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Members of the Decatur County 4-H Archery team participated in the Georgia 4-H State Indoor Archery Match at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry on January 20, 2024. Over 800 archers from across Georgia participated in the 2-day event.

Decatur County 4-H Cloverleaf team members (4th-6th grades) competing were Bryan Doss, Bentley Simpson, Colt Johnston, Michael McClanahan, Alex Villegas, Ollie Posey, Ryder Braswell, and Hunter Blanton,. Gavin Hughes, Drake Walls, Gunnar McNair and Jack Kennedy competed as Junior members (7th-8th grade) and Connor Kennedy, Aydon Simpson and Autumn Wiggins competed on the Senior level (9th-12th grade). Decatur County 4-H was well represented by these young people.

Team members have been practicing weekly since November 2023 in preparation for the state contest. This opportunity would not be possible without the dedication and hard-work of volunteer coaches. The 2023-24 coaches include head coach Charles Wiggins, Sam Hughes, Danny Moore and Ray Dodson. Archery team members Skye Clements, Quinn Moore and Jacey Murray were unable to attend the event.

Additionally, team members Doss, Posey, Braswell, Johnston, Mcnair, and Wiggins participated in the Early County Indoor Archery Tournament on January 6, 2024. Autumn Wiggins earned 3^rd place Senior.

The 4-H Archery Program is a part of the Georgia 4-H Shooting Awareness, Fun and Education Program (S.A.F.E.). Project S.A.F.E. is an active program, attractive to youth and adult audiences. The program is curriculum based and designed to assist young people in personal development, establish a personal environmental ethic and explore life-long vocational and avocational activities. The program uses experiential learning and positive interactions with youth and adult role models to help young people develop self-concept, self-assurance and a positive self-image. Teamwork, cooperation, self-responsibility and character are among the many life skills gained by participating in the S.A.F.E program which is sponsored by the Georgia 4-H Foundation.

4-H is the youth program of the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. For more information about Decatur County 4-H, please contact the Decatur County Extension Office at 229-248-3033.