Jacob VanNess of Eagle Rock is another member of the Botetourt community who found success competing in 4-H events during his childhood up until graduating from James River High School. He currently attends Dabney Lancaster Community College in Clifton Forge.
VanNess became involved with 4-H at the age of 10. Former Fincastle Herald Executive Editor Ed McCoy, an active 4-H instructor, worked with VanNess when he first began shooting guns.
The 4-H Shooting Education program uses shooting as a vehicle to teach youth ages 9 to 19 life skills such as responsibility, self-discipline, and teamwork. The following disciplines are used to teach these life skills – archery, muzzleloading, pistol, rifle, and shotgun. Through these disciplines, youth also learn firearm safety and marksmanship.
VanNess started out shooting air pistols and silhouettes. He placed first in the Jr. Supporter Division in the latter when he competed in 4-H events on a state level.
VanNess also competed as a member of Virginia’s 4-H Shotgun National Team. In 2019 and 2021, he placed 2nd and 3rd in respective state skeet shooting competitions and a 1st place victory in Sporting Clays (which plays like “golf” in terms of shooting). He also competed in team events at the 4-H National Championships in Nebraska in 2019 and 2021. 4-H canceled shooting events in 2020 due to COVID restrictions.
“I met some of my best friends in my life through 4-H,” VanNess stated in a recent interview. “I was a president and treasurer before I started shooting shotguns. I grew up in the country. Shooting’s been around me all my life.”
VanNess mentioned he’s very competitive. Shooting competitions brought out his competitive nature where he applied it to his success.
“4-H taught me a lot of things,” VanNess said. “All of the things I learned (leadership, dealing with failure, a sense of community) will help me succeed in life and will always be a part of my future successes.
“(4-H) teaches you a lot about life. If you stick with it, it’s a lot of fun. There’s nothing that beats it. 4-H showed me one of my truest passions in life. If I spoke to a group of kids, I would tell them to give it a shot, stick with it, and see where it goes from there.”
He continues to apply what he learned during his time with 4-H moving forward and wants to see an increase in shooting education interest in Botetourt County. He hopes to help 4-H find more ways to drive interest moving forward.
“Jacob has had an incredible 4-H career, especially within our shooting sports club,” 4-H Extension Agent Tyler Painter stated. “He worked hard to master his craft, and his accomplishments on the local, state and national levels are beyond impressive.
“Jacob is the type of 4-H member that you hope will return as a volunteer when they grow older and influence younger members as he has been. I am confident that Jacob will succeed in all of his future endeavors, given his attention to detail and his never-quit attitude.”
For more information about 4-H’s shooting education, visit https://ext.vt.edu/4h-youth/nree/shooting.html.