Grand Knight Francis O'Donnell and Youth Director Christopher Heery of Damien Council # 598 have announced the champions of the local 2012 Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship. The competition was recently held at Saint John Neumann Regional School in Palmerton. All boys and girls ages 10 to 14 were eligible to participate.

Local champions include Sean and Stephen Heery, Emma McClafferty, and Jasmine Mooney - all of Lehighton. Winners from Palmerton are Lila Goodhile and Nicholas Papay. Additional champions include Jericho Burger of Aquishicola, Brendan Carroll of Jim Thorpe, and Lauren Miller of Blakeslee.These local champions went on to compete at the District # 41 competition - also held at Saint John Neumann Regional School in Palmerton.District champions from throughout the Carbon County area are Stephen Heery, Emma McClafferty, and Jasmine Mooney of Lehighton; Lila Goodhile and Nicholas Papay of Palmerton; Corbin Adams of Albrightsville; Lauren Miller of Blakeslee; and Ben and Jake Saxon of Lake Harmony.These district champions have earned the right to compete at the Northeastern Pennsylvania Regional competition on Sunday, February 26 at Monsignor McHugh Elementary School in Cresco, PA.The Knights of Columbus is an organization of Catholic men and their families based on the principles of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism. For more information about the Knights of Columbus, visit

www.KofC.org.