Kayla Jenkins of the Long County 4-H chapter won first place in the “Food Fare” competition at this year’s State Congress, held July 23-26 in Atlanta.
Jenkins earned the status of Master 4-Her. She will be in the national competition this November in Atlanta.
More than 245 youth from 95 counties in Georgia gave 10-to-12-minute presentations in 48 project areas and met with judges to discuss their portfolios of project work, leadership and service. Projects focused on environmental science, performing arts vocal, wildlife and marine sciences and family-resource management.
Jenkins, who has attended State Congress for three years and is a six-year 4-Her, said she has gained self-confidence after being encouraged by her 4-H leader that anything is possible.
“I have met many new people and made lifelong friends through 4-H,” she said. “There are 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.”
Jenkins is a 2013 honor graduate from Camden County after moving there at the beginning of her senior year but made a request that was granted by the Georgia State 4-H office to finish her 4-H career in Long County.
Kayla is the daughter of Emily Singletary and granddaughter of Charlie and Linda Smith of Ludowici.
Long County Extension/4-H serves students in grades four through 12.
For more information, call 545-9549, email overbey@uga.edu or stop by the office in the annex behind the courthouse.