Atchison-Holt 4-H Shooting Sports instructors, from left to right, are Sam Hannah, Jessi Sage, and Shawn Sage.

The Atchison-Holt 4-H Shooting Sports program is now officially underway and welcomes three new certified crew members.

Sam Hannah is certified through 4-H Shooting Sports as a shotgun instructor for trap, skeet and sporting clays for Atchison and Holt County. He farms with his family east of Tarkio. His wife, Afton, is a nurse at Tarkio Rehabilitation and Health Care. Their daughter, Jillian, is a freshman and son, Teahen, is a seventh grader at Tarkio High School. His love for shooting started at a young age and he found it to be relaxing as well as rewarding. Sam’s goal is to teach youth proper gun safety, help them find their own love of shooting and set their own goals as they learn and grow in shooting and shooting sports.

Jessi Sage is the new 4-H Shooting Sports Coordinator for Atchison and Holt Counties. Jessi and her husband, Shawn, are Holt County residents and have been involved in 4-H for the last three years. When her kids became interested in shooting sports, so did she and it led her to step up and become a certified coordinator. She believes it’s a great alternative for youth to excel in a sport.

Shawn Sage is certified through 4-H Shooting Sports for air rifle and 0.22 long rifle in Atchison and Holt Counties. Shawn grew up around Harrisonville, Missouri, attended UMKC where he received his M.A. and currently owns his own construction company based out of Holt County. His four kids became interested in shooting sports, leading Shawn to help start a local program.

Both the Atchison and Holt County 4-H organizations have received NRA grants providing equipment to help start this exciting program.

A meet and greet meeting will be held Thursday, June 2, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, 312 E. 7th St. in Mound City, Missouri. This is open to the public, parents and youth interested in joining. Meet the certified instructors and find out more information about this exciting program. 4-H YPAs Kelly Todd, Holt County, and Carrie Wilson, Atchison County, will be on hand to help youth and families enroll.

For more information, call Kelly Todd, YPA, at 660-446-3724 or Carrie Wilson, YPA, at 660-744-6231.