The national ambassadors gather at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park during the 2015 National 4 H Shooting Sports Teen Leadership Institute in California. (Photo by Mark Tassin, LSU AgCenter)

Louisiana 4-H’er Devin Rowland climbs during a high ropes exercise in the E.D.G.E. Challenge Course during the 2015 National 4-H Shooting Sports Teen Leadership Institute in California. (Photo by Mark Tassin, LSU AgCenter)

Matthew Seguin collaborates with fellow team members on developing an ambassador plan during the 2015 National 4-H Shooting Sports Teen Leadership Institute in Fresno, California. (Photo by Mark Tassin, LSU AgCenter)

News Release Distributed 08/14/15

BATON ROUGE, La. – Two Louisiana 4-H’ers were among 21 4-H’ers from 13 states who spent a week at California State University, Fresno, for the 2015 National 4-H Shooting Sports Teen Leadership Institute Aug 4-8.

The 2015 representatives from Louisiana were Matthew Seguin, of Livingston Parish, and Devin Rowland, of Lincoln Parish.

Mark Tassin, LSU AgCenter program leader for youth development, said the goal of the program is to further develop the participants’ leadership skills and promote 4-H and 4-H shooting sports.

The leadership institute consists of development exercises that combine leadership, team building, citizenship, communication and public relations.

“Upon completing the program, we want participants to return to their home state and bring back leadership skills to further develop their teen ambassador group,” Tassin said.

“Among all of my 4-H and FFA events, this has been the best leadership trip that I have ever been on,” Seguin said.

“I’m proud to be a part of Louisiana 4-H,” he said. “It was a great experience to be able to share with other state representatives how well-rounded our 4-H program is and our accomplishments.”

A highlight of the event was the E.D.G.E. Challenge Course and day trip to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park. E.D.G.E. is a four-hour adventure ropes course that focuses on team building and communication development.

“The E.D.G.E. course was a great way to bring our national team together and really get to know each other,” Rowland said.

“The leadership institute allowed me to meet people from a variety of backgrounds,” he said. “It expanded my horizons and really improved my public speaking skills.”

The National 4-H Shooting Sports Youth Leadership Institute is an annual event hosted by the members of the National 4-H Shooting Sports Committee, which includes 4-H staff from around the country. The program is hosted on a different college campus each year so the teen ambassadors can experience college life.

“For some of these students it’s their first time on an airplane or out of the state, and we want to provide them with this opportunity,” said Tassin, who is a member of the committee.

Brandy Orlando