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. Each ambassador received a $2,500 scholarship.
The scholarships were presented to Laffey and Bourgoyne at the National 4-H 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.
“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,” Zinnel said. “As a former National 4-H 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 annual Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarship program was established to honor the memory of the legendary exhibition shooter Tom Knapp. Prior to his passing in April of 2013, Knapp left an indelible mark on the shooting sports community. In 2016, Federal Ammunition and Champion Traps and Targets, in collaboration with the National 4-H Shooting Sports Committee, worked together to continue this highly regarded scholarship program.
Knapp, well known as a passionate advocate for nurturing the next generation, was a respected champion and Federal Ammunition ambassador. With the support of his wife, Colleen, Champion extended Knapp’s licensed products program to fund an endowed scholarship that annually awards $2,500 to two National 4-H Ambassadors.
In addition to the scholarships, Federal continues as the longest-tenured sponsor for the 4-H Shooting Sports Program and welcomed more than 700 athletes from more than 40 states to the event. The organization introduces hundreds of thousands of new shooting sports enthusiasts to multiple shooting disciplines each year through safe and controlled programs led by certified instructors nationally.
Learn more about Federal Ammunition at federalpremium.com and 4-H shooting sports at 4-hshootingsports.org.
