Ascension Parish 4-H Shooting Sports is making final preparations for the upcoming Regional meet. The Southeast Regional competition will be held at Tallow Creek in Goodbee, Louisiana on April 4th and 5th. Ascension Parish will have participates competing in several disciplines including Archery, BB. Air Rifle, Air Pistol, .22, Shotgun and Hunting.
As final preparation several members participated in an optional district competition, hosted by East Baton Rouge Parish 4-H Foundation in Baker, Louisiana on Saturday, March 29.
Competing in shotgun were Brett Brown, Taylor Gentile, Dylan Matthews, Brad Decoteau, Justin Martin, Kyle Baudin, Gordon Waguespack, Joseph Babineaux, Blake Deveer, and Adam Kling. The Ascension Parish Senior and Junior Shotgun teams both placed first in their division. In the senior division, Brett Brown placed first while Taylor Gentile placed fourth in individual competition. The junior division individual placements included Kyle Baudin in second place and Gordon Waguespack in third place.
Bringing home the first place Junior Air Rifle team was Katie Deveer, Jacie Kennison, Dillion LeJeune, and Charles Brignac. Placing first in the individual competition was Jacie Kennison.
While Ascension Parish did not have an Air Pistol team, three individuals tested their skills. In the Junior 1 division was Colby Dixon, placing first and Bobby Brignac placing second. Charles Brignac competed in the Junior II division and brought home the first place award.
Final competition was in the area of Archery. Representing Ascension Parish on the Archery Team was Brett Brown, Taylor Gentile, Dylan Matthews, Brad Decoteau and Joseph Babineaux. The senior archery team brought home 1st place in the compound division. Placing second individual in the Senior Individual was Brett Brown in the compound archery division while Joseph Babineaux placed first in the Junior Recurve division.
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. Shotgun, 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, hunting and ATV.
A special thanks to the shooting sports instructors and volunteers who help to make the Ascension Parish 4-H Shooting Program a success.
Instructors: Jo Ann Hullum - Parish Coordinator & Rifle Instructor; Ted Hullum - Shotgun & Hunting Instructor; Carrie Brown - Rifle & Pistol & Shotgun Instructor; Carol Babineaux - Archery Instructor;Marty Reed - Archery Instructor; Katina Hester - Rifle Instructor.
Parent & Community Volunteers: Thad Bellow, Mike Centanni, Stacey Brignac, David & Michelle Deveer, Janet & Jamie Kennison, Paul Gentile, Clyde Waguesback, Keith Martin, and Melanie Decateaux.
4-H Agents: Kayla Haydel and Jamie Templet.
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 Agricultural Center - Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service.
The National Rifle Association Foundation provides funding for the Ascension Parish 4-H Shooting Sports Program. For additional information on the Parish 4-H program, contact the Cooperative Extension Service at 621-5799.