Eric Hall Memorial Fund/ 4-H Schlorship

Amanda K. Carter

akcarter@uga.edu

A $500 scholarship has been awarded to a Thomas County 4-H S.A.F.E. (Shooting, Awareness, Fun, and Education) member.

Gordon MacQuirter, received the Eric Hall Memorial Fund/4-H scholarship. MacQuiter, is a recent Thomas County Central High School graduate and a Thomas County 4-H S.A.F.E. member. He is the son of Danny and Kathy MacQuirter.

“4-H and shooting sports activities has helped me to be able to focus on other people’s achievements, and not just on my own. It has given me better sportsmanship so that I can cheer on my fellow shooters and one day I would like to either coach or instruct younger people shooting either in 4-H or in private lessons or hopefully in both. I would like to do that as my second job or after I retire” MacQuiter said.

MacQuirter is enrolled to attend Valdosta State University in the fall and has aspirations of becoming a dentist.

Thomas County 4-H would like to extend a sincere “Thank You” to The Eric Hall Memorial Fund. Without your dedication to the youth of Thomasville/Thomas County this scholarship would not have been possible.

For more information about 4-H, how to get involved, or to volunteer contact The University of Georgia/Thomas County Cooperative Extension office at 229-225-4130.

Eric Hall Memorial Shoot

The Eric Hall Memorial Foundation is sponsoring a Sporting Clays tournament on Saturday, October 3, 2009. Please see the attached donation registration form for more information. The Eric Hall Foundation supports The Thomas County S.A.F.E. Team. Last year they generously donated a $500.00 college scholarship to a Senior 4-H S.A.F.E. participate and purchased a new thrower for The Thomas County 4-H S.A.F.E. team.

In addition to the tournament The Eric Hall Memorial Foundation is holding a drawing/raffle on a chance to win a Beretta 391 (12 gauge) shotgun. Tickets are $5.00 each or 5 for $20.00. The Thomas County S.A.F.E. team is participating by assisting in selling tickets and $1.00 for every ticket sold will directly benefit The Thomas County S.A.F.E. team.

Will you please consider entering the tournament or purchasing one or more tickets? Due to the rising cost of ammo, insurance and targets it is imperative that The 4-H S.A.F.E. team have successful fund-raisers. The young people would greatly appreciate your support and you could possibly win a new gun!!

Tickets maybe purchased at The University of Georgia/Thomas County Extension Office which is located at 227 West Jefferson Street Thomasville, GA (Behind Ponder's Office Supply and beside the Public Library) or by contacting a 4-H S.A.F.E. member, or you may contact The Eric Hall Memorial Foundation.

Thanks in advance.

Thomas County 4-H S.A.F.E. Team Blasts to 2nd State Championship!

The Thomas County 4-H S.A.F.E. (Shooting Awareness, Fun and Education) team members recently traveled to the beautiful Tom Lowe shooting range in Atlanta, Georgia to compete in the State 4-H Trap and Skeet competition.
4-H’ers statewide competed for individual and team awards at the annual event.

Five Thomas County junior division shooters and 49 other shooters from around the state displayed their shooting skills by competing on a total of 150 targets. By the end of any exciting day of competition, Thomas County Jr. S.A.F.E. team “smoked” the second place team from Fayette County by 35 targets and walked away with its second consecutive State Championship title. Members of the four man junior team included Brice Evans, Conner Gibbs, Jared Gibbs, and Trey Lanier.

Nine Thomas County senior division team members and 101 other senior division shooters competed on a total of 200 targets. Senior team members representing Thomas County included Brandon Barnes, Gordon MacQuirter, Nick Murphy, Ryan Setliff, Josh Smith, Brittany Vinson, Chelsea Vinson, Zach Walters, and Jon Wynn.

In the Senior division, Gordon MacQuirter (TCCHS) placed 7th in Trap and 4th in Skeet to give him a second place win overall in the State.

Junior shooter Trey Lanier (Brookwood) placed 1st in both Trap and Skeet which brought him to winning the coveted Overall State Title. Other junior awards included the following: Conner Gibbs (TCMS) – 3rd place Trap, 8th place Skeet, 3rd place Overall; Chandler Barnes (Brookwood) – 5th place Trap, 5th place Overall; Brice Evans (TCMS) – 4th place Skeet, 6th place Overall.

During the State competition awards ceremony, honors for the 4-H Trap and Skeet Postal League were also presented. Thomas County 4-Hers recognized were as follows: Brice Evans – Junior Trap & Junior Skeet; Jared Gibbs - Junior Skeet; and Gordon MacQuirter – Senior Skeet.

If anyone in grades 7-12 is interested in being a part of next year’s 4-H S.A.F.E. program, please contact Cindy Wynn or Amanda Carter at the Thomas County 4-H office (225-4130).

Thomas County 4H Shooters Aim High

Thomas County 4H Shooters Aim High
(WCTV6 Interview. "Click the above link to view")

One of the best 4H Shooting programs in the state resides in Thomas County, where year in and year out, the ultimate goal is within shooting distance.
"We're two time National Champions," Don Clark says, "We've won State several times. We've won high individuals, placed as individuals and as teams. Thomas County SAFE Program has had a lot of success. We're real proud of what our young people have done."

7th through 12th grade, boy and girl, it's a program that anyone can succeed at, if they put in the work. Jon Wynn says, "You've got to have concentration skills, you've got to be patient. You've got to handle pressure."

Chelsea Vinson adds, "You just have to come out here and practice. You can be just as good as the guys. It took a while for me to get up with them but once you get up with them it's fun."
And, according to Clark, safe as well.

Clark says, "We've never had an accident in Georgia in any of our county programs across the state. We teach these young people how to handle guns safely and we're teaching them a sport they can carry throughout their life."

That's a goal they all are shooting for.

4-H'ers attend Camp Rock Eagle

Amanda K. Carter
akcarter@uga.edu

Twenty-six Thomas Co. Cloverleaf (4th-6th grade) 4-H'ers attended Rock Eagle 4- H Center for a memorable week of summer camp on June 29 through July 3, 2009. R.J. Byrne (Thomas County Ag Agent), Cindy M. Wynn (Thomas County 4-H Agent) and Amanda Carter (Thomas County 4-H CEPAIV) chaperoned the 4-H’ers.

The theme for the week of summer camp was Indian lore. Over 900 4-H'ers from counties all over the state were divided into three tribes Shawnee, Cherokee and Muskogee.

Thomas Co. 4-H'ers was a part of the Muscogee tribe. The Muskogee tribe is the land of the flaming arrows led by tribal mico’s and camp counselors. Campers had the opportunity to compete against other tribes in games, tribal meetings, cabin and area clean-up, class attendance, behavior, sportsmanship, cheers and a pageant throughout the week for an opportunity to win the tribal shield.

In addition, 4-Hers enjoyed many educational activities such as Herpetology, Natural History Exploration; Health’s Our Pledge, Wildlife, Forestry, Lake Ecology, and Entomology, just to name a few. Other activities included swimming, canoeing, sailing, archery, putt-putt, zip line, and a variety show put on by the camp counselors.

In keeping with tradition the story of the Rock Eagle Mound and how Rock Eagle got its legendary name was told at a pageant performed by campfire on Thursday night at the Pageant Grounds.

Thomas Co. 4-H'ers and adults enjoyed their exciting week at camp and they look forward to next year's summer camp adventure.

The Georgia 4-H summer camping program is ranked among the top in the nation. If you are interested in learning more about the 4-H camping programs or other 4-H opportunities and events please call The University of Georgia/Thomas County Extension Office at 229-225-4130.