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Mississippi 4-H holds first state slingshot competition

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, October 14th 2025 at 10:18 GMT by Daily Journal
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Mississippi 4‑H recently made history by hosting the state’s first slingshot competition, an event that brought together young inventors from across the state to showcase creativity, engineering skill, and precision. The one‑day contest, held on Saturday at the New Albany Community Center, drew more than 120 participants and a packed crowd of families, teachers, and local officials.

A New Frontier for 4‑H

Slingshot competitions are a staple of the National 4‑H competition circuit, but Mississippi had never hosted a state‑level event. “We’ve been waiting for a chance to give our kids a platform to demonstrate what they’ve been learning in the classroom and at home,” said Angela Johnson, state director of Mississippi 4‑H. “It’s exciting to see the enthusiasm and ingenuity of the participants.” The state event was organized in partnership with the Mississippi Department of Agriculture, the local Chamber of Commerce, and several regional sponsors, including a well‑known hardware store and a county fairgrounds association.

How the Competition Works

Participants were required to build a slingshot from materials provided by the event organizers, which included various types of elastic bands, wood blanks, and foam grips. The design phase was judged on innovation, safety, and adherence to the “four‑point” design standard that 4‑H encourages—structure, tension, ergonomics, and aesthetics. Once built, each slingshot was tested in two rounds: a distance challenge and an accuracy challenge.

In the distance challenge, contestants launched a standard 2‑inch rubber ball as far as possible, with judges measuring the flight using laser rangefinders. The accuracy challenge involved shooting a 1‑inch metal ball at a target with concentric rings, similar to a standard archery setup. Scores from both challenges were combined to determine the overall winner.

Results and Recognition

The grand prize was a 3‑year scholarship to attend a 4‑H STEM camp, a trophy designed by a local art teacher, and a feature in the state’s annual 4‑H newsletter. Emily Rojas, a 15‑year‑old sophomore from Jackson, took home the top prize with a slingshot that achieved a distance of 165 feet and hit the bullseye in the accuracy round. “I’ve been working on this for months,” Rojas said. “Seeing it work perfectly was the best feeling.” Other notable awardees included a team from Hinds County that won the “Best Design” award for their eco‑friendly slingshot made entirely from recycled materials, and a single participant from Rankin County who received a special “Innovation” award for a design that incorporated a small mechanical lever to increase tension.

Beyond the Competition

Mississippi 4‑H officials announced plans to make the slingshot competition an annual event, with the next one slated for the following year in the state capital, Jackson. The state director also highlighted how the event aligns with 4‑H’s core values—hands‑on learning, community service, and leadership. “We want to encourage kids to think critically and solve problems creatively,” Johnson explained. “A slingshot might seem simple, but it’s a perfect microcosm of engineering: you have to choose materials, understand physics, and test your design.”

The event also served as a platform for educational outreach. Local teachers presented at a pre‑competition workshop on the science behind slingshots, covering topics such as elastic potential energy, projectile motion, and the role of angle in maximizing distance. These workshops, part of the “4‑H STEM Lab” initiative, are designed to complement the curriculum in elementary and middle school science classes across the state.

Community Impact

Parents and community members echoed the excitement about the event’s positive impact on youth development. “It’s not just about the trophy,” said Mark Daniels, a father of two participants. “My kids came home talking about tension, how changing the angle could alter their trajectory, and how they could apply those lessons to other projects.” The local Chamber of Commerce reported that the competition drew visitors from neighboring states, benefiting the local economy with increased patronage at restaurants, hotels, and the New Albany Community Center.

Looking Forward

With the success of this inaugural competition, Mississippi 4‑H plans to broaden the program to include other engineering challenges, such as bridge building and drone piloting. The organization’s website (https://www.mis.4-h.org) details upcoming events and provides resources for teachers and parents who wish to integrate slingshot design and testing into their curriculum.

The first state slingshot competition marked a significant milestone for Mississippi 4‑H, illustrating how a simple, classic tool can be transformed into a catalyst for STEM learning, community engagement, and personal growth. The enthusiasm of the participants and the support of local stakeholders promise a bright future for this innovative program, setting a precedent that other states may soon follow.