CHAMPAIGN, IL – Illinois 4-H has recently certified eight staff members as Level I 4-H Shooting Sports Coordinators. These individuals completed in a three-session professional development series, paving the way for future opportunities in 4-H Shooting Sports programming.
The newly certified coordinators include Ryan Littlejohn (Wayne County), Kelly Brandt (Monroe County), Emily Bruch (Livingston County), Eric Eickmeier (Piatt County), Lynda Sharp-Lower (Tazewell County), Joli Pierson (Mason County), Krista Gray (Fulton County), and Rachel Stenger (Moultrie-Douglas County).
“The dedication of these staff members to their professional growth directly supports the mission of Illinois 4-H to provide high-quality youth programming,” said Curt Sinclair, University of Illinois Extension 4-H youth development educator. “This initiative proved successful, and we look forward to offering the certification program to additional staff during the fall semester of 2025.”
Illinois 4-H invites volunteers to join the next Level I certification sessions, which will include Shotgun, Rifle, Pistol, Archery, and Coordinator disciplines. The upcoming dates and locations are:
- March 15 – Kane County
- May 10 – Piatt County
- July 19 – Franklin County
Illinois 4-H is also looking for 3–4 top-performing, Level I-certified 4-H Shooting Sports volunteers to join the State Instructor Team at Level II. This opportunity includes funding to attend the May 5–8, 2025 training in Little Rock, Arkansas. Disciplines include Shotgun, Rifle, Pistol, Archery, and Coordinator. County staff recommendations are required for consideration.
For more information on the 4-H Shooting Sports program and upcoming certification opportunities, contact your local University of Illinois Extension office.
About Illinois 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension and administered through the College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences. 4-H grows true leaders, youth who are empowered for life today and prepared for a career tomorrow. The hands-on approach in 4-H gives young people guidance, tools, and encouragement, and then puts them in the driver’s seat to make great things happen. Independent research confirms the unparalleled impact of the 4-H experience, demonstrating that young people are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.
Source: Curt Sinclair, 4-H Youth Development Specialist, sinclair@illinois.edu
Writer: Carissa Nelson, Media Communications Manager, carissa7@illinois.edu
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.