We're looking for the next Outstanding Achievement Youth Award winner

Up to $5,000 in prizes for youths active in the shooting sports

Fairfax, Virginia - Are there any junior shooters out there who would like an extra $5,000? The NRA and Brownells are putting a call out to all youth shooters. You don't need to make it in the X-ring every time you pull the trigger. The most important thing is that you have an active part in the shooting sports through individual participation and educational pursuits.
Alright, what does that mean?
There are many ways to be eligible for the Brownells/NRA Outstanding Achievement Youth Award, but all of them will will help you gain a greater appreciation for the opportunities out in the shooting sports world.
Check out the different requirements below and select the ones that work best for you. After you've completed the tasks, you'll be eligible for the national contest and will receive an official NRA Youth Award Certificate and Medal recognizing your accomplishment. Simple, right? The top three contestants are then chosen to receive prizes of $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000 each.
Before you go over the list, the first requirement is that you're under 21 or reach that age in 2014.
Second, complete the award's six Core Requirements:

• Eligible through the year of your 21st birthday.
• Attend and complete one NRA Basic Firearm Training Course.
• Participate in the Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program by earning a rating in one discipline.
• Attach an essay of no more than 1,000 words; the subject of the essay is “What the Shooting Sports has Taught Me,” describing why you began to participate in the shooting sports, the lessons learned and how you use these lessons in your everyday life.
• Three letters of reference, including one from your coach, and one from a teacher.
• A copy of your current school transcript.

Third, select five out of 19 Elective Requirements:

• Earn an NRA Classification Card by competing in an NRA-sanctioned competitive shooting event.
• Present the Eddie Eagle GunSafe® Program to a group of elementary school-age children between pre-Kindergarten and third grade.
• Attend and complete an additional NRA Basic Firearm Training Course.
• Earn an additional rating in the NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program.
• Compete in an NRA-sanctioned Sectional, Regional, or State Championship.
• Participate in an NRA Postal Match.
• Attend or volunteer at an NRA Shooting Sports Camp.
• Attend or volunteer at a Friends of NRA event.
• Attend the NRA Annual Meeting.
• Attend an NRA Youth Hunter Education Challenge event.
• Enter a submission for the NRA Youth Wildlife Art Contest.
• Be a current member of a local shooting club or team.
• Participate in a summer camp shooting program.
• Assist in a wildlife conservation, ECHO, or Hunters for the Hungry program.
• Complete a state-sponsored hunter education course.
• Participate in a shooting or hunting clinic.
• Participate or serve as a volunteer at an NRA national shooting sports event.
• Participate in a Boy Scout, Venturing, Law Enforcement Explorer, 4-H, FFA, DeMolay, American Legion, Jaycee, JROTC, or other recognized youth shooting program.
• Visit the National Firearms Museum or another museum which features firearm displays.

An application form can be found here. The deadline to enter is May 1 of each year. You still have a few months but it's best to get started early. These events can take a while and there's a lot to do.
If you have any questions, contact the NRA Youth Programs Department at (703) 267-1505 or email oayaprogram@nrahq.org.