Youth took center stage in Grand Island, Nebraska, as Federal Ammunition announced its 2025 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarship winners—and the future of American shooting sports couldn’t look brighter.
On June 23, 2025, the spotlight fell on two remarkable teens: Lucy Evans of Georgia and John Bruner of Pennsylvania. Honored during the opening ceremony of the National 4-H Shooting Sports Invitational, the duo received $2,500 each from Federal Ammunition, a testament to their passion for shooting sports and community service.
The Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarship was born from legacy and a whole lot of heart. Created to honor the late exhibition shooting legend Tom Knapp, the annual award recognizes young leaders who mirror the passion and purpose Knapp brought to the sport. Before his passing in April 2013, Knapp captivated audiences with his jaw-dropping marksmanship and tireless advocacy for youth involvement in shooting sports.
In 2016, Federal Ammunition and Champion Traps & Targets teamed up with the National 4-H Shooting Sports Committee to carry that legacy forward. With the blessing and support of Knapp’s wife, Colleen, Champion expanded his line of licensed products to help fund the initiative. Today, the endowed scholarship awards $2,500 each to two National 4-H Ambassadors—not just to honor Tom’s memory, but to help fuel the dreams of the next generation he so deeply believed in.
“Both Lucy and John had an impressive resume of community service and giving back to their communities and the shooting sports community,” Federal Ammunition’s Director of Community Relations Jon Zinnel said. “I started in the shooting sports industry when I, too, served as a National 4-H Shooting Sports Ambassador. All the National Ambassadors are tremendous citizens, which is a testament to the great programs the organization offers to youth across the country.”
The scholarship announcement was part of a larger celebration as more than 700 youth athletes from nearly 40 states gathered for the 25th anniversary of the National 4-H Shooting Sports Invitational, a hallmark of excellence in youth shooting sports. The National 4-H Shooting Sports Program reaches hundreds of thousands of young people nationwide, promoting firearm safety and youth development through structured programs across all shooting disciplines. As the longest-standing sponsor, Federal once again affirmed its commitment to growing the shooting sports through mentorship and opportunity.
For more on Federal’s commitment to youth shooting sports and new product news, visit federalpremium.com.
