Toombs 4-Hers Attend SE District Project Achievement
Courtesy of 4H Toombs County
Southeast’s Got Talent was the theme for this year’s Southeast District 4-H Project Achievement held February 9-11 at Rock Eagle 4-H Center. Twenty-seven middle and high school students from Toombs County joined over 400 others from across Southeast Georgia. The youth spent a weekend of competition and participating in 4-H District Officer elections and recreation.
The project competition had two parts. First, members were scored on a project portfolio detailing activity completed during the 2023 calendar year. Second, members presented a demonstration in their project area. The scores from the two segments were combined for the total score. Thirteen Toombs County senior members in grades 9 – 12 attended this year’s competition for a chance to represent the Southeast District at State 4-H Congress in July. Toombs County had a record high nine members who advanced to State Congress as project or sweepstakes winners. Members advancing to state are Brittney Bryant (Food for Fitness), Daniel Cerrillo, Jr. (Robotics), Tami Gonzales (Health), Giana Hamlin (Performing Arts – Vocal), Grace Holt (Physical, Biological, and Earth Science), Gregory Huston (General Recreation), Landon McDonald (Flowers, Shrubs and Lawns), Kingston Ryals (Workforce Preparation) and Tiera Shaw (Safety). Receiving third place were Haylee Doyle (Dog Care) and Ansleigh Edwards (Food Safety). DeArika Jackson (General Recreation) and Kandise Tootle (Photography) received Honorable Mention.
In the Junior Division, fourteen members participated. First place participants included Auston Edwards (Dog Care), Anna Lynn Hutcheson (Horse) and Reba Salter (Target Sports) Receiving second place were Logan Monds (Foods Lab: Pizza), Mileni Nahuaca (Performing Arts – Vocal), MacKenzie De-Loach (Workforce Preparation). Members placing third included Hunter Joiner (Food for Health & Sport), Lucia Florez (Human Development). Receiving 4th were Aracelie Florez (Flowers, Shrubs, & Lawns) and Brielle Singleton (Performing Arts – Vocal) and Caylee Oliver (International). Marcel McManus (Performing Arts – Other Instrumental) received honorable mention.
Senior 4-H Member Kingston Ryals represented Toombs County as the Southeast District Senior Board Vice President. Kingston assisted with planning the event and presided at various assemblies. Toombs County had three Junior 4-Hers and four Senior 4-Hers run for a position on the 2024-25 Southeast District Senior Board of Directors. Of the seven 4-Hers who ran for District Board, Jr. 4-H’ers Hunter Joiner and Claire Beasley were elected to the 2024-25 Junior Board of Directors as a Board Members. Senior Gregory Huston was elected as Senior Board Vice President and Giana Hamlin was elected as elected to the 2024-25 Senior Board of Directors as a Board Member.
They would also like to recognize Daniel Cerrillo, Jr., Anna Lynn Hutcheson and Tiera Shaw for campaigning this past weekend as well.
Graduating seniors were presented with graduation cords. Members from Toombs County receiving cords were Brittney Bryant, Tami Gonzalez, Grace Holt and Landon McDonald. Toombs County was awarded 2nd place for most participants at the competition and second place for highest percentage of Senior Winners.
Extension staff members accompanying the group included Cheryl Poppell, 4-H Coordinator; Riley Wimberly, 4-H Educator; and Carol Hester, 4-H AmeriCorps Member. MaryLaura Tippett and Shirley Earls also attended as volunteer leaders.
For more information about 4-H in Toombs County, contact the local office at 912- 526-3101 or visit Toombs County Extension online at http:// www.ugaextension. com/ toombs/.
JUNIOR DPA PARTICIPANTS — (L to R): Front Row: Marcel McManus, Jr. and MacKenzie Deloach, Second Row: Lucia Florez, Third Row: Claire Beasley and AnnaLynn Hutcheson, Fourth Row: Araceli Florez and Brielle Singleton, Fifth Row: Caylee Oliver and Mileni Nahuaca, Sixth Row: Baylei McCoy and Hunter Joiner, and Back Row: Logan Monds and Auston Edwards.
ACCEPTING THE AWARDS — Southeast District Project Achievement Awards of Excellence were presented to Toombs County for Highest Participation (2nd place) and Highest Percent of Senior Winners (2nd place). Toombs County Extension Team Members Carol Hester, Riley Wimberly and Cheryl Poppell accept the award from Southeast District Senior Board Member Yasmin Rios.
