MoCo 4-H’ers Compete at Junior-Senior DPA

By Lauren Stanley Montgomery Co. Agriculture & Natural Resources/4-H Youth Development Agent

4-H’ers from all over the Southeast District packed up and headed to Rock Eagle 4-H Center in Eatonton on Friday, February 9t,for District Project Achievement competition. A total of 10 Montgomery County 4-H members and 5 adult leaders attended the DPA event, where students prepared a presentation, speech, and portfolio on a topic/category of their choice, and were judged on their presentation skills and style, subject knowledge, and portfolio content.

In the junior division, comprised of 7th and 8th grade students, Jonas Carpenter and Tatum Williams competed in the Performing Arts Vocal category, Avimael Serrano and Macey Bradley in the Performing Arts Instrumental category, Karmin Johnson in Health, Morgan Connell in Wildlife, and Hartley Williamson in Workforce Preparation and Career Development. Bringing home high honors in the junior division were Karmin Johnson, who placed 1st in the Health category, and Hartley Williamson, 2nd place in the Workforce Preparation and Career Development category.

Competing in the Senior Division, which is composed of grades 9 through 12, were Alex Autry in Human Development, Max Barrow in General Recreation, and Maecon Lynn in Performing Arts Instrumental. The seniors represented Montgomery County well.

In addition to the weekend’s competition, Senior 4-H’er Alex Autry ran for Southeast District Senior Board. He campaigned throughout the weekend, gave a speech at Friday night’s assembly, and answered an on-stage question. A total of 26 4-H’ers from across the district ran for board, and we are extremely proud of Alex and his efforts!

Hartley Williamson, who was elected to junior board at last year’s DPA, helped run this weekend’s activities, make announcements during assemblies, and even provide entertainment for her fellow 4-H’ers with some skits by the senior and junior board. This event served as one of Hartley’s last events as a district junior board member. We are proud of her year of service!

Montgomery County 4-H/ANR Agent Lauren Stanley, 4-H Program Assistant Julie Waller, and adult volunteers Joyce Allen, Evelyn Carpenter, and Debbie Thigpen accompanied Montgomery County 4-H members.

Waller remarked, “District Project Achievement is about students trying new things, breaking free from their comfort zones, and learning how to become great leaders. We are so proud of our 4-H’ers and program for all of their accomplishments this weekend. We are also thankful for our volunteers, who are the backbone of our program. We wouldn’t be able to do all that we do without them. We’re already looking forward to next year!”

Stanley added, “DPA is a great way for our students to develop necessary skills that will serve them well as they finish school and move into their future careers. I am so proud of our 4-H’ers’ performance this weekend and admire that they’re already looking for ways to improve their presentations and portfolios for next year’s competition. We are so thankful for our wonderful adult leaders and volunteers who made this weekend possible.”

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 225,000 people annually through University of Georgia Cooperative Extension offices and 4-H facilities. For more information about Georgia 4-H, contact your local UGA Extension office or visit georgia4h.org.