Heather Haines, 4-H Agent, UGA Extension Forsyth County
The Georgia 4-H Project S.A.F.E. (Shooting, Awareness, Fun, and Education) Program continues to hit the bullseye with its impactful shooting sports program. On January 18, 2025, 761 archers from across the state gathered at the McGill Building on the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry to compete in the Georgia 4-H State Indoor Archery Match. This event highlighted the dedication, skills, and sportsmanship of young participants from 110 counties, all united by their passion for archery.
Project S.A.F.E. is more than a shooting sports program; it is a transformative experience for youth, emphasizing safety, teamwork, concentration, and responsibility. Guided by trained certified volunteer coaches, participants develop essential life skills while learning the safe and responsible use of archery equipment.
This year, Forsyth County 4-H was well-represented, with 24 4th-12th grade archers competing in various divisions, including Cloverleaf, Junior, and Senior age groups, as well as Novice, Recurve, and Compound categories. Each participant had the opportunity to showcase their hard work and dedication, with several achieving remarkable success. The team is led by Head Coaches Kyle and Ashlee Jaacks, assisted by Certified Coaches Bala Datla, Drew Rhodes, Billy Wood, and Volunteer team mom Deb Wood.
Team members who competed include: Aarush Aritakula, Tallulah Bates, Clark Christensen, Sienna Christiansen, Sri Eesha Datla, Nick Findley, Veda Govindaluri, Sripranavi Gundavarapu, Emma Haines, Sophie Jaacks, Aarav Jaiswal, Sophia Kratz, Katie Lowery, Advik Matta, Asher Million, Makenna Million, Divya Patil, Kamryn Peters, Kartikeya Putta, Umesh Putta, Vikhyat Ramineni, Andrew Rhodes, Caroline Rhodes, Elin Turner, Ishaan Vadlamudi, and Maya Wood.
The McGill Building at the Georgia National Fairgrounds buzzed with energy as archers, coaches, and families came together to support one another. From first-time competitors to seasoned athletes, every participant contributed to the spirit of community and sportsmanship that defines Georgia 4-H events.
Top 5 placements included:
Sri Eesha Datla: Achieved 1st place in the Senior Female Recurve division
Clark Christensen: Secured 2nd place in the Junior Male Recurve division
Veda Govindaluri: Earned 5th place in the Senior Female Recurve division
Divya Patil: Took 5th place in the Junior Female Recurve division
Looking ahead, Forsyth County 4-H aims to continue expanding its shooting sports program, providing more opportunities for local youth to participate and excel. With the guidance of passionate volunteer coaches and the unwavering support of the community, the program is set to reach even greater heights in 2025 and beyond.
Congratulations to all participants on their hard work and achievements! 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 forsythcounty4h@uga.edu.