Kiwanis Club of Greater Picayune Area holds annual fishing rodeo

Last Thursday, the Greater Picayune Area Kiwanis Club held their annual fishing rodeo for the special needs students of Pearl River Central School District.

For many of the students, their lives look very different from students without special needs, and this event gives them an opportunity to be a normal kid, and in the Kiwanis Club’s mind, there’s no better way to do that than through fishing, food, and fellowship.

After arriving at the Pearl River Baptist Association grounds in McNeill, each student was guided by a volunteer who assisted with baiting the hook and casting, if necessary.

The rodeo functions like a tournament with a fishing session in the morning, a break for lunch, and a short session after lunch. Prizes were awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in total weight as well as a separate award for the “cluncker” (biggest fish).

The Kiwanis partnered with the Key Club and the PRC Bass Assassins to make the event possible. A total of 98 people participated in the event including both student athletes and volunteers.

When asked about the hard work involved, club Vice President Kenny McDonald stated, “seeing the kids and the smiles on their faces makes it all worth it.”

This is the Kiwanis 15th year to conduct the event and their 4th year to do it with the Bass Assassins.