The Texas 4-H Shooting Sports program stands by the tagline, “it’s not about the gun, it’s about the kids.” One youth has embodied that and used it to propel his life trajectory. What started as a hobby passed on from his father turned into a lifelong career for one Burnet County 4-H member.
The 4-H Journey
Elijah Butler joined the Texas 4-H program in 4th grade after finding a hobby in the sport of rifle shooting and has continued to participate for nine years, completing his final year in the program this summer.
“I had my first practice in fourth grade and thought it was the coolest thing ever. I thought, “I want to do this. This is going to be my sport.”” Butler said. “That’s when my whole journey in 4-H started and it grew into this really important part of my life that I was not suspecting as a young fourth grader, but I’m grateful for it.”
Butler has competed in the Burnet County 4-H Rifle team throughout his entire 4-H journey, ultimately providing a plethora of nationwide opportunities. In 2021, Butler competed at the Junior Olympics for the first time. He was selected to compete at the 4-H National Championships in the summer of 2023 for the third time but had to defer due to his collegiate plans.
“I will be attending the Airforce Academy beginning this summer and will be majoring in Aeronautical Engineering,” Butler said.
Airforce Academy
Butler credits his 4-H experiences to shooting and holding various leadership positions at the club and county level, as well as participating in statewide events like Texas 4-H Congress and the Shooting Sports Ambassador program for teaching him the skills necessary to partake in such an esteemed postgraduate opportunity.
“I think the biggest thing 4-H has taught me is leadership, teamwork, and communication skills. The experiences I’ve had in this program are priceless,” Butler said. “The knowledge and skills I’ve acquired in 4-H are things I’m going to be able to take to the Academy and apply as an officer in the Airforce after I commission.”
After graduating from the Academy, Butler hopes to obtain a spot for pilot training and become a pilot for the Air Force. When Butler began looking at colleges, he immediately fell in love with the Air Force Academy. While many dream of attending the Academy, few are offered the opportunity.
“I told my mom, “I think I can do this, it’s tough, but I think that with my 4-H background, scouting, and athletics, the school is a perfect fit for me,”” Butler said. “It became my number one and I consider myself blessed to receive an appointment.”
Butler feels that the leadership, communication, and time management skills he gained from his upbringing are what helped propel him into the opportunity.
“Managing 4-H, Boy Scouts, athletics, and private school for the past seven years is not easy,” Butler said. “I definitely had a lot on my plate, but I learned to manage it all efficiently, to accomplish what needed to get done, and to fulfill my leadership obligations in scouting and 4-H.”
Butler was unaware of the emphasis the Academy placed on leadership and the huge factor it played in the application process. His leadership roles in 4-H weren’t for that purpose or to pad his resume. Butler said that he stepped into leadership because he wanted to help.
“Everything I’ve done in 4-H was all authentic. I enjoyed the friends I’ve made and just being part of it – going to A&M for Texas 4-H Roundup, competing, and dancing on the sidewalk on the streets of Bryan with friends,” Butler said. “Everything I did in this program was not just to say I did it, but because I wanted to do it and enjoy all that 4-H had to offer.”
Gratitude for volunteers
Butler emphasized that his success and achievement would not have been possible without the support of 4-H volunteers. Aside from his thanks to them, he wants to encourage 4-H volunteers to “keep doing what they’re doing.”
“The investments they’re placing on the next generation, is priceless, absolutely priceless. I would not be the person I am today without this program, and I can guarantee you that there are thousands of other kids that will say the same thing,” Butler said. “The volunteers are the gears in this complex machine, and we definitely need them. I’ll forever be grateful for everything this program has given me and the volunteers that chose to pass on their knowledge and passion to me.”
The single most important impact on his 4-H career, and therefore life trajectory, has been his rifle coach, Guy Taylor.
“The only reason that I’m attending the Academy and was recruited as a D1 rifle athlete is because of my coach and the program that he has built. He’s so dedicated and every one of my teammates and I are so blessed to be part of this Burnet County 4-H Rifle Team,” Butler said. “I love being part of a healthy team and competing in rifle matches, and it’s all because of Coach. I would not be where I am without him, so I definitely want to give my heartfelt thanks to Coach Guy Taylor.”
Butler has enjoyed his time in the program so much that after spending his years of service in the Airforce, he hopes to start his own 4-H Rifle Club one day. Until then, he hopes to impact 4-H’ers through his words of wisdom.
“One word of advice I’d give is stay in it, just stay in it. Ride 4-H all the way through, from start to finish,” Butler said. “There are hundreds of opportunities in 4-H, and I encourage everyone in 4-H to make the best of it.”
Thank you for your future service, Elijah Butler. The Texas 4-H Youth Development Program is proud to be producing young leaders like yourself.
To learn more about the life changing opportunities in the Texas 4-H program, or the Texas 4-H shooting sports program, visit texas4-h.tamu.edu.
By: Callie Cline
Photos from: Elijah Butler