Federal Ammunition recently awarded the 2024 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships to two 4-H shooting sports teen ambassadors: Jessica Laffey from Colorado and Kaeli-Gracyn Bourgoyne from Louisiana. The scholarships were presented to the recipients at the National 4H Shooting Sports Invitational held in Grand Island, Nebraska, June 24-28. Jon Zinnel, director of community relations for Federal Ammunition, announced the winners during the opening ceremonies.
In addition to the scholarships, Federal continues as the longest-tenured sponsor for the 4H Shooting Sports Program and welcomed over 700 athletes from over 40 states to the event. The organization introduces hundreds of thousands of new shooting sports enthusiasts to a wide array of shooting disciplines each year through safe and controlled programs led by certified instructors nationally.
“Both Jessica and Kaeli-Gracyn demonstrated an impressive understanding of how wildlife is managed, plus how hunting and shooting sports programs play a vital role in operating and funding the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation in our country,” said Jon Zinnel. “As a former National 4H Shooting Sports Ambassador, reviewing these applications is a highlight of my year. All these Ambassadors are tremendous citizens, which made the decision challenging. These young people had great applications and deserved the scholarship awards.”
The Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarship program, an annual initiative, was established to honor the memory of the legendary exhibition shooter Tom Knapp. Before his passing in April 2013, Knapp left an indelible mark on the shooting sports community. In 2016, Federal Ammunition and Champion Traps & Targets, in collaboration with the National 4-H Shooting Sports Committee, took up the mantle to continue this esteemed scholarship program.
Knapp, a passionate advocate for nurturing the next generation, was a respected Champion and Federal Ammunition ambassador. With the support of Knapp’s wife, Colleen, Champion extended Tom’s licensed products program to fund an endowed scholarship that annually awards $2,500 to two National 4-H Ambassadors.
For more on Federal and Champion’s scholarship programs, visit federalpremium.com or championtarget.com.
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