Since 2005, the CMP has annually offered $1,000, one-year scholarships to current high school seniors based on academic merit, humanitarian efforts, extracurricular activities and marksmanship participation. Continuing this tradition, the CMP presents four, $5,000 annual scholarships ($20,000 over four years) to the top four applicants, as determined by members of the CMP Scholarship Committee.
Each of the four recurring $20,000 scholarships are named in honor of past CMP Board members Harry Sieben, Carolyn Hines, Jon Bengston and former Chair Judith Legerski.
This year’s recipients included:
Judith Legerski Scholarship: Elisa Boozer, Oklahoma City, OK
A former member of the Oklahoma Sharpshooters junior team, Elisa is a multi-time Oklahoma State Champion for both smallbore and air rifle and qualified for the Junior Olympics five times for air rifle and four times for smallbore. She also found international success, earning silver in the 10-meter women’s air rifle junior competition at the Leppa Grand Prix in Finland. Elisa went on to earn her Junior Distinguished Badge from the CMP in 2023 and is an honorary life member of the Oklahoma Rifle Association.
She credits marksmanship for teaching her focus, hard work and community. Academically, Elisa was a straight-A student, taking AP Honors and dual credit classes.
She joined the University of Kentucky rifle team this fall for her freshman season, majoring in business management.
Jon Bengston Scholarship: Hanna Goin, Walla Walla, WA
Hanna is a former member of the Walla Walla High School JROTC program’s rifle team, where her competitive marksmanship career began. While there, she competed multiple times at the Army JROTC and CMP National Championships and at the Junior Olympics in 2025. She also took first overall at the Idaho State Junior Olympics in air and smallbore rifle and was part of the Washington State Champion Precision Air Rifle Team.
Hanna has said that marksmanship has taught her that there is nothing desirable about staying within a comfort zone, helping her to stay mentally strong through adversity.
Academically, she took Honors, AP and dual enrollment courses during her high school days. She’s also an avid reader and completes book reviews on Instagram.
After spending years training 15 hours a week, hoping to earn a place on an NCAA team, Hanna joined the Morehead State rifle team this fall, majoring in pre-med.
Carolyn Hines Scholarship: Katlyn Sullivan, Statesboro, GA
Among several accolades, including multiple medals at the state and national level, Katlyn was a Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Individual State Champion in 2024 and 2025 and was a member of the All-Star State Team from 2023-2025. She was also a four-time qualifier for the National Junior Olympics in air rifle and was a two-time qualifier for smallbore. In 2023, she earned her Junior Distinguished Badge.
Katlyn has said marksmanship has taught her leadership, a growth mindset and how to achieve her goals – changing how she handles setbacks. Academically, Katlyn finished second out of 392 other students, mastering multiple AP classes, and she earned a place in the National Honor Society.
This fall, Katlyn joined the Nebraska Cornhuskers rifle team, studying mechanical engineering.
Harry Sieben Scholarship: Dominic DeBenedetto, Prairieville, LA
Domonic began in marksmanship through his local 4-H program at just nine years old. He’s a six-time Nationals qualifier and placed fifth overall at the 4-H Nationals in air rifle (his team placing first in both air rifle and smallbore). He went on to attend the Daisy BB Nationals – a dream of his since beginning in 4-H nearly a decade ago. He is also an accomplished rifle silhouette competitor who has competed in local, regional and national championships in the discipline, and he takes part in pistol/air pistol shooting.
He credits marksmanship for helping him become his true self and for leading him to a role as an ambassador within his community – hoping to make a difference in the lives of other youth.
Academically, Domonic finished in the top three percent of his 500-student class, even through Honors, AP and dual enrollment classes. He will take his intellect on toward his lifelong goal of becoming an engineer, studying at Louisiana Tech.
Look for info on CMP’s 2025-2026 Scholarships soon!
Each year, the CMP offers $1,000, $3,000 and $5,000 one-year scholarship assistance to qualified junior marksmen in order to encourage and reward their outstanding efforts along with four, four-year recurring $5,000 scholarships ($20,000 to each individual). CMP Scholarships may be used to fund any accredited secondary education, technical/trade school or vocational program.
Learn more about the CMP’s Scholarship Program at https://thecmp.org/youth/cmp-scholarship-program/.
The Civilian Marksmanship Program is a federally chartered 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation that places its highest priority on firearms safety and marksmanship activities, with a focus on youth. CMP’s programs encourage personal growth and build life skills, with such initiatives as its junior training and competition programs, Affiliated Club program and scholarships providing support to citizens of all backgrounds across the nation. Learn more about the CMP at https://thecmp.org/.
Read the full article here
