A Josephine County teenager is preparing to represent Southern Oregon on the national stage after earning a coveted position in one of the country’s premier youth archery competitions, marking a significant achievement for local 4-H athletics as the organization welcomes a new generation of participants and volunteers.
Levi Smith, a longtime member of the Josephine County 4-H program, has qualified to compete in compound bow archery at the 2027 national 4-H competition in Grand Island, Nebraska. His qualification places him among an accomplished group of young competitors who will represent their communities and states during the national event next summer.
More than 1,000 4-H members from across the United States are expected to gather in Grand Island, bringing together young athletes who have developed their abilities through years of training, competition and participation in youth development programs.
For Josephine County, Smith’s qualification carries particular significance. During the past 25 years, only two other local 4-H members, Drason Gibson and Seth Sheely, have earned the opportunity to compete at this level. Smith now joins that select group, adding another chapter to the county’s history of youth achievement in competitive shooting sports.
Currently a junior at Oregon Charter Academy, an online public charter school, Smith balances his academic responsibilities with an extensive schedule of athletics and outdoor activities. Alongside his dedication to compound bow archery, he participates in competitive rifle shooting, wrestles for the Illinois Valley High School wrestling team and plays high school baseball.
His interests extend well beyond organized competition. Fishing, hunting and camping are among his favorite activities, reflecting a longstanding connection to the outdoor traditions that remain an important part of life throughout Southern Oregon.
Competitive compound archery demands considerable technical ability, consistency and concentration. Participants must develop precise shooting mechanics, maintain control under competitive pressure and demonstrate accuracy across repeated rounds. Smith’s advancement to national competition represents years of participation in a discipline that combines physical coordination with patience, preparation and individual responsibility.
Although his qualification has already been secured, preparations for the national event are only beginning.
Smith and his family are scheduled to travel to Nebraska during the summer of 2027, an undertaking that will involve transportation, accommodations and other expenses associated with participating in a national championship. Over the coming months, Smith will work alongside Josephine County 4-H staff members and community volunteers to raise funds to help cover those costs.
Residents, businesses and community organizations interested in supporting his participation can contact the Josephine County 4-H office at 541-241-3050 for information about contributing to the fundraising effort.
Smith’s accomplishment also arrives as the Josephine County 4-H program opens enrollment to young people interested in developing new skills, exploring personal interests and participating in educational activities outside the traditional classroom.
Administered through the Oregon State University Extension Service, 4-H serves young people between the ages of 5 and 19 through educational experiences emphasizing practical learning, leadership, personal development and community involvement.
The program provides opportunities for participants to pursue interests ranging from agriculture and animal science to outdoor recreation, shooting sports and other hands-on educational activities. Its approach emphasizes learning through direct participation, allowing young people to build confidence and develop practical abilities while working with adult mentors and fellow members.
Nationally, 4-H operates with support from land-grant universities and the U.S. Department of Agriculture and is recognized as the country’s largest out-of-school youth development organization. Its programs reach millions of young people through local clubs, educational activities, competitions and community projects.
In Josephine County, the program also depends on adult volunteers who contribute their time and experience to mentoring participants, organizing activities and supporting educational opportunities. Community involvement remains central to providing young people with access to programs that encourage responsibility, teamwork and individual achievement.
Enrollment is currently open for prospective youth members, and adults interested in becoming volunteers are encouraged to contact the local 4-H office to learn about available opportunities.
For families throughout Grants Pass, the Illinois Valley and surrounding Josephine County communities, the enrollment period offers an opportunity to become involved in an established youth development program while supporting the next generation of local participants.
Smith’s upcoming trip to Nebraska demonstrates the opportunities that can develop through sustained involvement in 4-H, from local training and competition to representing Oregon alongside accomplished young athletes from across the nation.
As preparations continue for the summer championship, Josephine County residents will have an opportunity to support one of their own while the local 4-H program continues recruiting young people and adult volunteers.
For additional information about 4-H membership, volunteer opportunities or assistance with Smith’s national competition expenses, residents may contact the Josephine County 4-H office at 541-241-3050.