Effingham County 4-H was represented by 17 members at the Southeast District Project Achievement competition at Rock Eagle 4-H Center in Eatonton, including five who qualified for the state competition.
Senior 4-H members who place first in their project area advance beyond the district competition to State 4-H Congress in Atlanta in July. Qualifying for state from Effingham were Logan McDonald, Mallory Morgan, Rose Moss, Sophie Usher and Rebecca Velasquez.
“These five 4-H’ers have dedicated many hours of hard work into their project and are well deserving of this honor to compete at the state level,” said Effingham 4-H Agent Abby Smith.
Project Achievement teaches self-confidence and social, speaking, interview and record keeping skills. To compete, seventh-12th grade 4-H members pick a project area of interest to them, then keep a yearly record of project work and prepare a 10-12 minute presentation.
“DPA is a fun-filled weekend at the largest 4-H center in the world, Rock Eagle,” Smith said. “Not only do participants have the opportunity to present their demonstrations, they also can run for a leadership position as a Southeast District board member, participate in service projects, meet friends from all over the Southeast District and have tons of fun.”
Effingham’s 17 students represented multiple project areas in the District Project Achievement competition. The Senior 4-H (ninth-12th grades) participants were: Marci Delcampo, Chance Denney, Grace Kieffer, Logan McDonald, Noah McDonald, Mallory Morgan, Rose Moss, Alex Parrish, Sheridan Strickland, Brianna Tredway, Sophie Usher, Hannah Weitman and Rebecca Velasquez. Junior (seventh-eighth grades) participants were: Kham Bell, Abigail Henry, Gabe Palmberg and Bailee Wilson.
Other highlights of the trip included a special banquet held in honor of seniors Hannah Weitman and Sophie Usher, who were recognized for their 4-H accomplishments by State 4-H Director Arch Smith, as well as an inspiring Sunday service in the Rock Eagle Chapel led by Effingham County 4-H’ers.
For more information about Effingham County 4-H programs, call 754-8040.
