4-H’ers Take Top

Honors at State Competition

by Rachel Stewart
County Extension Agent
4-H Youth Development
    As summer draws to an end for most Georgia students, the final competition was just beginning for Georgia 4-H members. State 4-H Congress, one of the biggest highlights of the Georgia 4-H year, was held July 20-23 at the Crown Plaza Ravinia in Atlanta,  and Tattnall returned home with major winners.
    The 4-H’ers who win First Place at the State level are considered Master 4-H’ers and are eligible to join the Georgia 4-H Master Club. They will also advance to National 4-H Congress to be held in November in Atlanta. Tattnall County had three students Mastering in their area. Casey Brannen placed 1st in the Safety Project. Kiara Brewton placed 1st in the Food Fare Project.  Destiny Levant placed 1st in the Textiles, Merchandising, and Interiors Project.
    Special Events State Winners were recognized at the 68th annual Georgia 4-H Congress Banquet on Thursday night. Among those honored were Casey Brannen Mastering in Dean’s Award – Leadership. Casey received this honor through her work with the Sunshine Place and Pledger House of Glennville and her Public Awareness Campaign on the Dangers of Texting and Driving. This award, along with her Safety Project win, makes Casey a two-time Master 4-H’er.
    Stephen DeLoach was named a Georgia 4-H Scholarship winner and was the recipient of the Kitzinger Scholarship.  He was honored on Tuesday evening at the Congress opening assembly. This Scholarship makes Stephen a second-time Master 4-H’er.  He also served on the Georgia 4-H State Board of Directors as Southeast District Representative and was among the presiding officers over this year’s Congress event.
    Receiving 2nd place honors were Martin Tillman in the Dairy Foods Project and Shakina Clay in the Food Safety and Preservation Project.  Third place honors went to Ashley Duffany in the Arts & CraftsProject and Tyler Chancey in the Workforce Preparation and Career Development Project.  Placing in the top five were Sarai Karch, Companion Animals; Emily Mock, Human Development; Nick Eason, Health; and Amber Dubberly, Conservation and Natural Resources.
    The 12 Tattnall County 4-H’ers mentioned above represented their county and the Southeast District where youths from all over Georgia competed for top honors in their individual project areas.  Delegates to State Congress attended banquets, educational tours, and visited other sites in Atlanta, including Six Flags over Georgia.
    The winners of Congress are invited to a special reception where they meet and greet their special 4-H Donors. Four-H Donors are individuals, businesses, or organizations that support the 4-H program in a specific project area or event by donating funds each year for that event.
    To be eligible to advance to State 4-H Congress, 4-H members were named as district winners earlier in the year. To compete at the district level, 4-H’ers must submit a portfolio that outlines activities in their chosen project area, including community service and leadership activities over the past year. Next, the 4-H’er must present a demonstration or illustrated talk in the same project area.
    The 4-H’ers were accompanied to State 4-H Congress by Kay Nease, Tattnall County Extension Secretary; and Rachel Stewart, Tattnall County Extension Agent.
    For more information about 4-H in Tattnall County, contact the County Extension Office at 654-2593 or 557-6724.