[Image: Archery]On May 2-3, 2008 the Ascension Parish 4-H Shooting Sports members, went to Tallow Creek in Goodbee, Louisiana to compete in the State competition. There were lots of events that went on throughout the weekend, Archery, Shotgun, Air Rifle, 22, Hunting, Air Pistol and BB are what the Ascension 4-H Shooting Sports members competed in. In April, each region held a competition that produced the top 15 in each event which lead to the state competition. Competitors that are at the age of 9-13 years competed as a Junior and 14-21 years competed as a Senior in each event.
On Friday, thru the downpour of rain, students managed to compete in Archery and 22, there were two divisions in Archery - Bare Bow and Compound Bow. In the Junior division, Bare Bow, 4 students placed in the top ten, Chelsie Reed received 3rd, Joseph Babineaux 5th, Mitchell Sanders 10th, while Ashley Reddicks finished up 12th. Compound Jr. Division, three competed, Gordon Waguespack received 1st, Joseph Babineaux 8th while Caine Centanni finished up 12th. In the Senior Division, In Bare Bow four students competed and the standings were: Taylor Gentile received 6th, Brett Brown 7th and Dylan Matthews 9th, meanwhile Brad Decoteau finished up with 12th. In Compound Senior, four boys competed and Brett Brown received 3rd and Taylor Gentile 9th, while Dylan Matthews finished up 12th and Brad Decoteau 14th.
22 Rifle Optical Jr. Division; in the top ten, Jacie Kennison received 2nd, Mitchell Sanders 3rd, Gordon Waguespack 7th,, Blake deVeer 8th, Caine Centanni 10th, while Katie deVeer finished up 14th, Kyle Boudin 19th and Kassie deVeer 24th. In the 22 Rifle Sr. Optical Division, in the top ten, Brett Brown received 4th, Justin Martin 5th, Taylor Gentile 6th, Dylan Matthews 7th and Brad Decoteau 10th. In the 22 Rifle Junior open site division, Joseph Babineaux place 3rd. At the end of the day the Air Rifle competition finished with Jacie Kennison placing 2nd, Katie deVeer 8th and Dillion Lejeune 9th.
On Saturday, with all of the rain, and thru all of the mud and muck, competition would finally start around 10am, Shotgun, BB and Air Pistol started and in the Senior Modified Trap division Brett Brown and Taylor Gentile shot 45 out of 50 and Justin Martin shot 43, while not placing in the top ten, we commend them on an outstanding job! In the Pistol Jr. Division, 2 handed bench, Colby Dixon received 2nd, Robert Brignac 3rd. Two handed standing division, Dillion Lejeune received 5[Image: BB Competition]>th, and Charles Bringac 6th, in the One handed division Dillion Lejune received 4th. This year one student competed in the Hunting skills, which consisted of shooting shotgun, archery, and taking a test of knowledge on tracks, pellets, skulls and furs, Charles Brignac did an outstanding job and received 11th. BB standing’s ended with Madison Guitreau receiving 11th, Sierra Braud 15th, Bobby Brignac 21st and Kassie deVeer 22nd.
In the Scrapbook contest, the club created a book which consisted of the years activities and placed 1st, Brett Brown, Taylor Gentile, Jacie Kennison, Katie deVeer, Brad Decoteau, Dylan Matthews, Justin Martin, Colby Dixon, Brendon Raffery and Joseph Babineaux were students that put the book together.
Congratulations to all of the 2008 winners!
A special thanks goes out to the Shooting Sports instructors, Carrie Brown, JoAnn Hullum, Carol Babineaux, Katina Hester, Marty Reed and Ted Hullum. A special thank you to Thad Bellow for all of his volunteer work in shotgun and 22 and helping in securing a range for our kids. Thank you to all of the wonderful parents who helped support and helped with volunteering at meetings.
The 4-H Shooting Sports program is an active program that is attractive to both youth and adults. The program uses experiential learning and positive interactions with youth and adult role models. Shotgu[Image: Ashley Reddicks' Archery]n, rifle, muzzleloader, archery and hunting disciplines are used to help young people develop self-concept, self-assurance and a positive self-image. The curriculum is designed to assist young people in establishing a personal environment ethic. Participants compete in the areas of Archery, Shotgun, BB gun, Air pistol, Air rifle, .22, muzzleloader, and hunting.
The National Rifle Association Foundation provides funding for the Ascension Parish 4-H Shooting Sports Program. The 4-H Shooting Sports program is a national 4-H program open to youth ages 10-19. The program is offered by the Louisiana State University AgCenter. For additional information on the Parish 4-H program or to volunteer, contact the LSU AgCenter in Ascension Parish at 621-5799.