Georgia 4-H’ers selected 47 new state winners during the 59th
annual State 4-H Congress in Atlanta July 24-27.



“State 4-H Congress brings the best of the best together,” said
Roger C. “Bo” Ryles, state 4-H program leader. “These young
people have already distinguished themselves as leaders and
winners. State 4-H Congress provides a showcase for their
accomplishments as well as a chance to thank those who make 4-H
successful through their donations of time and resources.”



Following the July 25 competition, the 4-H’ers toured metro
Atlanta, meeting with donors, state legislators and corporate
leaders. A July 26 banquet honored the state winners. During the
banquet, Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor was recognized with the 2001 Friend
of 4-H Award for his support of 4-H.



Georgia 4-H is the youth education component of the University of
Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. State
Congress is the culmination of a year’s work in a 4-H project.
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.



Here are this year’s state winners, listed by county, with their
project and the project sponsor:



Bacon – Bryan Wade, plant and soil science, Georgia Plant Food
Educational Society.



Baker – Thomas Jordan, forest resources and wood science,
International Paper.



Bleckley – Beau Bryan, performing arts (piano), Six Flags;
Kristen Porter, dairy foods, Georgia 4-H Foundation; Lauren
Ledbetter, Teen Leader III, Georgia Farm Bureau.



Butts – Anna Daniel, sheep, Georgia 4-H Foundation.



Charlton – Courtney Thornton, public speaking, AgSouth Farm
Credit.



Clarke – Kristin Felton, communications, Georgia 4-H
Foundation.



Colquitt – Elton Baldy, veterinary science, Georgia Veterinary
Medical Association.





Columbia – Mandi Campbell, work force preparation and career
development, Georgia Development Authority; Laurel O’Neal, dog
care and training, GVMA.



Coweta – Cole Beatenbough, target sports, Callaway Foundation and
the family of Col. Jim Boddie; Cody Disque, wildlife and marine
science, Georgia Power.



Crawford – Matthew Williams, power and energy, Chevron.



Dougherty – Timothy Hardwick, general performing arts, Six
Flags.



Effingham – Hanna Dasher, the international project, Georgia 4-H
Foundation; Ashby Graham, bread, White Lily Foods; Patsy Smith,
food safety and preservation, Savannah Foods and Industries.



Elbert – Whitney Fields, human development, Georgia 4-H
Foundation.



Evans – Heidi Hammack, resource management, Georgia Cooperative
Council; Steven Spandle, flowers, shrubs and lawns, Georgia
Development Authority.



Floyd – James Lanier, general recreation, Georgia Recreation and
Parks Association.



Forsyth – SallieBottom, fruits, vegetables and nuts, Griffin
Corporation.



Franklin – Will Cabe, beef, Winn-Dixie and Georgia Cattlemen’s
Association.



Gordon – Hilary Munro, Teen Leader III, Georgia Farm Bureau.



Grady – A.J. Childs, outdoor recreation, White Water.



Gwinnett – Justin Freeman, sports, White Water.



Harris – Matthew Johnson, safety, Atlanta Gas Light.



Jeff Davis – Luke Thrift, consumer education, Atlanta Gas
Light.



Jones – Amanda Pratt, the horse project, Georgia Horse
Council.



Lowndes – Stacia Watkins, vocal performing arts, Six Flags.



Lumpkin – Natasha Cowie, environmental science, Georgia Propane
Gas Association.



Macon – Lynzie McKenzie, photography, Georgia 4-H Foundation.




Marion – Gina Widner, entomology, Georgia Pest Control
Association and UGA Extension entomology department.



Montgomery – Sharon Taylor, pork production, Georgia Pork
Producers.



Morgan – Candace Coats, food fare, Savannah Foods and Industries;
Tiffany Harvey, dairy and milk science, Georgia Milk
Commission.



Pickens – Georgia Edwards, food funds, Georgia 4-H Foundation;
Chris Jones, food for fitness, Savannah Foods and Industries;
Erica Wilmarth, clothing and textiles, Southern Polytechnic State
University.



Pulaski – Nathan Fauscett, instrumental performing arts, Six
Flags; Tia Roberts, fashion revue, Georgia Master 4-H Club.



Richmond – Raymond Chow, physical, biological and earth sciences,
Georgia EMC.



Spalding – Matthew Wilson, poultry and egg science, Georgia
Poultry Federation.



Stephens – Ashley Poole, conservation of natural resources,
Georgia Water Wise Council; Mary Rosenkrans, health, Children’s
Healthcare of Atlanta.



Tift – Anna Clegg, housing, furnishings and design, Georgia
Manufactured Housing Association.



Walton – Lewis Byrne, arts and crafts, Georgia 4-H Foundation;
Jeremy Scoggins, computers, Georgia Power.