The grit movement started a few years ago when psychologist Angela Duckworth studied people in challenging situations, including National Spelling Bee participants, rookie teachers in tough neighborhoods, and West Point cadets. Her research suggested that grit was a more accurate predictor of success than social intelligence, good looks, physical health, or IQ. Duckworth explains the premise in this short Ted Talk.
Through the Hoop Shoot program, the Elks have been unleashing grit for more than 50 years—long before researchers and experts concluded that grit is so important for our children. Just listen to the parents and contestants in these videos. They’re talking about grit.
Stay Focused
Sponsored by Delray Beach, Fla., Lodge No. 1770, Croix Kendall made 24/25 shots, but so did competitor Samuel Nolan. With everything on the line, the boys went into a tie-breaking shoot-off, and Croix tried his best to stay focused. Check out Croix's Griteo to see how he did. #TrueGritTuesday
Off the Island
Meet Kekane Manuia, who traveled all the way from Hawaii to compete in the National Finals. Kekane placed 11th in the 12-13 boys division but took home experiences more valuable than a trophy. Despite the cold, he was all smiles, and his parents are grateful for the opportunity basketball has provided for him to see the world. #TrueGritTuesday
Meet Ellison Graham
Ellison Graham, sponsored by Great Falls, Mont., Lodge No. 214, was one of 10 Hoop Shoot National Finalists to shoot a perfect 25/25. But, she was on the only perfect score in the girls division, and the first in the 8-9-year-old girls division since 2013. After a tough loss in 2019, she bounced back to earn a Getty Powell Award. (Runtime: 2 mins., 6 secs.)
News coverage: MontanaSports.com |
Filming: Tell Media in Missoula, Montana |
Production, Editing, Motion Graphics: Kirby Productions
Meet Caden Thompson
Caden Thompson lost a shoot-out for third at the 2019 Hoop Shoot National Finals. But he got his shot at redemption in 2020. He shot perfectly—but so did three other 12-13 boys. Caden, sponsored by Claremore, Okla., Lodge No. 1230, relied on his grit to take home the gold, and a Getty Powell Award. (Runtime: 2 mins., 57 secs.)
Filming: Intent Productions in Tulsa, Oklahoma |
Production, Editing, Motion Graphics: Kirby Productions
One Thumb Down
It's #TrueGritTuesday! In the seventh installment of the 2019 Griteo series, 2019 #HoopShoot National Finalist Saige Oliver shares how her broken thumb was no match for her determination. Check it out! (Runtime: 2 mins., 21 secs.)
Give to Get
It's #TrueGritTuesday! In the sixth installment of this year's Griteo film series, 2019 Hoop Shoot National Finalist Tommy Goodelle shares what sportsmanship means to him. Check it out! (Runtime: 4 mins., 21 sec.)
The Hoop Shoot Means Family
It's #TrueGritTuesday! In the fifth installment of this year's Griteo film series, 2019 Hoop Shoot National Finalist Kaylee King and her mom, Paula—a 1991 Hoop Shoot National Champion—share what it was like to participate in the #HoopShoot, then and now. (Runtime: 3 mins., 22 sec.)
Taking Off
It's #TrueGritTuesday! In the fourth installment of this year's Griteo film series, 2019 Hoop Shoot National Finalist Saige Oliver and her Parents David and Hailey share their approach to the #HoopShoot and goal setting--hint, it's all about staying cool under pressure! (Runtime: 2 mins., 57 sec.)
One More
It's #TrueGritTuesday! In the third installment of the 2019 Griteo series, 2019 Hoop Shoot National Finalist Barron Silsby shares about his personal growth and goals—both shaped by his five years as a #HoopShoot participant. Check it out! (Runtime: 1 min., 56 secs.)
The Family Religion
It's #TrueGritTuesday! In the second video of this year's Griteo film series, 2019 Hoop Shoot National Finalist Wayne Bower and his dad, Jacob, a 1997 Hoop Shoot National Champion, share how Wayne is carrying on his family's tradition as a #HoopShoot participant. Check it out! (Runtime: 2 mins., 50 sec.)
Bounce Back
#TrueGritTuesdays are back! In our first video of this year's Griteo film series, 2019 Hoop Shoot National Finalist Tajianna Roberts shares how she learned to trust the process and bounce back from a loss. Check it out! (Runtime: 2 mins., 14 secs).
Rivals or Role Models?
Fischer Brown has been competing in the Elks #HoopShoot for six years. On his journey, he learned that he can be both a competitor and a role model. Watch the last Griteo from the 2018 National Finals. #TrueGritTuesday (Runtime: 2 mins., 20 secs.)
Where Kindness Can Get You
2018 Hoop Shoot National Finalist Ralee Bare, representing North Wilkesboro, N.C., Lodge No. 1846, and her family were blown away by how much #ElksCare and the kindness they received while Ralee competed in the Hoop Shoot.
Watch as Ralee and her mother share their gratitude in the second to last Griteo from the 2018 Hoop Shoot season below! (Runtime: 2 mins., 16 secs.)
Small Town, Big Dreams
2018 Hoop Shoot National Finalist Brenley is a hometown hero! She won every #HoopShoot contest, made it out of her small town of 6,000 people, near Ely, Nevada, Lodge No. 1469, and traveled all the way to Chicago to step up to the line. Here's the sixth installment of #TrueGritTuesday. Enjoy! (Runtime: 3 mins., 23 secs.)
Confidence Under Pressure
At 11 years old, Dustin already knows how to stay cool under pressure—even thrive on it—thanks to the Hoop Shoot contests. Watch to see what else Dustin learned from the #HoopShoot because it's #TrueGritTuesday! (Runtime: 1 min., 56 secs.)
Sister, Sister
2018 National Champion Kameryn Ketcham might've competed in the same age group as her younger sister, but that doesn't stop them from having an unbreakable bond. #TrueGritTuesday (Runtime: 2 mins., 4 secs.)
The Monkey Bars to Success
One time, when Adisyn fell off the monkey bars, she told herself, "Adisyn, you can do it!" She got back up, and did it. Now, she tells herself that when she steps up to the #HoopShoot line. Watch her and her dad share other funny stories from the 2018 Hoop Shoot National Finals because it's #TrueGritTuesday! (Runtime: 2 mins., 31 secs.)
The Happy Place
Next up in #TrueGritTuesdays is 2018 National Finalist John Abernathy! Even though John's father, Charles, is home just a week at a time while he serves on active duty in the military, John says he wouldn't have made it to the #HoopShoot National Finals without him. Fortunately, Charles was able to make the trip to Chicago to see John compete and helped him go to his "happy place." Watch them share their story! (Runtime: 3 mins., 04 secs.)
Free Throws and the Flu
#TrueGritTuesdays are back! In our first video of this year's Griteo film series, 2018 Hoop Shoot National Finalist Fischer Brown shares how he pushed aside the flu, scored the most free throws and advanced to the next Hoop Shoot contest. He also shares the life lessons he's learned because of the Hoop Shoot. Check it out! (Runtime: 2 mins., 41 secs.)
Deja Finn
Blake and Bailey Finn are no strangers to the Hoop Shoot. Blake was a 2010 National Champion and Getty Powell winner, and Bailey is a 2014 National Champion who will compete in her fourth Hoop Shoot this season. Shooting 100 to 200 free throws a day, five days a week shows the Finns know about grit.
Bigger Scheme Called Life
Through dedication and commitment, 2013 Elks Hoop Shoot National Champion Grant Barnhart returned to the Finals in 2017. Along the way, he learned lessons that not only apply to the Hoop Shoot, but as his father, Mark, said, "a bigger scheme called life."
I'll Be Back
2017 Hoop Shoot National Finalist DeShun Coleman pushed himself to return to Chicago after falling short at the previous year's National Finals. He shares what he learned from practicing free throws with his dad and how he made his comeback.
Don't Count Yourself Out
Macy Richardson talks about what it was like to win the 2016 Hoop Shoot National Finals and her brother, Andrew, talks about the lessons he learned from Hoop Shoot as he prepared for the 2017 Hoop Shoot National Finals.
Fifth Time's the Charm
After falling short at the Region 12 Contest four years in a row, Ellie DiGiacomo finally broke through last year. She and her dad, Joe, reflect on her quest to reach the Hoop Shoot National Finals.
Bit by the Hoop Shoot Bug
Jennifer's best memories of basketball were with the Hoop Shoot. Now, she's reliving those experiences with her daughter, Alexis.
Practice Makes Perfect
The third time may be the charm, but it was lots of hard work that made the difference for Mitchell Leas on his third trip down the road to the Hoop Shoot National Finals.
For my Sisters
Samantha Griebel's older sisters taught her how to play basketball. One of them was a state Hoop Shoot finalist once. Another reached the National Finals in 2015. In 2016, Samantha put them all on her back for a Finals run of her own.
Fatten the Hog
The father of a three-time national finalist reflects on the lessons learned--and his son's growth--through the Hoop Shoot program.
Hangin' Out
Time spent with your kids is never wasted. Parent Matt Parkhouse reminds us that developing grit isn't the only benefit of the Hoop Shoot program.
Gettin' After It
Playing basketball when they were growing up taught Marcus Parker and his siblings to set goals and go after them. Now, he sees his daughter Naomi learning similar lessons through the Hoop Shoot.
Anything You Can Do
Hoop Shoot legend C.J. Cowgill won four national titles in the '80s and '90s. His nephew Camden? Not impressed. Nancy Cowgill, their mother and grandmother, talks about what the program has meant to her family.
Sibling Rivalry
Meet brother and sister Jackson and Justice Midyett, who pushed each other all the way to the 2016 Hoop Shoot National Finals.
Welcome to the Family
The Richardsons of Nebraska were expecting a fun competition when they started down the Road to Chicago in 2016. They got so much more.
Under Pressure
A good deed, honestly and promptly performed, is its own reward, but every now and then...
Ice Cream and the Rocky Road Back
Setting goals and working hard to achieve them are keys to developing grit. As adults, we can be facilitators, but as we see in "Ice Cream and the Rocky Road Back", we need to be careful about the incentives we use…
Check out this blog post for the nitty-gritty on the film.
Father of the Man
In "Father of the Man", we're reminded of William Wordsworth's poem "The Rainbow." The experiences we have as children--the lessons we learn and the habits we form--shape the adults we become.
Check out this blog post for the nitty-gritty on the film.
Preparation Meets Opportunity
Developing grit would be easy if we could simply explain to kids the benefits of hard work and practice. It doesn’t work that way. But when they work hard at something they love, they’ll see the payoff and learn the lesson for themselves.
Check out this blog post for the nitty-gritty on the film.
A Real Cool Hand
Cool Hand Luke said it best: "Sometimes nothing can be a real cool hand." When it comes to developing grit, losing is part of the process.
Check out this blog post for the nitty-gritty on the film.
All in the Elks Family
Perseverance can't be forced. But what we can do as volunteers is provide encouragement and support so that the #HoopShoot competitors have a chance to figure it out for themselves.
Check out this blog post for the nitty-gritty on the film.
My Sister's Footsteps
In "My Sister’s Footsteps," we catch up with #HoopShoot royalty and hear firsthand what our program teaches.
Check out this blog post for the nitty-gritty on the film.