The Gordon County 4-H Shotgun team will compete in the State Target Challenge Weekend in Modified Trap set for Friday and Saturday at Rock Eagle.

The Gordon County 4-H’ers qualified for the state competition after competing last month in the Northwest Geor-gia District Qualifying Match in Chattooga County.

Members of the team are: Seniors: Bryce Dunn, Ty Dutton, Emily Frazier, Jamon Hales, Bret Mears, Benjamin Northrup, Brandon Rapp, Andrew Timms. Juniors: Garrett Bohannon, Tanner Dutton, Nathan Godwin, Chase Jack-son, Amanda Morris, Brittany Norrell, Brian Rapp, Chris Richards, Brandon Ross, Madison Smith, Nate Thornton. Coach: Roy Mears.

Placing in the top 10 for their divisions were Bryce Dunn, Emily Frazier, Bret Mears (Seniors) and Chase Jack-son, Brandon Ross, Tanner Dutton, Brian Rapp, Nate Thornton, Garrett Bohannon (Juniors).

Gordon County 4-H offers two shooting sports disciplines, BB (5 meter) and Shotgun (modified trap). The 4-H members participate in Project S.A.F.E. (Shooting Awareness, Fun and Education), an active program designed to involve youth in a life skills program that teaches safe and responsible use of firearms including sound decision-making, self-discipline and concentration.

Whether it is school or work, young people report that shooting sports programs help them build confidence and provide them with the skills needed to concentrate and focus on the task at hand. The life skills developed in shoot-ing sports carry over to other areas of life.

Project S.A.F.E. focuses on both project skills that are related subject matter (shooting and safety) and on the de-velopment of knowledge that can be used throughout life.

S.A.F.E. is noted for the values and life skills it instills in young people as they grow into responsible young adults.