Ten Liberty County Junior and Senior 4-H members recently competed at Southeast District Project Achievement. Youth from 39 counties within the district gather for this annual competition as part of the Georgia 4-H core programming. Youth choose from more than 50 project areas – ranging from food and nutrition to recreation and leisure activities. In order to compete, students had to compile a portfolio of their project work, leadership experiences, community service projects, and 4-H activities of the previous year. During the competition, youth present a 10-12 minute demonstration about any topic they choose.
Junior (7th-8th grade) participants were:
Gabe Alvarado – 2nd place in Computer Information Technology
Daisy Clay – 2nd place in Performing Arts Dance
Amiyah Durrence – 2nd place in Safety
Kye Lachowsky – 1st place in Safety
Makayla Nash – 1st place in Plant and Soil Science
Lily Stamps – 1st place in Physical, Biological, and Earth Sciences
Senior (9th-12th grade) participants were:
Monice Battle – 1st place in Housing, Equipment, and Environment
Nadia Crowley – Honorable Mention in Public Speaking
Kelly Lachowsky – 1st place in Entomology
Jakobe Roberts – 4th place in Computer Information Technology
Battle and Kelly Lachowsky placed first within their respective projects, they will represent Liberty County as delegates at State Congress, the premiere state-wide competition in July. There, these individuals will compete against other district winners to be named the state winner and a Master 4-H’er.
District-wide elections are held annually for the Southeast District Junior and Senior Board of Directors. Jonathan Adams, 12th grade 4-H member from Bradwell Institute served on the 2018-2019 Senior Board of Directors and represented Liberty County well.
County Extension Agent Kasey Bozeman, 4-H Program Assistant Gypsy Tart, and 4-H Volunteer Addison James chaperoned the trip. “Project Achievement allows young people to develop so many critical life skills,” said Bozeman. “Keeping records, researching credible information, and orally presenting information are all skills needed for the future. It is so rewarding to see these youth excel in their respective project areas. We are excited to support these 4-H’ers as they advance to the state level of competition.”
To learn more about the 4-H programming in Liberty County, you can contact the Liberty County Extension Office at 876-2133 or uge3179@uga.edu.