Marshall County was changed forever on January 23, 2018.  The community as a whole has felt an overwhelming sense of loss and stolen innocence. Even so, they continue to work towards healing.  At the high school that fateful day, some of the students directly witnessed the shooting, some heard the shots, most ran for their lives, two are no longer with us and 15 are still physically healing from damage caused by bullets from another students gun.   One of those 15 is a Marshall County 4-Her, who is one of our teen leaders in the 4-H Sharp Shooters.

A shooting sports program might be the last type of activity some would think of as a place of healing following the events of January 23.  For this 4-Her, it is a program that has helped grow him into a teen leader and positive role model.  A personal goal for this 4-Her was to become a Certified Teen Coach in Rifle.  In March of 2018, he achieved his goal!   Throughout the summer, the 4-Her stepped up and filled the gaps when other adult coaches were not available to work with younger club members.  The main focus was always gun safety, but he was able to help others meet personal goals to better their scores and to show them what it means to be part of a team.

The essence of true leadership was demonstrated by this 4-Her during the 2018 Kentucky 4-H State Shooting Sports Competition.  There was a threat of rain all day that Saturday in September.  The 4-Her spent his day encouraging and making sure the other 4-Her’s had everything they needed before they went to the line to compete.  When all the others were finished, the teen was one of the last to shoot on the .22 rifle line.  During his first two rounds of competition he was on his way to shooting one of his best scores ever.  Then when it was time to shoot the final round, the rains started pouring down to the point that it was impossible to see the targets across the field.  When the Marshall County Rifle Coach (who is also the father of this 4-Her) “fussed” at him for delaying getting to the firing line, the 4-Her stated, “Dad, I am a coach!  It’s my job to make sure the other kids have everything they need to do the best they can do.  That’s what you and the other coaches have taught me!”

Embracing the spirit of a program like this at a time when the national climate is not as supportive as it could be and having many personal reasons to just walk away…this 4-Her found a way to heal, help others and grow into a True Leader!