Hillsdale College welcomed to campus a group of 57 high school students from the across the country who attended the Liberty and Learning Youth Conference on July 11-14. They studied the principles of Constitutional government and free-market economics with Hillsdale College faculty while practicing marksmanship at the Hillsdale College Shooting Sports Center.

The winner of the essay competition, Shannon Draeker, received a $4,000 scholarship to Hillsdale College, contingent upon her enrollment. Shannon is a rising homeschooled senior from Longmont, Colorado. She was the 2007 junior state champion for outdoor smallbore prone in California, and she is the reigning junior champion for Colorado. She competed in air rifle in the Junior Olympics in 2009 and 2011.

Michael Ammerman won the shooting competition and a cash prize of $250. Michael is a rising junior from Maybee, Michigan, and he attends Monroe High School. An avid shooter, he is an AIM/ATA squad member. He and his squad took third nationally at the Grand American Trap Shoot.

The College wishes to thank Winchester for sponsoring the event.