Heather Haines, 4-H Agent, UGA Extension Forsyth County
The National 4-H Shooting Sports Championships is an annual event that brings together youth from across the United States to compete in various shooting disciplines. The competition typically includes events in archery, rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader, and pistol. Participants qualify for the national championship through state-level competitions and must demonstrate not only shooting proficiency but also knowledge of safety, ethics, and sportsmanship. The event emphasizes youth development and education, aligning with the broader 4-H mission of fostering skills and leadership in young people. Youth learn marksmanship, the safe and responsible use of firearms, the principles of hunting and archery, and much more. Participation in 4-H shooting sports also offers youth the opportunity to build relationships with caring adult leaders who provide young people with opportunities to develop life skills, self-worth, and conservation ethics.
The national contest is held yearly in Grand Island, Nebraska, at the Heartland Public Shooting Park. On June 23, 2024, the Forsyth County 4-H Recurve Archery Team traveled to the contest site to represent Georgia 4-H. To secure this honor, the team first had to beat 17 teams from across Georgia.
The team, led by Volunteer Coach Billy Wood, competed against 16 recurve archery teams from across the country while they were in Nebraska. Team members included Aarush Aritakula (Alliance Academy for Innovation), Sri Eesha Datla (South Forsyth High School), Rathna Malapati (South Forsyth High School), and Maya Wood (East Forsyth High School).
Throughout the week, the team was tasked with shooting in various environments to showcase their skills. The team placed 2nd in the field division, 1st in FITA, 5th in 3D, and 4th overall.
Individually, the team also performed well. Sri Eesha Datla placed 2nd in the field division, with Aarush Aritakula right behind her in 4th place. In FITA, Aarush placed 2nd, and Eesha placed 4th. On the third day of the contest, Eesha placed 2nd in the 3D division. Eesha secured 2nd place overall, and Aarush placed 8th overall.
The success of Forsyth County’s 4-H program is made possible through collaborative efforts, with backing from The University of Georgia, Forsyth County Board of Commissioners, Forsyth County Board of Education, United Way of Forsyth County, and private donors. For those interested in learning more about 4-H opportunities, inquiries can be directed to the Forsyth County Extension Office at 770-887-2418 or via email at forsyth.extension@uga.edu. Join us in shaping tomorrow’s leaders through the power of 4-H!