State Leader of Georgia 4-H Arch Smith shared his wisdom with local 4-H’ers during the annual 4-H Award banquet. 4-H’ers were recognized for their efforts in a number of programs including leadership, Project Achievement, Consumer Judging, Project  S.A.F.E (Shooting Sports Education Program)

Attending the banquet and recognized were: County Extension Staff — Jan Hall, County Extension Agent, 4-H; Bill Tyson, Agriculture Agent and County Extension Coordinator; Connie Heidt, Certified Extension Program Assistant, 4-H; Jessica Dasher, 4-H Program Assistant; Becky Smith, County Extension Office Manager

Senior 4-H’ers in attendance were: Rachel Cooper, Alexis Floyd, Natalyn Harris, Jennifer Kavanaugh, Andrew Kessler, Danielle Paulk, Kieffer Shearouse, Dalton Shelton, Amanda Starling, Natalie Starling and John Whitten. Others were also recognized.

Junior 4-Hers in attendance were: Breanna Brisendine, Katie Cope,  Trent Dickerson, Benjamin Gerdman, Victoria Glidden, Sara Hampton, Benjamin Heller, Kathryn Kelly, Rylee Kirk, Logan McDonald, Samantha McDuffie, Mikayla Neal, Alex Parrish, Ashley Sanders,  Walker Sommers and Hannah Winston,  

Graduating Seniors:

Jennifer Kavanaugh, a seven-year member of 4-H and Certified Georgia 4-H Teen Leader, was named recipient of the 4-H Educational Scholarship sponsored by the Clyo Homemakers, seven year member of 4-H, fourth place district winner in the Performing Arts Instrumental Project.  Jennifer was also recognized for her years of service learning contributions and for her achievements in the Cotton Boll and Consumer Judging project.

Andrew Kessler, a seven-year member of 4-H was recognized for his advancement to Georgia 4-H State Congress last summer receiving fourth place in the state in the Plant and Soil Sciences Project. Kessler also was recognized for his work in agriculture, years of service at the Holiday Classic Fundraiser and for being the top ticket seller for all four years of high school as well as his leadership in the Effingham Cloverleaf Officer Training program.

Amanda Starling, a seven year member of 4-H and a graduating senior was named a 2011 Summer Camp Counselor for Jekyll Island 4-H Center as well as one of only 31 state 4-H Achievement Scholarship Winners receiving the $500 Kitzinger Scholarship and was one of two local $500 Richard C. Kessler Leadership Scholarship recipients.  She also was recognized as the current Georgia 4-H State Vice President and local Senior 4-H Club president, two-year band member of Georgia 4-H Clovers and Company, top scorer in the Cotton Boll and Consumer Judging Public Service Announcement, State Congress 2010 competitor representing Southeast District in the Performing Arts General Project, 2011 district winner in the same project and will represent S.E. district again this summer. Additionally, Starling was also recently named one of two Southeast district winners who will advance to state competition in the Leadership in Action competition for her “Living Books” project.

Hillary Usher, a member of 4-H for seven years, was named a Richard C. Kessler Leadership Scholarship recipient. Usher was also recognized for her first place win in Southeast District Senior Project Achievement and will advance to State Congress 2010 competitor representing Southeast District in the Performing Arts Vocal Project  She is a current cast member of Clovers and Company, the premier performing arts company for Georgia 4- H. Additionally, Usher was recognized as a past competitor on the Cotton Boll and Consumer Judging Event receiving district honors advancing with the state competition team, as well as her service to the local 4-H program as a teen leader and event volunteer.

Other signficant awards

Dasher Insurance Agency District Project Achievement Dress Rehearsal Scholarship Winners were presented by local business leader and sponsor of the scholarship, Billy Dasher. In the senior division, receiving first place and a $100 scholarship was Danielle Paulk in Performing Arts Piano; second place and a $75 scholarship was Natalyn Harris in Food Fare; and in third place receiving a $50 scholarship was Jennifer Kavanaugh in Performing Arts Other Instrumental. In the junior division receiving first place and a $75 scholarship was Rylee Kirk in Human Development; in second place receiving a $50 scholarship was Hannah Winston in Power and Energy; and in third place receiving a $25 scholarship was Breanna Brisendine in Junior Food Fare.

The 2010 Georgia Youth Summit Delegation consisting of youth advisor Dr Kendra Brophy and youth delegates: Alexis Floyd, Natalie Starling, Kieffer Shearouse and John Whitten were named Youth Summit Grant recipients to assist with their project toward combating childhood obesity.

Other Project Achievement Competitors advancing to the 2011 Georgia 4-H State Congress with Starling and Usher this summer are Danielle Paulk in the Performing Arts Piano Project and Natalie Starling in the Public Speaking Project. Paulk also was recognized for achieving second place in the state in the 2010 Georgia 4-H State Congress.

Additional Senior and Junior 4-H Project Achievement Competitors recognized were Natalyn Harris received the highest and near perfect presentation score in the Senior Food Fare Project, Brianna Brisendine – second place in the Junior Food Fare Project, Sara Hampton – Junior Performing Arts Instrumental, Ben Heller - first place in the Jonior Environmental Sciences Project, Logan McDonald – first place in the Junior Horse Project, Alex Parrish -first in the Junior Outdoor Recreation Project, and Hannah Winston - first place in the Power and Energy Project.

Natalie Starling was recognized for her leadership roles serving on the Southeast Senior 4-H Board of Directors as well as Effingham County 4-H Senior Board of Directors. Four other Effingham County Senior 4-H Board of Directors serving alongside Natalie Starling were Natalyn Harris, Rachel Cooper and Amanda Starling (president). Being recognized for leadership on the Effingham County Junior 4-H Board of Directors were Hannah Winston (president) and board members Ben Heller, Kat Kelly, Rylee Kirk and Bryson Arnsdorff.

Recognized but unable to be present to receive their awards were: Hillary Usher (singing in Washington, D.C.), Lauren Thompson (competing in a horse show).

Volunteer coaches recognized:

Cotton Boll and Consumer Judging Coaches: Shari Cooper and Johnna Bussell; on hand to accept the award was Cooper.
Project S.A.F.E. Certified Coaches in the Modified Trap Division: Roy Calloway, Wayne and Penny Edwards, Wade Floyd, Gary Neidlinger, and Bobby and Cassy Tippins; on hand to receive award was Floyd

Georgia Youth Summit Advisor: Dr. Kendra Brophy

A texting awareness sign designed by the 2008 Georgia youth Summit Delegation was presented to Arch Smith to be placed at Rock Eagle 4-H Center.

The scholarship quilt offered by the Clyo homemakers was won by Erika Burns.

A special presentation was made to the Kessler Family in honor of the late Rebecca Kessler, Master 4-H’er. A memorial brick will be placed at Legacy Plaza located at Rock Eagle in her honor.

Entertainment was provided by Amanda Starling, Jennifer Kavanaugh and Danielle Paulk.