Wednesday, August 7, 2013

71st Annual Georgia 4-H Congress



Georgia 4-H Congress is the premiere competitive and recognition event for high school age Georgia 4-H’ers.  Coordinated by the University of Georgia College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Cooperative Extension Georgia 4-H program, Congress is financially supported by donors and contributors to the Georgia 4-H Foundation. Held each year in Atlanta, the program includes recognition of scholarship recipients, evaluation event winners both team and individual, installation of the Georgia 4-H Board of Directors, and competition in project areas as well as leadership in action.  The 71st Georgia 4-H Congress was July 23-26, 2013 and  head quartered at the Crowne Plaza Ravinia on Ashford Dunwoody Road in North Atlanta

 4-H Project Achievement State Competition is the cornerstone of the week. Over 245 youth from 95 counties in Georgia delivered 10 to 12 minute presentations in forty-eight project areas and met with judges to discuss their portfolio of project work, leadership and service.  Projects range from Environmental Sciences to Performing Arts Vocal from Wildlife and Marine Sciences to Family Resource Management. Competition takes place all day Wednesday for presentation competition and Tuesday evening for Performing Arts competition.  Announcement of winners takes place in an energetic program at Six Flags over Georgia in the Crystal Pistol on Wednesday evening as the park closes.



Leadership in Action Competition is an interview and application process.  Eight youth from each area in Georgia are competing for state honors. Young people in Leadership in Action have identified a community need and worked to meet the need in their community. This year’s competitors have been involved projects such as poverty initiative to improve the quality of life in their community, a fundraising program to replace reduced funds for the public library, creating holiday gifts for service members overseas.  Competition took place on Tuesday with announcement of winners during the Leadership Banquet.  


Opening Program on Tuesday  not only kicked off Congress but also honored 35 youth who  received scholarships for their continued education. Scholarship recipients are selected in a competitive application process and will enter colleges and universities in the fall as freshman, sophomore or upper classman. 




Leadership Banquet recognized Extension leadership in youth and adults.  The program includes recognition of the Leadership in Action winners, 4-H Camp & Center Leadership and the WA Sutton Scholarship.   This year's Friend of 4-H Award was presented to Dr. Gail Hanula and State 4-H President Tifara Brown received the WA Sutton Scholarship.




Annual Banquet kicked off Thursday  with the parade of winners.  Forty-eight project winners and more than 100 special events (evaluation and other competitive events) winners entered the banquet room filled with more than 600 youth, donors and administrators for the annual banquet.  During the meal, Special Events winners who have placed first in state competitions are recognized for their work. Special events are 4-H competitive events that include evaluation or judging programs, horse and livestock shows, shooting sports competition, quiz bowl contests and other programs.  Events range from Forestry Field Day competition to Consumer Judging.  State Project winners announced the evening before are also recognized. In addition several special awards are presented including the Green Jacket award presented to a government or administrative official for his/her work with the 4-H program, the GAE4HA Friend of 4-H Award, the William H Booth Award for work of an experienced county 4-H agent and the Bo Ryles Rising Star Award for a new county 4-H agent. The banquet also includes the installation of the nine Georgia 4-H Board of Directors. The Georgia 4-H Board of Directors is the newly elected state 4-H officers who serve as representatives of 4-H and plan events for high school age youth statewide.   Receiving this year's 4-H Green Jacket Award is Governor Nathan Deal; Ryles Rising Star Winner is Allen Nasworthy; William H. Booth State honors go to Zona Medley and the Friend of 4-H Award was presented to John Bulloch.

Message from Governor Deal, 4-H Green Jacket Award Winner







Other Congress activities includes tours of the Atlanta area, interaction with 4-H donors and UGA administrators, a reception for high school seniors and opportunities for youth to interact and get to know 4-H’ers from all over the state.  As Congress delegates come from all corners of Georgia, the opportunity to meet and spend time in the capitol of Georgia is an experience itself for many competitors.

For additional information contact Jenny Jordan, Extension 4-H Faculty, (jwj4h@uga.edu) or Arch Smith, State 4-H Leader/Director of 4-H, (asmith@uga.edu).  Georgia 4-H Office, Hoke Smith Annex-UGA, Athens, Ga 30602, 706-542-4H4H