The new president of the Williams Lake Sportsmen’s Association is putting a twist on the old role —because this sportsman is a woman.
Caroline Chupa has taken on the position, and for the first time in history, there is both a female president and vice president.
Chupa is not new to the organization, however, and 15 years ago, she served as vice president under Barry Jenkins.
“He is my mentor,” she said of Jenkins, a longtime advocate for the organization.
Jenkins was the person who encouraged her to get involved and become a firearms instructor.
But leading the charge as president is a new challenge.
“I’m a little bit nervous because this is a new position for me,” she said.
But Chupa said there is a really cool dynamic on the board of directors, and having been involved with the organization for more than 15 years, she has hunted and shot with the so-called “old timers” and they are a great resource for her.
This new role is also on top of her really busy career teaching and tutoring.
“I’m scary busy,” she said, while scheduling in a 15-minute chat four days in the future.
Chupa teaches both high school math and law, and tutors on the side, noting she can service about 250 students in a year in the community.
“I love them all,” she said of her students.
Chupa became an instructor teaching Possessions and Acquisition Licence (P.A.L.) and Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Education (C.O.R.E.) programs, including restricted weapons like handguns. She has helped to organize ladies’ day shoots and an inter-agency shoot. At an inter-agency shoot, RCMP, Conservation Officers, Sheriffs and civilian members of the International Practical Shooters Confederation compete for accuracy and time using different targets and activities.
Chupa has her Master degree in Education Leadership from Yorkville University.
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