for first-, second- and third-place finishers, and the top scorer in each division will move on to a district competition in January 2025.

"From there, winners will go to the state competition in March and then on to the regional competition and to the finals, which will be held in April in Chicago," Kissinger said. "In the past, we have had people move on to states, but we haven't had anyone go to nationals. We'd love to see that happen."

At the national event, six finalists are crowned national champions, and their names are displayed in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass.

The Hoop Shoot is open to anyone in the age range from any area, and participants do not have to be members of a basketball team to participate. Members of the Columbia High School basketball team will volunteer at the event, helping with rebounds and serving as role models for the younger kids, Kissinger said.

The mission of the event is to have fun but also to help students set a goal, she explained.

"I think a competition like this is good for kids because it's something they can practice and strive for," she shared. "They start building that grit and determination, and that helps them throughout their life."

Hosting the Hoop Shoot is just one way the Elks give back to the community, said volunteer Robin Gamby.

"We do a lot of things for the community," she said, noting that the organization participates in National Night Out and hosts a Flag Day event. "We want to make an impact, and the Hoop Shoot is a way for us to reach out to kids in the community."

The Hoop Shoot is part of the organization's charitable arm, the Elks National Foundation (ENF). The ENF strives to build stronger communities through programs that support youths, serve veterans and meet local needs.

For more information on the Hoop Shoot, visit https://tinyurl.com/4vjut2wb, call 717-575-9032 or email bpoe1074@comcast.net. Participants who register by Friday, Oct. 25, will be entered in a drawing for Dick's Sporting Goods gift cards. Preregistration is encouraged for the event, but it is not required.