Georgia 4-H’ers accented the positives as 46 of the state’s
teenagers emerged from project competition to be named state
winners during the 58th annual State 4-H Congress in Atlanta
June
12-14.

“It’s good to be with hundreds of young people involved
in positive activity,” said Roger C. Ryles, state 4-H program
leader. “State 4-H Congress always brings out the best in young
people and reminds all of us that the future for Georgia is
bright.”

Following the June 13 competition, the 4-H’ers toured
metro Atlanta, meeting with donors, state legislators and
corporate leaders. A June 14 banquet honored the state
winners.

Hard Work Pays Off

Georgia 4-H is the youth education component of the UGA
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. State
Congress is the culmination of a year’s work in 4-H projects. Of
the thousands of 4-H’ers who competed at the county level,
only 267 made it to State Congress.

4-H’ers prepare a portfolio of their project work,
participate in an interview about their portfolio and give an
oral presentation for this statewide competition.

And the Winners Are:

Here are this year’s state winners, projects and project
donors, listed by their home counties.

Atkinson: Jennifer White won in environmental
sciences, sponsored by Georgia Propane Gas Association.

Bartow: Emmie Gooch won in sports, sponsored by
White Water.

Bulloch: Rebecca Creasy won in veterinary
science,
sponsored by the Georgia Veterinary Medical Association.

Butts: John Brown won in outdoor recreation,
sponsored by White Water. Amy Fletcher won in fashion revue,
sponsored by the Georgia Master 4-H Club.

Clarke: Stephanie Whorton won in food safety and
preservation, sponsored by Savannah Foods & Industries.

Colquitt: John Gibbs won in computers, sponsored
by Georgia Power.

Crisp: Stewart McKinney won in workforce
preparation and career development, sponsored by the Georgia 4-H
Foundation. Lauren Westbrook won in wildlife and marine science,
sponsored by Georgia Power.

DeKalb: Nate Tate won in communications,
sponsored
by Jackson Electric Membership Corporation.

Dooly: Alvie Coes III won in resource management,
sponsored by the Georgia Cooperative Council.

Early: Katrina Smith won in health, sponsored by
Egleston Scottish Rite Children’s Medical Center.

Effingham: Erica Kessler won in dairy foods,
sponsored by the Georgia 4-H Foundation. Crystal Starling won in
safety, sponsored by Atlanta Gas Light. Karla Groce won in arts
and crafts, sponsored by Georgia Recreation and Park
Association.

Elbert: Ross Oglesby won in sheep, sponsored by
the Georgia 4-H Foundation.

Forsyth: Julie Ditmore won in plant and soil
science, sponsored by Georgia Plant Food Educational Society.

Gwinnett: Luke Gaines won in power and energy,
sponsored by Chevron.

Harris: Matthew Newberry won in physical,
biological and earth sciences, sponsored by Georgia EMC.

Johnson: Michael Cason won in food funds,
sponsored by General Mills.

Lanier: Dannyelle Wilcox won in food for fitness,
sponsored by Savannah Foods & Industries. Chris Curtis won in
food fair, sponsored by Savannah Foods & Industries.

Lee: Kelle Spencer won in dairy and milk science,
sponsored by the Agricultural Commodity Commission for Milk.

Morgan: Meredith Bryans won in horse, sponsored
by
Gold Kist.

Oconee: Veronica Burgess won in photography,
sponsored by the Georgia 4-H Foundation. Erin Shealy won in
bread, sponsored by White Lily Foods Company.

Peach: Kelli James won in performing arts
(piano),
sponsored by Six Flags Over Georgia.

Tift: Laura Bland won in clothing and textiles,
sponsored by Southern Polytechnic State University. Matthew
Clegg
won in target sports, sponsored by the Calloway Foundation and
the family of Col. James “Jim” Boddie. Mary Beth Lee won in dog
care and training, sponsored by the Georgia VMA. Andrew Leidner
won in conservation of natural resources, sponsored by the
Georgia Water Wise Council.

Union: Brian Lance won in beef, sponsored by
Winn-Dixie.

Walton: Ruthie Hull won in housing, furnishings
and design, sponsored by the Georgia Manufactured Housing
Association. Jillian Nelson won in flowers, shrubs and lawns,
sponsored by the Georgia Development Authority.

Wilcox: Candice Clark won in fruits, nuts and
vegetables, sponsored by Griffin Corporation. Joel McKie won in
swine, sponsored by the Georgia Pork Producers Association.

Wilkes: Ashley Branan won in public speaking,
sponsored by Ag South Farm Credit.

Wilkinson: Brandelyn Scott won in performing arts
(vocal), sponsored by Six Flags.