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Published on 06/30/97

Winners Honored at 55th State 4-H Congress

Georgia 4-H honored its top members during the 55th annual State 4-H Congress in Atlanta June 16-19.

The state winners will represent Georgia at the 1997 National 4- H Congress Nov. 28-Dec. 2 in Memphis, Tenn.

"State Congress is our time to showcase some of the most outstanding young people in Georgia," said Roger C. "Bo" Ryles, state 4-H leader for the University of Georgia Extension Service. "It culminates the 4-H year."

The 253 teens in the State Congress each won earlier county and district competitions. They gave illustrated talks on what they learned in their projects. They prepared portfolios of their project work. And they answered questions about their work in interviews.

"Teenagers have so many activities to choose from these days," Ryles said. "We are constantly reminded of the value of Georgia 4-H by the huge number who work year-round through their high school careers to be the best in our program areas."

Georgia 4-H started in 1904 as a 150-member boys' corn club. It now has 170,000 members in Georgia. Nationwide, about 5.5 million are members. They compete in projects ranging from poultry to electronics.

The 1997 state winners, listed by counties with their project areas and sponsors:

Bartow: Paul Pugliese, plant and soil science, Georgia Plant Food Education Society.

Bleckley: Trayvis Manuel, sports, White Water.

Butts: Annette Wilson, fashion revue, Georgia 4-H Foundation.

Bulloch: Carole Hicks, beef, Winn-Dixie and the Georgia Cattlemen's Association.

Clarke: Jocelyn Bright, resource management, Georgia 4-H Foundation.

Coffee: Tino Johnson, food for fitness, Savannah Foods & Industries; Casey Merritt, shooting sports, Georgia 4-H Foundation; Justin Paulk, dairy foods, Georgia 4-H Foundation.

Coweta: Sherry Wilson, horse, Gold Kist.

Dade: Brandon Clark, electric/electronics, Georgia EMC.

Echols: Sara Corbett, flowers, shrubs and lawns, Georgia Development Authority.

Effingham: Brooke Burns, forestry, Union Camp; Sharon Knight, consumer education, Atlanta Gas Light; Jessica Redmond, swine, Georgia Pork Producers Association; Sayra Stone, housing, furnishings and design, Georgia Manufactured Housing Association; Haley Watkins, instrumental performing arts, Six Flags Over Georgia.

Evans: Melissa Daniel, public speaking, Georgia Farm Credit Associations.

Gilmer: Matthew Newton, photography, Georgia 4-H Foundation.

Hall: Jordan Haynes, dairy and milk science, Georgia Department of Agriculture.

Haralson: Jared Eaves, vocal performing arts, Six Flags.

Harris: Julie Johnson, safety, Georgia 4-H Foundation; Jennifer Morgan, sheep, Georgia State Fair.

Houston: Lindsey Etheridge, veterinary science, Georgia Veterinary Medical Association.

Irwin: Rachael Ellis, general recreation, Georgia Recreation and Parks Association; Jorjanne Zorn, communications, Georgia 4-H Foundation.

Macon: Laura McLendon, wildlife, Georgia Power.

Madison: Amanda Bridges, environmental science, Georgia Propane Gas Association; Art Ryder, entomology, Georgia Pest Control Association.

Mitchell: Mary Frances Sellers, fruits, vegetables and nuts, Griffin Corporation.

Montgomery: Henry Price, petroleum power, Chevron USA.

Morgan: Kristy Malcom, health, Egleston Children's Hospital; Beth Webb, conservation of natural resources, Georgia Water Wise Council.

Newton: Amanda Eaton, general performing arts, Six Flags Over Georgia.

Oglethorpe: Katie Walker, dog care, Georgia Veterinary Medical Association.

Pickens: Julie Byers, food preservation and safety, Savannah Foods & Industries; Sylvia Childers, food fare, Savannah Foods & Industries; Rachel Lovern, human development, Kilpatrick & Cody; Joe Morgan, poultry and egg science, Georgia Poultry Federation; Jennifer Reeves, computers, Georgia Power; Will Tate, wood science, Georgia Development Authority; Kanyon Warden, arts and crafts, Georgia Recreation and Parks Association.

Pulaski: Lesley Jennings, clothing and textiles, Apparel Education Foundation.

Tift: Kristy Baker, bread, White Lily Foods; Kim Grisson, food funds, Georgia 4-H Foundation; Tara Douce, outdoor recreation, White Water.

Faith Peppers is the director of public affairs with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.