Five shooters standing in a line with guns ready to fire. Each of them getting ready to shoot as it gets nearer to their turn. With few girls lined up, one of them takes aim and fires at the blaze orange target.

Emily Donner (’15) is one of few girls on the Trap Shooting team at Stillwater Area High School. She joined last year as a way to spend time outside and enjoy the sport she loves, shooting.

“It was something I have always done with my dad and whenever I went to visit my papa [grandfather],” explained Emily. “I have been hunting/shooting as long as I can remember. When I was about one and a half years old my papa gave me a gun for Christmas.”

Emily enjoys this activity as it reminds her of past memories with her dad and her younger sister, Grace Donner.

“I really like being outside and hunting is one way to do that,” expressed Emily. “Plus it’s something my dad taught me and his older brothers taught him.”

Emily’s sister Grace joined the Trap team along with her, which can become clicky with sisters who share the same interest.

“I have always had her around for sports because she tends to end up joining the same sports as I do,” described Emily. “However, I have gotten used to it. She has kind of done everything that I have done since I was little.”

Even with the clicks that these sisters have at times they still allow time to have fun with each other and enjoy shooting.

“I thought it was really funny when my sister realized that when you shoot for scores [out of 25] not all the clay pigeons fly straight, like the ones she has practiced on in the past,” stated Emily.

Emily might not be the best shooter, but she is learning the ropes to become better.

“I’m better with my bow not so much my gun,” explained Emily. “I’m still learning. There are good days and bad. The wind is terrible contributor because it causes the clay pigeons to jump around and makes it difficult to shoot.”

Emily feels comfortable shooting because it focuses more on skill than on how athletic one must be. This allows for constant improvement.

“I’m not a very athletic person and it’s more of a skilled sport, allowing me to improve and get better at it,” expressed Emily.

With Emily having one more season after this year she has plenty of time to improve her skills on shooting. This season the Trap team has less than 10 girls and are hoping to get more for next year. Emily will continue to shoot and hunt to enjoy the outdoors along with loved ones who like to do the same.