Mary Moore Elementary sixth grader Kate Fulton is taking her best shot yet straight to Chicago!
After outshooting more than 112,000 students nationwide, Kate is advancing to the Hoop Shoot National Competition on April 18. She is set to compete against 11 other regional champions for the national title and the chance to have her name inscribed on the Elks trophy displayed in the Basketball Hall of Fame.
“I like basketball because of the competition, and it’s really fun,” Fulton said. “The first year I did it, I got second place. Then, I came back, and I just wanted to win it all!”
Kate’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. She first won the Arlington Elks Lodge contest, then the North Central District shoot‑off, followed by the Texas Elks State Association championship. Kate secured her national spot by winning the 2026 Southwest Regional Elks Hoop Shoot Free Throw Contest after sinking 19 of 25 free throws. More than 20,000 students from Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Louisiana competed in the Southwest Region alone.
“I’ve had a few students go on to district, but Kate is the first one to make it all the way to national,” said Gage Harlan, P.E. teacher at Mary Moore. “In fact, she is the third Arlington ISD student to make it to national in all of Arlington ISD history.”
Kate has attended Mary Moore Elementary since kindergarten, earning a reputation as an exceptional all‑around athlete and dedicated student.
“This is such a huge opportunity, she’s our first ever student to do this, and so we’re very proud of her,” said Ravin Jackson, principal at Mary Moore. “Kate shows so much leadership on our campus, she’s positive, and brings so much energy to our campus.”
To honor her achievement, Mary Moore Elementary hosted a clap‑out celebration on April 15. Students lined the hallways with handmade signs, cheering and high‑fiving as Kate made her way through the building. Girls’ basketball players from Martin High School and Seguin High School joined the celebration, offering words of encouragement as Kate prepares to represent Arlington ISD on the national stage.
“I just keep practicing every day I can,” Fulton said. “I’m really nervous, but also excited, because I’m going all the way to Chicago and it’s just a really big deal.”
Go Kate!