Sedro-Woolley, WA
July 31, 2023
The United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA) is proud to announce the newest recipients of the Michael Voigt Presidential Education Program Award, Carson Herding and Abigail Jackley. Both young individuals have demonstrated exceptional dedication to shooting sports and have made significant contributions to their communities.
Carson Herding, a 19-year-old competitive shooter, started his journey in the Boy Scouts, achieving the prestigious rank of Eagle at a young age. He transitioned to competitive shooting, using the sport as a tool to maintain discipline in his daily life. Carson has shown remarkable dedication, committing to daily dry fire practice and maintaining a GPA of 3.3 or above while juggling dual enrollment college classes, shooting USPSA competitions, and studying aviation at Brophy College Preparatory in Phoenix, Arizona. He is currently pursuing financial planning in college and working towards his instrument rating for flying, with aspirations of becoming a flight instructor and eventually flying for an airline. Carson credits competitive shooting for enhancing his communication skills and introducing him to a supportive community. As a sponsored shooter, he actively promotes education and awareness in the shooting community.
Abigail Jackley, a senior in high school, has been an active participant in the Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP) since 8th grade. She holds numerous State, Regional, and National titles in SASP competitions and has ventured into USPSA and Steel Challenge shooting. Abigail's talent for writing led her to become a published writer for Junior Shooters magazine, representing outdoor companies and attending prestigious events like the SHOT Show. She received the esteemed "Toyota 2021 Let's Go Places" scholarship, allowing her to attend the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association national writers convention. Abigail plans to attend Gateway Technical College to pursue an Associates Degree in Marketing, aiming to integrate her love for shooting sports, coaching, and marketing into one rewarding career.
Both Carson and Abigail stand as shining examples of the positive influence that shooting sports can have both on and off the range. They express their gratitude to USPSA for all it has done for them and are determined to contribute to the community, ensuring its continued growth and success. For more information about the USPSA Michael Voigt Presidential Education Program, please visit https://uspsa.org/voigt.
