Makayla Boisseau
“Austin Peay provided me with so many opportunities to get involved with leadership. I had previously been involved with leadership roles in high school and outside of school, but organizations like the National Society of Leadership and Success helped me get out of my comfort zone on campus. It helped me make the connections and build up the confidence in order to form the Clay Target Club.”
Major: Elementary Education
Hometown: Adams, Tennessee
Involvement: APSU Clay Target Club President, National Society of Leadership and Success, Student
Tennessee Education Association, Kappa Delta Pi Honors Society
When Makayla Boisseau came to APSU, she had no idea how many doors would be opened to her and how many opportunities would cross her path, both to lead and do what she loves along the way.
“I honestly never expected to end up choosing Austin Peay, but I am so glad that I did. I ultimately chose Austin Peay, though, because it is close to home, as well as how wonderful the Eriksson College of Education is. I also fell in love with the size and beauty of the university. It is probably one of the most beautiful campuses I have ever been to,” Boisseau said.
The elementary education major is the president of the Clay Target Club at APSU, and formed the club a few years back upon realizing the school didn’t have any outdoor shooting sports programs. She has been shooting since she was young and definitely has the experience to back up her position.
“There are so many different clubs and opportunities provided at Austin Peay. You just have to find what part you want to find that leadership role in."
This season alone Boisseau has won multiple awards:
- High All Around Lady 1 Champion- Most targets out of 1,000
- State Collegiate Lady Champion in Sporting Clays
- Trap and Double Trap
- State Collegiate Lady Champion Runner Up
- Lady 1 State Champion in ATA (Amateur Trapshooting Association), making her the youngest woman in Tennessee state history to win 3 Lady 1 Championships
“There are so many different clubs and opportunities provided at Austin Peay. You just have to find what part you want to find that leadership role in."
What the Clay Target Club lacks in membership, they make up for in their performance at both national and regional competitions.
“[This past summer] there were only four members, including myself, who were able to do the competition portion, but we definitely showed up in the best way possible,” Boisseau said. “We have competed against some of the best shooting athletes in the country and managed to bring home around 14 trophies at state and 5 or 6 at Nationals up in Marengo, Ohio.”
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Even when not shooting, Boisseau prioritizes leadership and community in her life and the life of the club.
“I want to introduce as many people as I can to the discipline and the special people the organization brings. So feel free to come out to the Montgomery County Shooting Complex one weekend to speak to one of us members. There is normally at least 2 or 3 club members out there every weekend.”
Boisseau found her place at APSU, and she encourages others to get involved as well.
“There are so many different clubs and opportunities provided at Austin Peay. You just have to find what part you want to find that leadership role in,” she said. “If you can’t find your ‘place’ then do what I did and create your own ‘place’ by forming an organization.”
