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 18, 2025. Over 700 archers from across Georgia participated in the 2-day event.
Georgia 4-H State Indoor Archery Match participants from Decatur County 4-H
Front Row L-R: Alex Villegas, Sutton Carlisle, Isabella Alvarez, Peter Alvarez, Jax Dollar, Bentley Simpson
Back row L-R: Autumn Wiggins, Zy’rion Williams, Gunnar Mcnair, Aydon Simpson, Hunter Blanton, Coach Danny Moore, Michael McClanahan, Coach Ray Dodson
Far back: Coach Charles Wiggins
L-R: Gavin Hughes, Coach Sam Hughes, Luke Robertson
Decatur County 4-H Cloverleaf team members (4th-6th grades) competing were Bentley Simpson, Michael McClanahan, Alex Villegas, Jax Dollar, Sutton Carlisle, Isabella Alvarez, Peter Alvarez, Zy’rion Williams and Hunter Blanton. Gunnar McNair competed as a Junior member (7th-8th grade) and Gavin Hughes, Luke Robertson, Aydon Simpson and Autumn Wiggins competed on the Senior level (9th-12th grade). Decatur County 4-H was well represented by these archers.
Team members have been practicing weekly since November 2024 in preparation for the state contest. This opportunity would not be possible without the dedication and hard-work of volunteer coaches. The 2024-25 coaches include head coach Charles Wiggins, Sam Hughes, Danny Moore and Ray Dodson. Archery team members Luke Clements and Olivia Head were unable to attend the event.
Additionally, team members Sutton Carlisle, Isabella Alvarez, Bentley Simpson, Michael McClanahan, Luke Clements, Alex Villegas, Peter Alvarez, Gunnar Mcnair, Gavin Hughes, Aydon Simpson and Autumn Wiggins participated in the Early County Indoor Archery Tournament on January 11, 2025. Six southwest counties traveled to Blakely to take part in this opportunity.
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.
