Donnie Pulliam of Liberty County was among 48 state winners at the 71st annual State 4-H Congress in Atlanta this summer. During the event, each 4-H member gave a 10-minute oral presentation, using visual aids, about any topic before a panel of judges.
Pulliam’s presentation, titled “The Effects of Deployment on Military Children and Youth,” was a human-development project. Since both of his parents serve in the U.S. Army, Pulliam said this topic is very personal to him.
“There’s lots of research that talks about the stages of the emotional cycle of deployment. These issues are real for military kids just like me,” he said. “Being one of the 1.8 million military youth in the U.S. makes me proud. I am proud of the sacrifices my family has made for your freedom.”  
Each competitor at the state congress prepared a portfolio that contained a resume, project work, leadership activities and community service projects from the previous year. Participants also took part in interviews about their project experiences.
“Fewer than 1 percent of competitors win their 4-H project area and are master 4-H’ers,” said Kasey Bozeman, 4-H agent for Liberty County. “I am very proud of Donnie and all that he has accomplished.”  
The human-development project is sponsored by the Georgia Association of Extension 4-H Agents. Pulliam now is a three-time master 4-H member, having already earned state honors in the land-judging contest and a 4-H scholarship this spring. He also earned a trip to the National 4-H Congress in November, where he will meet 4-H members from across the nation.
To learn more about the 4-H program in Liberty County, call Bozeman at 876-2133 or email uge3179@uga.edu.