Forty-eight Georgia 4-H’ers earned the coveted title of Master 4-H’er this week at the 71st annual 4-H State Congress held July 23-26 at the Crowne Plaza Ravinia in Atlanta.

The students competed and won first place in regional competitions to earn the right to travel to Atlanta for the state competition.

There, the students competed in a variety of categories ranging from communications to companion animal science to photography to public speaking. Each gave a 12-minute presentation before expert judges and prepared portfolios detailing their research, leadership and service projects.

“Georgia 4-H held the first boys corn contest in 1905 and after 109 years of Georgia 4-H, young people are still developing life skills that will prepare them to be productive and contributing citizens of tomorrow’s workforce,” said Arch Smith, state leader of the Georgia 4-H program.

“No one showed off their prize ears of corn, but all of the students demonstrated their project accomplishments and skills in areas like communications, science, performing arts, public speaking, family and consumer science and agriculture,” he said. “Being around this group of young people will reassure you that the future of our state and nation will be in good hands.”

When asked, the majority of this year’s winners said 4-H helped them gain confidence and public speaking skills.

“When I first joined, I was terrified at the thought of giving a speech. I was encouraged by my awesome 4-H leaders and I presented a speech,” said Jordan Haney, 15, of Dawsonville. “It wasn't so bad. So I continued to do speeches for my homeschool 4-H meetings. Then I began writing presentations for DPA. Through this I became almost unafraid of giving a presentation. I am now able to present a speech well.”

Eight-year 4-H’er Wesley Jackson, 17, of Wrightsville was especially afraid of speaking in public. “I stutter, and if it wasn't for district project achievement, I would not have the nerve to even stand up and speak to anyone. I have gained so much confidence from doing something so simple as presenting a speech,” he said. “I do not let this condition hold me down by any means, but if I never would of started competing through 4-H, maybe I would not be as outgoing because of my stuttering.”

Kayla Jenkins, a six-year 4-H’er from Ludowici, says she has gained self-confidence. “I have met many new people and made life long friends through 4-H,” she said. “There is so many benefits to being in 4-H but I think the biggest is learning that I can be who I want to be, and it's ok.”

Georgia 4-H’ers also complete service projects in their communities.

Melissa Maynard, 18, of Summerville coordinated a prom dress drive and donated more than 90 dresses to teenage girls in her county. “I learned marketing skills and how to collaborate with others to accomplish a successful event,” she said. “And, I was proud to help the girls who were in need of a dress, who otherwise may not have been able to attend the prom.”

Emily Kate Bridges, 16, of Lexington volunteers with search and rescue operations in Oglethorpe County. “I often take food and water to emergency calls for fires as the firemen need rehab from the intense work fires require,” she said. In 2012, she helped feed more than 400 searchers and assist with a search for a missing elderly man.

Seventeen-year-old Anthony Catanzariti’s project reached far beyond his Glennville community. He led fundraiser to buy mosquito nets for children in Mali to reduce their risks of contracting malaria. “Through this I learned that there are people who without our help would have most certainly suffered, but knowing we helped them has instilled me with a sense of purpose and a desire to help others,” he said.

This year's Georgia 4-H winners, projects and donors, listed by their home counties are:

BACON

Madison Carter won the companion animal category sponsored by William and Edna Sell. She is the daughter of Gerald and Cynthia Carter of Alma.

BALDWIN

Maya Mapp won the textiles, merchandising and interiors category sponsored by The Daniel Ashley and Irene Houston Jewell Memorial Foundation.

BARTOW

Danielle Drexler won the target sports category sponsored by the family of Col. James “Jim” Boddie and the Callaway Foundation. Thomas Gilbert won the performing arts-general category sponsored by Six Flags Over Georgia.

BIBB

Samaria Spencer won the dog care and training category sponsored by the Georgia Veterinary Medical Association. She is the daughter of Sheila Spencer of Macon.

BUTTS

Emily Barnes won the fashion revue category sponsored by the Georgia Master 4-H Club. She is the daughter of Jerry and Jane Barnes of Jackson.

CAMDEN

Jessica Davenport won the sports category sponsored by Clover Glove Race Series.

CHARLTON

Ashley Thigpen won the general recreation category sponsored by the Georgia Recreation and Park Association, Inc. She is the daughter of Terry and Kerry Thigpen of Folkston.

CHATHAM

Candicee Childs won the conservation and natural resources category sponsored by Sara Godwin. She is the daughter of Darren and Tina Childs from Savannah. Peyton West won the photography category sponsored by Georgia Magazine. She is the daughter of Rodney and Patricia West of Bloomingdale.

CHATTOOGA

Melissa Maynard won the dairy and milk science category sponsored by Angela Broder Nemeth, Henry and Judy Hibbs and the family of Frances McKissick in memory of Bobby Gene McKissick. She is the daughter of Mitch and Kathy Maynard of Summerville.

CLARKE

Veronika Rzucidlo won the performing arts-dance category sponsored by Burley and Connie Page. She is the daughter of Dorota and Jacek Rzucidlo of Athens.

COLUMBIA

Rachel Luoma won the health category sponsored by Dr. Greg L. Jones. She is the daughter of Keith and Linda Luoma of Martinez.

CRISP

Hanna Dunnavant won the forestry, wood science category sponsored by Bill Lott, Paulding Timber Products, Inc. and the Georgia 4-H Foundation. She is the daughter of Mickey and Janann Dunnavant of Cordele. Dowdy White won the computers category sponsored by the Georgia 4-H Foundation, Georgia Power and AT&T. He is the son of Billy and Gwen White of Cordele.

ELBERT

Grace Webb won the sheep and meat goats category sponsored by Jim and Renee Williamson. She is the daughter of Scott and Robin Webb of Bowman.

EMANUEL

Christopher Rios won the family resource management category sponsored by the Sara L. Huff Fund. Brandon Page won the plant and soil science category sponsored by the Georgia Plant Food Educational Society, Inc.

EVANS

Sara McCorkle won the workforce preparation and career development category sponsored by Emerson Climate Technologies.

FANNIN

Sarah Allen won the food fast and fit category sponsored by the M.K. “Curly” Cook family in memory of Sandra B. Cook. She is the daughter of Joe and Frances Allen of Blue Ridge.

FORSYTH

Jordan Haney won the wildlife and marine science category sponsored by Sara Godwin. He is the son of Jeff Haney and Debbie Haney of Dawsonville. Rosie Reeves won the arts and crafts category sponsored by Marian Fisher, the Georgia 4-H Foundation and Ted and Gerrye Jenkins.

GORDON

Anneke Carr won the veterinary science category sponsored by the Georgia Veterinary Medical Association. She is the daughter of Billy and Annemarie Carr of Calhoun. Madison Smith won the performing arts-vocal category sponsored by Dr. Frank Carter.

HALL

Robbie Sheppard won the outdoor recreation category sponsored by The Athens Six.

JEFF DAVIS

Oakley Perry won the fruits, vegetables and nuts category sponsored by the Meadows-Knox Family Fund. He is the son of Jennifer White of Hazelhurst.

JOHNSON

Brett Allen won the festive foods for health category sponsored by Public Super Markets Charities Inc. Wesley Jackson won the physical, biological and Earth sciences category sponsored by Georgia Electric Membership Corporation. He is the son of Bill Johnson and Kim Johnson of Wrightsville.

LIBERTY

Donnie Pulliam won the human development category sponsored by the Georgia Association of Extension 4-H Agents. He is the son of Donnie Pulliam and Monica Robertson of Aberdeen, Miss.

LONG

Kayla Jenkins won the food fare category sponsored by the Georgia Development Authority. She is the daughter of Emily Singleton of Ludowici.

LOWNDES

Camilla Summerford won the environmental science category sponsored by the Georgia Cooperative Council, Inc. She is the daughter of Doug and Kathy Summerford of Valdosta.

MORGAN

Claire Woodard won the beef category sponsored by Jim and Renee Williamson. She is the daughter of James and Janet Woodard of Madison.

NEWTON

Will Holder won the power and energy category sponsored by Mike and Karen Garrett. He is the son of Jesse and Joan Holder of Covington.

OCONEE

Jared Daniel won the pork production category sponsored by the Georgia Pork Producers Association and Arch Smith. He is the son of Michael and Elyse Daniel of Watkinsville. Laura Huff won the communications category sponsored by the Georgia 4-H Volunteer Kelly Huff and Rita Huff of Watkinsville. Brooks Saye won the history category sponsored by Beth Scott-Brown in honor of John Darius Miller Scott and in memory of Darius Miller, the Georgia 4-H Foundation in honor of Keri Gandy, 2012 Rising Star and Bo Ryles.

PAULDING

Lizz Dennis won the flowers, shrubs and lawns category sponsored by the Georgia Development Authority.

RABUN

Bryce Shackleford won the performing arts-other category sponsored by Greg and Becky Price. He is the son of Shonda Justus of Rabun County.

RANDOLPH

Karissa Peachey won the food safety and preservation category sponsored by Gary and Rhonda Kaye. She is the daughter of Mark and Marlene Peachey of Doerun.

ROCKDALE

Tiffani Alexander won the entomology category sponsored by the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service Entomology Department and the Georgia Pest Control Association. She is the daughter of O’Neal and Inetta Alexander of Covington.

TATTNALL

Leeanne DuBois won the safety category sponsored by Greg and Karol Gaines. She is the daughter of John and Joy DuBois of Glennville. Darius Johnson won the dairy foods category sponsored by Earl and Wanda Barrs, the Georgia Ag Tag and the Georgia 4-H Foundation. He is the son of Regina Johnson of Glennville.

TIFT

Sara Johnson won the international category sponsored by the Georgia 4-H Foundation and Mrs. Eleanor I. Smith. She is the daughter of Carroll and June Johnson of Tifton.

TURNER

Hayley Schofill won the housing equipment and environment category sponsored by Bucky and Shelley Cook.

UNION

Katie Rittenhouse won the public speaking category sponsored by AgGeorgia Farm Credit, Farm Credit Associations of Georgia, Kaleb S. McMichen and Cydcor USA, Inc. She is the daughter of Kerry and Julie Rittenhouse of Blairsville.

WALTON

Lana Goitia won the horse category sponsored by the Georgia Ag Tag and the Georgia 4-H Foundation. She is the daughter of Steven and Jaymie Goitia of Bold Springs. Jacob Mappes won the performing arts-piano category sponsored by the 4-H Piano Players. He is the son of Scott and Beth Mappes of Monroe.

WASHINGTON

Tineke van Loenen won the poultry and egg science category sponsored by the Georgia Poultry Federation. She is the daughter of Paul and Lorei van Loenen of Sandersville.

To learn more about Georgia 4-H, visit www.georgia4h.org.