THOMASVILLE- Georgia 4-H celebrated excellence during the 80th Annual 4-H State Congress as top 4-H’ers from around the state gathered in Atlanta July 18-21.

State Congress includes the state-level Project Achievement and Leadership in Action contests, as well as recognition of youth development professionals, supporters, and public officials for their contributions to the success of 4-H in Georgia.

Five Thomas County 4-H’ers competed at State Congress this year, including Kira Jenkins in the Dog Care & Training Project, Paisley Hurst in the Companion Animal Sciences Projects, Keasia Horton in the Flowers, Shrubs & Lawn Project, McKenzie Jones in the Dairy Project and Adrianne Jones in the Human Growth & Development Project.

Students who place first at state-level competitions in Georgia 4-H earn the title of “Master 4-H’er.” During State Congress, more than 200 delegates competed in 50 Project Achievement areas and eight delegates competed in the Leadership in Action contest; one individual from each project area and two Leadership in Action competitors received Master 4-H’er status. Special event Master 4-H’ers from the 2022-23 program year were also recognized at State Congress.

Thomas County had one Project winner and two Special Event winners. Jenkins became a double Master 4-H’er by winning 1st place in the Dog Care & Training Project and for being the High Point Champion at the 2023 Georgia State 4-H Horse Show in the Gaited Horse Division. Jenkins received a $500 scholarship and also earned a coveted trip to National 4-H Congress in Atlanta in November.

Our second Special Events Winner is Hurst. Hurst Mastered in the Hippology Contest held in April by being the High Overall Individual in the state. She will be traveling to Colorado in January for the Western National Roundup where she will compete in the Hippology Contest as an Individual.

Other Thomas County placings included; McKenzie Jones 2nd place, Adrianne Jones 3rd place and Horton 3rd place.

More than 48,000 youth participated in Project Achievement last year through 4-H programs at the county level. This essential Georgia 4-H program element empowers young people with leadership, creativity, public speaking, and record keeping skills that will last a lifetime.

At the high school level, students choose a project of interest from a list of areas that include agriculture, human development, performing arts, communication, engineering, and workforce preparation. They subsequently research the topic, create a detailed presentation, and participate in related community service and civic engagement activities. State Congress competition also includes individual interviews with qualified professionals who engage with 4-H’ers about their project work.

State Congress is made possible by generous contributions from organizations that support positive youth development in Georgia. Major sponsors include Georgia’s EMCs, Georgia Power, Georgia 4-H Foundation, and the Georgia Master 4-H Club. Pillar Sponsors for the event include Harley Langdale Jr. Foundation, Inc., Premium Peanut, and Kelly Loeffler.

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

The Thomas County State Congress Delegates where accompanied by Thomas County 4-H Extension Agent Cindy Wynn and 4-H Program Assistant Maria Bassham.

For more information about Thomas County 4-H, contact Cindy Wynn at (229)225-4130 or cmwynn@uga.edu