“In a year of crisis in our country, this group of young people
reminds us that for 100 years, 4-H has helped America train its
leaders of tomorrow,” said Roger C. “Bo” Ryles, state 4-H
program
leader with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural
and
Environmental Sciences.

“State 4-H Congress brings together the best of the best,” he
said. “The young people here have already distinguished
themselves as leaders and winners. 4-H Congress provides us a
showcase for their accomplishments as well as a chance to thank
the people who make 4-H successful through their donations of
time and resources.”

Tours, Meetings

On June 5, the 4-H’ers toured metro Atlanta, meeting with
donors,
state legislators and corporate leaders. A banquet that evening
honored the state winners.

The night before the competition, the family of the late Sen.
Herman Talmadge was presented the 2002 Friend of 4-H award for
their long-standing commitment and contribution to the Georgia
4-H program.

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 a 4-H
project. 4-H’ers prepare portfolios of their project work,
participate in interviews about their portfolios and give oral
presentations for this statewide competition.

This Year’s Winners

This year’s state winners, projects and project donors,
listed by their home counties:

Appling: Blake Tippett, wildlife and marine science,
Georgia Power.

Banks: Clark Williams, veterinary science, Georgia
Veterinary Medical Association.

Bleckley: Jed Evans, public speaking, Georgia Farm
Credit Association; Ashley Pettis, housing, furnishings and
design, Georgia Manufactured Housing Association; Kristen
Davis, food safety and preservation, Heavenly Ham.

Bulloch: Justin Tyson, forestry resources and wood
science, International Paper Company.

Butts: Stephanie Rivers, arts and crafts, Marian S.
Fisher.

Carroll: Kayla Thompson, performing arts (general),
Six
Flags Over Georgia; Cheyanne Coggins, beef, Winn-Dixie
Stores and Georgia Cattleman’s Association.

Clarke: Erica Harrison, sports, White Water; Casey
Mull, general recreation, Georgia Recreation and Parks
Association.

Colquitt: Michael Chafin, plant and soil science,
Georgia Plant Food Educational Society.

Columbia: Jennifer O’Neal, fruits, vegetables and nuts,
Griffin Corporation.

Crisp: Jessica Calhoun, Fashion Revue, Georgia Master
4-H Club.

Dade: Travis Randolph, pork production, Georgia Pork
Producers Association; Tyler Randolph, power and energy,
Chevron Corporation.

Effingham: James Herrin, outdoor recreation, White
Water; Brittany Dasher, bread, White Lily Foods
Company.

Elbert: Stephanie Greenway, horse, Georgia Horse
Council.

Evans: Anna Lewis, dog care and training, Georgia
Veterinary Medical Association; Bessy Lewis, performing arts
(piano), Six Flags Over Georgia.

Fayette: Mike Brennison, physical, biological and earth
science, Georgia Electric Membership Corporation.

Forsyth: Emily Teatro, dairy foods, Georgia
Agricultural Commodity Commission for Milk; Morgan Rappatta,
performing arts – other instrumental, Six Flags Over
Georgia.

Jones: Leann Rowland, safety, Georgia 4-H
Foundation; Courtney Brock, communications, Georgia 4-H
Volunteer Leaders Association.

Madison: Summer Adams, environmental science, AGL
Resources; Kristi Smith, target sports, Callaway
Foundation and family of Col. James Boddie; Ashley
Loudermilk, clothing and textiles, Southern Polytechnic State
University; Lisa Roach, photography, Georgia 4-H
Foundation.

Monroe: Katie Benson, poultry and egg science, Georgia
Poultry Federation.

Oconee: Heather Mispagel, health, Children’s
Healthcare
of Atlanta; Heather Savelle, dairy and milk science,
Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Milk.

Pickens: Elizabeth Jasperse, entomology, Georgia Pest
Control Association and UGA Extension Service entomology
department.

Rockdale: Cort Webb, conservation of natural resources,
Georgia Water Wise Council.

Sumter: Ashley Goodman, food funds, Publix Supermarket
Charities.

Tift: Russ Vann, resource management, Georgia
Cooperative Council; Ashley Chesnut, international,
Equifax; Miles Drummond, food for fitness, Georgia 4-H
Foundation; Ivy Young, human development, Georgia
Association of Extension 4-H Agents.

Toombs: Missy Stanford, flowers, shrubs and lawns,
Georgia Development Authority.

Walton: Ali Nelson, work force preparation and career
development, Randstad North America; Laurie Murrah,
sheep,
Georgia 4-H Foundation; Rachel McCarthy, computers,
Georgia Power Company.

Wilcox: Kelly Henderson, performing arts (vocal), Six
Flags Over Georgia; Demetrius Penn, food fare, Georgia
Development Authority.

Wilkes: Jennifer Hardy, consumer education, April and
Brian Crow.