My name is Reese Harper, and I am honored to be the 2024 NRA Outstanding Achievement Youth Award winner. This award recognizes youth who demonstrate a strong commitment to shooting sports, academic excellence, and community involvement. To be eligible, applicants must be between 13 and 21 years old and meet a series of requirements, including NRA training certifications, active participation in the NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program, submission of an essay, letters of recommendation, school transcripts, and the completion of at least five elective activities.
When I began this journey, I wanted to go above and beyond. I ended up completing eight out of the 18 available elective options. Some of the electives I completed include the NRA Basic Firearm Training Course, the NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program, competing in an NRA-sanctioned sectional, regional, or state championship, and attending and volunteering at a Friends of the NRA event. Each of these experiences gave me valuable skills, connections, and a greater appreciation for the responsibilities that come with safe and responsible firearm ownership.
One of the most exciting parts of winning this award was the opportunity to attend the 2024 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, held in Atlanta, Georgia. Shortly after learning that I had won the Outstanding Achievement Award, I was also honored to be selected as a National Youth Shooting Sports Ambassador, which I gladly accepted. This ambassadorship also gave me the opportunity to represent youth in shooting sports and gave me even more reason to attend the Annual Meetings.
The NRA Annual Meetings is much more than a business meeting. It’s a fun, family-friendly event that brings together so many like-minded people to celebrate our shared values. The 2024 meeting featured 14 acres of “guns and gear,” including a massive exhibit hall filled with thousands of products ranging from firearms to outdoor gear, accessories, and technology. Major manufacturers such as Smith & Wesson, GLOCK, and Ruger were all there, showing off their best products.
In addition to the exhibits, the event also offered seminars, workshops, guest speakers, and lots of activities for kids and their families. As a young person who loves shooting sports, this was an amazing experience. It helped me and many others realize how many people are actively working to protect our Second Amendment rights and promote responsible firearm use.
Being the Outstanding Achievement Youth Award winner and a Youth Ambassador has opened up many opportunities for me to grow and network with important people who can help in the future. I’ve met mentors, made friends, and gained much knowledge and a better understanding of the important work that goes on behind the scenes.
I strongly encourage any youth involved in shooting sports to look into the NRA Youth Programs, especially the Outstanding Achievement Youth Award and the Youth Shooting Sports Ambassador program. These programs offer more than just awards, they allow you to grow, learn, and experience the larger shooting sports community.
Being involved with organizations like the NRA helps youth, like myself, understand the value of leadership. It’s a powerful reminder that our youth have a role to play in defending our freedoms and promoting responsible gun ownership.
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