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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2025

Brookings, Oregon

Local Archer Competes at 4-H Nationals, Team Oregon ﬁnishes 8th in Nation

BY LINDA LEE

Curry Coastal Pilot

Isaiah Hodges, a 15-year-old archer from Brookings, competed for the first time at the national level this past summer at the National 4-H Shooting Sports Championships in Grand Island, Nebraska. "Shooting the bow and meeting people are my favorite parts of the sport," Hodges said. Hodges competed in the compound archery division. He, and the team, competed against other archers from across the country. The event brought together 33 states and 124 competitors in the compound archery discipline alone. Held over a full week in Grand Island, Nebraska, the schedule was packed from start to finish, from equipment checks and practice sessions to opening and closing ceremonies, and of course, three full days of intense competition. Day one featured the FITA round, day two was the Field competition, and day three was the 3D Target event. Team Oregon proudly held their own among the nation’s best, finishing 8th in the nation, an achievement to be incredibly proud of. The weather in Nebraska added an unexpected level of challenge. The week brought extreme heat, high humidity, sudden thunderstorms, and even a record 7.5 inches of rain in a single night, an amount they hadn’t seen in years. That storm nearly canceled the 3D Target event, but thanks to the efforts of organizers and volunteers, all the targets were moved to a different field. The competition went forward, though it started late and

At Nationals: The team from Oregon at the 4-H Nationals in Grand Island, Nebraska. extended well into the hot, humid evening. And then, there was the wind. Strong, unpredictable gusts swept across the open fields, making every shot even more difficult. It tested the skill and focus of each competitor in a way that no indoor practice ever could. “The young archers showed true grit and resilience, standing out in the open for hours with no shade, pushing through fatigue, heat, wind, and storms and never gave up,” said Tiffany Hodges, Isaiah’s mom. Hodges credits archery with teaching him valuable life skills like patience, discipline, confidence and communication. He's

also grateful for the support of his parents, coaches, and fellow archers, including James Anderson, who competed at nationals last year and has been mentoring Hodges. "I've learned a lot from my coaches and teammates," Hodges said. "They've helped me improve my skills and conﬁdence." Hodges is hopeful that competing at nationals will open doors for him, including potential scholarships and opportunities to compete at higher levels. He's also excited to represent Brookings, and Oregon, at the national competition. "It's been amazing to watch these kids grow as archers and

as individuals," said Thompson who is proud of the progress Hodges and the other archers in the club have made. "They're learning valuable life skills and developing a strong sense of community." The National 4-H Shooting Sports Championships is the largest shooting competition in the world, with participants from all over the country competing in various disciplines, including archery, muzzleloader, shotgun and more. "I'm proud to be part of the Brookings 4-H community," Hodges said. "I'm grateful for the support I've received and I'm excited to see what the future

holds." As the nation's largest youth development organization, 4-H is a key program of the Cooperative Extension System, supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). In Curry County, Oregon State University (OSU) Extension plays a crucial role in providing resources and guidance to ensure local youth thrive. "Our mission is to provide hands-on learning experiences that help youth develop life skills, leadership and a sense of community," said a representative from the OSU Extension ofﬁce. "With the support of Oregon State University, Curry County's Please see ARCHERY Page 3

City of Brookings Staff Highlight: Kim Kennedy I do makes a real difference in some people’s daily lives. Whether I’m answering a question, solving a problem, or just offering a kind word, it’s rewarding to be part of something that helps our city run smoothly. I do my best to be patient and helpful. I try to treat each person with respect and kindness and enjoy being able to help people walk away with answers, or at least a little less stress than when they came in.” Outside of work, she loves spending time with her family and friends, volunteering, enjoying a little quiet time, and being with her loyal doodle, Raye, who is always faithfully by At the window: Kim is always available to greet her side. the public with a smile The City of Brookings is grateful for Kenneand a trusted connection for our dy’s dedication, kindness and residents. service, qualities that make her “Kennedy has been the steady, an invaluable part of our team welcoming presence our commu-

BY WENDY GIORDANO If you’ve ever called city hall or stopped by the customer service window, chances are you’ve met Kim Kennedy. She’s the friendly voice on the phone and the smiling face ready to help. For nearly fourteen years, Kennedy has been providing customer service, answering calls, handling utility billing, accounts receivable, business licenses and transient lodging tax, all while making sure residents feel welcome and supported. “Kennedy has been a cornerstone of our team at City Hall for nearly fourteen years,” said Brookings City Manager Tim Rundel. “Her compassion, patience and integrity shine through in everything she does. Brookings is a better place because of her service and we are grateful for her dedication." Before joining the City of Brookings, Kennedy worked in a variety of ﬁnance-related administrative management jobs. A long-time Brookings resident of more than thirty years, Kennedy and her husband have four children and six grandchildren. When asked what she enjoys most about her work, Kennedy didn’t hesitate, “The people. I love knowing that the work

Besties: Kim and Raye enjoying the good life. nity counts on when they call or visit City Hall,” shared Human Resources and Finance Director Lu Ehlers. “That kind of consis-

tency builds trust, and Brookings is fortunate to have someone so dedicated to serving our residents with care and kindness.”

Del Norte Triplicate Ceases Publication Under Country Media

Country Media Staff The Wednesday, September 17, issue of the weekly Del Norte Triplicate was the newspaper’s ﬁnal edition under Country Media. In 2019, Country Media, Inc. purchased the Del Norte Triplicate out of bankruptcy. It was

a purchase that included the weekly Curry Coastal Pilot in Brookings, OR. “When we decided to purchase these two publications out of bankruptcy six years ago, we were looking to add to our family of papers along the Paciﬁc Coast,” said Country Media’s

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chief executive, Joe Warren. “We knew going in there would have to be changes to enable us to maintain sustainability of these failing businesses.” In addition to The Triplicate, Country Media owns nine Oregon newspapers, most of them along the Paciﬁc coastline.

“The Salem, OR-based company will continue to publish the

Brookings Curry Coastal Pilot,” said Warren.

Phone Number: 707-460-8655 • Email: Circulation@CountryMedia.net

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