By Faith Peppers
University of
Georgia
"The young people here develop their communication skills, but the value of State 4-H Congress is much broader and deeper than that," said Roger C. "Bo" Ryles, state 4-H program leader with 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. The 4-H'ers here give 12-minute demonstrations and prepare portfolios of their research and service in 48 project areas such as public speaking, computers, horticulture and human development. University faculty members and other expert judges evaluate their work and interview them on their presentations and portfolios.
"When you combine what they learn through their project work with their interaction with the academic, business, civic and corporate leaders they meet here," Ryles said, "you'd be hard- pressed to find a stronger leadership development system anywhere."
A banquet July 21 honored state winners.
Here are this year's state winners, projects and project donors, listed by their home counties.
BIBB: Vinson Muhammad won in performing arts - general, sponsored by Six Flags Over Georgia.
BLECKLEY: Laura Evans won in sports, sponsored by White Water.
BULLOCH: David Martin won in beef, sponsored by Winn Dixie Stores, Inc. Brooke Brookins won in housing and environment, sponsored by Bucky Cook and the Georgia 4-H Volunteer Leaders Association.
CLARKE: Athena Lao won in performing arts, piano, sponsored by Six Flags Over Georgia.
CLAYTON: Sarah Landerfelt won in fashion revue, sponsored by the Georgia Master 4-H Club.
COLUMBIA: Jillian Rumbaugh won in food fast and healthy, sponsored by Georgia 4-H Foundation and Dr. Anupam Goel.
CRAWFORD: Anna Collins won in festive foods for health, sponsored by Publix Super Markets Charities.
CRISP: Jessica Gordon won in outdoor recreation, sponsored by White Water.
DOUGHERTY: Tracy Edwards won in workforce preparation and career development, sponsored by Ramstad North America.
EFFINGHAM: Kathy Snooks won in arts and crafts, sponsored by Mrs. Marion Fisher and Mrs. Brandie Rucks Park (in honor of Jason and Hope Parris). Rebecca Kessler won in fruits, vegetables and nuts, sponsored by Alice Griffin Howard and the Georgia 4-H Foundation.
EMANUEL: Chet Sconyers won in plant and soil science, sponsored by Georgia Plant Food Educational Society, Inc.
EVANS: Joshua Eason won in computers, sponsored by Georgia Power Company. Crystal McCorkle won in textiles, merchandising and interiors, sponsored by Russell Corp.
FORSYTH: Sarah Singleton won in food safety and preservation, sponsored by Tom and Mildred Coleman, Elizabeth Andress and Gary and Rhonda Keve. Erin Lovin won in horse, sponsored by the Georgia Horse Council.
HARALSON: William Heath won in poultry and egg science, sponsored by the Georgia 4-H Foundation and the Georgia Poultry Federation.
HARRIS: Adam Johnson won in safety, sponsored by AGL Resources, Inc.
HEARD: Phillip Nowicki won in environmental science, sponsored by the Georgia 4-H Foundation.
JACKSON: Ward Black won in public speaking, sponsored by Georgia Farm Credit Associations.
LEE: Britny Wray won in companion animal science, sponsored by Monroe Veterinary Clinic, Inc., Mrs. Lindsey W. Nelson, Georgia 4-H Foundation, Bill and Edna Sell (in memory of Scott Sell). Chris Uppole won in communications, sponsored by Georgia 4-H Volunteer Leaders Association. Monet Murphy won in wildlife and marine science, sponsored by Georgia Power Company.
LOWNDES: Kris Fletcher won in flowers, shrubs and lawns, sponsored by the Georgia Development Authority.
MADISON: Kayla Perry won in the international project, sponsored by Equifax, Inc. Brittany Kimball-Scott won in the physical, biological and Earth sciences, sponsored by Georgia Electric Membership Corp.
MARION: Ashley Waters won in power and energy, sponsored by Chevron/Texaco.
MONTGOMERY: Nicole Crabb won in photography, sponsored by Georgia Magazine.
MORGAN: Christine Trulock won in bread, sponsored by Georgia 4-H Foundation. Mary Ann Cochran won in dairy foods, sponsored by the Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Milk.
OCONEE: Anna Savelle won in dairy and milk science, sponsored by Mrs. Angela Broder Nemeth and the Georgia Department of Agriculture. Emily Martin won in resource management, sponsored by Georgia Cooperative Council, Inc.
OGLETHORPE: Christina Waller won in health, sponsored by Mrs. Ellinore Nicholason, Mr. and Mrs. Lamar Martin, North Fulton Regional Hospital and Greater Association of Diabetes Educators.
PAULDING: Emme Worthy won in consumer education, sponsored by Dr. Anupam Goel. Joshua Rogers won in target sports, sponsored by Callaway Foundation and the family of Col. James "Jim" Boddie. Sam Raybon won in veterinary sciences, sponsored by Georgia Veterinary Medical Association.
PICKENS: Mary Alice Jasperse won in entomology, sponsored by Georgia Pest Control Industry Association and Cooperative Extension Entomology.
RABUN: Jennifer Davenport won in human development, sponsored by Georgia Association of Extension 4-H Agents.
SCREVEN: Alicia Haire won in forestry and wood science, sponsored by International Paper Company.
STEPHENS: Jessie Moore won in food fare, sponsored by Georgia Development Authority.
TATTNALL: Cassandra Murphy won in conservation of natural resources, sponsored by Georgia Water Wise Council. Beth Lynn won in sheep and meat goats, sponsored by Dr. and Mrs. James Williamson.
TAYLOR: Ashley Cooper won in performing arts - other instrumental, sponsored by Six Flags Over Georgia.
TREUTLEN: Joanna Ware won in general recreation, sponsored by Georgia Recreation and Parks Association, Inc.
TURNER: Lauren Reeves won in pork production, sponsored by the Georgia Pork Producers Association.
UPSON: Adam McDonald won in dog care and training, sponsored by the Georgia Veterinary Medical Association.
WALTON: Natalie Reeder won in performing arts - vocal, sponsored by Six Flags Over Georgia.
Georgia 4-H is the youth education component of the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
