Georgia 4-H Project Achievement empowers young people with skills for a lifetime. Through a competitive process, students explore their interests, unleash their creativity, share their work, and celebrate their achievements.

Nearly 400 4-Her’s from throughout the Southwest District (41 counties) recently gathered at the Rock Eagle 4-H Center in Eatonton for 4-H Project Achievement. While at the weekend event, 4-H’ers took part in a two-part competition which involved submitting a portfolio in their project area and then doing an oral presentation or performing to a panel of judges.  

Among the group was 19 4-H members from Thomas County 4-H Program. Results for the event are as follows; Junior Competition for seventh and eighth graders:

Jenna McBee – first place seventh grade Horse

Zavier Bristol – first place eighth grade Wildlife

Lee Halle – first place seventh grade Cat Care

Paisley Hurst – first place eighth grade Horse

Jordan Wallace – first place in seventh grade Vet Sciences

Ziara McCoy – second place seventh grade Team Sports

Jackson Carter – third place eighth grade Performing Arts Instrumental

Anna Argo – fourth place seventh grade Horse

Senior results for ninth through 12th graders: 

Kristen Anderson – Sr. Horse – first place in the Senior Horse Project

Je’Niece Manning – first place in Senior Companion and Specialty Animal Sciences

Heaven Thomas – first place in Senior Textiles, Merchandising and Interiors

Heaven Richards – second place in Senior Veterinary Science

McKenzie Jones – second place in Senior Dairy

Hayley Law – third place in Senior Safety

Keasia Horton – third place Senior Computer Information and Technology

Lydia Glass – third place Senior International

Malachi Thomas – third place in Senior Dog Care and Training

Joshua Glass – Honorable mention in Senior Workforce Preparation and Career Development 

Adrienne Jones – Honorable mention in Senior Communications

The three senior 4-H’ers placing first in their projects will be advancing to State Congress. The state event will be held in Atlanta in July. Kristen Anderson is a ninth grade student at Thomas County Central High School and the daughter of Sean and Lisa Anderson. Je’Niece Manning is a 12th grade student at Thomas County Central High School and she is the daughter of Beverly Manning and Heaven Thomas is an 11th grade student at Thomas County Central High School and is the daughter of Shagarie Thomas. As State Congress delegates, all three will be judged in interview and public speaking and will be vying for Master 4-H status and a trip to National 4-H Congress. 

In addition to having three State Congress delegates, Thomas County 4-H member Ziara McCoy was elected to serve as the vice president of the Southwest District Junior Board of Directors for 2022-23. McCoy is a seventh grade student at Thomas County Middle School and the daughter of Cierrea Thomas. 

Thomas County 4-H was recognized for winning third in the Outstanding 4-H County Programming for the Thomas County 4-H Virtual Pet Show and graduating senior 4-H’ers Je’Niece Manning and Joshua Glass were honored at a special reception and were presented their Georgia 4-H Graduation Cords and History of Georgia 4-H book. 

The Thomas County 4-H’ers were accompanied by the Thomas County Extension 4-H Agent Cindy M. Wynn, Thomas County Extension Ag and Natural Resources Agent Sydni Ingram, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent Ashleigh Childs and  Thomas County 4-H Certified Volunteer Lisa Anderson.

Georgia 4-H empowers youth to become true leaders by developing necessary life skills, positive relationships and community awareness. As the largest youth leadership organization in the state, 4-H reaches more than 242,000 people annually through the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension offices and 4-H facilities. 

For more information, contact Cindy Wynn at (229) 225-4130.