Submitted by Sara Sercer

Congratulations to Madison Terry of Rochelle for being selected as one of three 4-H’ers chosen from Georgia to attend the National 4-H Shooting Sports Ambassador Program. Madison will be joined by 34 other youth from across the USA chosen to participate in the program. The program will be held in Bozeman, Montana at Montana State University the last week of July.

Madison is the 15 year old daughter of Tracy and Dori Terry and she has two younger siblings who are already involved in shooting spots as well.  Judson and Gracelyn are members of the Wilcox County Project S.A.F.E. Shooting Sports BB Team. Madison began in BB in the 5^th grade and progressed on to shotgun and .22 Rimfire team shooting programs. Madison will be entering the 10^th grade in August and she will continue to be an active member of the .22 Rimfire Team and the Shotgun Team.

GA 4-H’s primary goal is positive youth development. We accomplish this through numerous learning opportunities led by University of Georgia Cooperative Extension professionals or trained volunteers. GA 4-H Project S.A.F.E. is an extremely popular 4-H program that teaches valuable life skills through participation in team target sports. Safety is our highest priority. Volunteers who work with youth in Project S.A.F.E. must become certified coaches. Certification involves passing background screening and attending a weekend training. The training covers the mission of GA 4-H, youth development, safety, risk management, specialized training in the sport and overall program management. Coaches must continue to pass risk management training each year. Project S.A.F.E. provides youth a place where they can develop a sense of belonging, learn teamwork in a safe environment and increase concentration skills. S.A.F.E. is an acronym for “Shooting Awareness  for Fun and Education”.

The National 4-H Shooting Sports Ambassador Program is designed to promote 4-H and 4-H Shooting Sports. Youth selected to serve as Ambassadors will receive training that will allow them to return to their homes and advocate for the program at the county, regional, and state level. Some Ambassadors may be asked to support national events as well. Ambassadors provide public relations support at special events such as donor/sponsor functions and also serve as spokespersons for the 4-H Shooting Sports Program, helping to make 4-H and the 4-H Shooting Sports Programs more visible.  The Ambassadors furtherdevelop their skills in leadership, public presentation, citizenship, community service, public relations and team building.

The 4-H Shooting Sports Ambassador program will provide a venue for 4-H Teens to:

1. Represent 4-H and specifically 4-H Shooting Sports for public relations purposes at special events; at donor/sponsor functions and with thegeneral public, 4-H groups, community service organizations, schools and media contacts.
2. Serve asspokespersons for the 4-H Shooting Sports program at their respective levels of participation – national, regional, state, county – helpingto make 4-H Shooting Sports programs more visible.
3. Furtherdevelop their skills in leadership, public presentation, citizenship, community service, public relations and team building.
4. Assistin maintaining relations with 4-H Faculty and Extension Administrators as well as past, present and future program donors and supporters.
5. Continue and expand theirinvolvement in 4-H Shooting Sports beyond the shooting skills and competitive events.
6. Stayactively connected with the 4-H Shooting Sports program as they enter their collegiate years and further into adulthood.

By being selected as a National 4-H Shooting Sports Ambassador, you will be representing over 400,000 4-H youth.

Congratulations again to Madison Terry, we know you will represent Georgia and Wilcox County well!