Local Students Attend SE 4-H Project Achievement

4-H: The Game Worth Playing was the theme for this year’s Southeast District 4-H Project Achievement held recently at Rock Eagle 4-H Center. Twenty- eight middle and high school students from Vidalia and Toombs County schools joined over 300 others from across Southeast Georgia. The youth spent a weekend of completion, participating in 4-H District Officer elections and recreation.

The project competition had two parts. First, members were scored on a project portfolio detailing activities completed during the 2021 calendar year. Second, members presented a demonstration in their project area. The scores from the two segments were combined for the total score. Fifteen 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 seven members receive 1st place and earn a trip to State 4-H Congress. Members advancing to state are Brittney Bryant (Food for Fitness), Tami Gonzalez (Financial Planning and Consumer Economics), Grace Holt (Communications), Bailey Hutchins (Physical, Biological, and Earth Science), Landon McDonald (Flowers, Shrubs and Lawn), Riya Patel (Textiles, Merchandising and Interiors), and Mary Laura Tippett (Workforce Preparation). Receiving 2nd place was Hailey Morgan in the Fruits, Vegetables and Nuts project. Makayla Sapp (Companion Animals) placed third. Receiving honorable mention were Amari Atkins (Performing Arts – Dance), Lalane Angeles (Performing Arts – Vocal), Reagan Burton (Dairy Foods), Braylie Davis (Human Development), DeArika Jackson (Workforce Preparation), and AnnaBeth Martin (Workforce Preparation).

In the Junior Division, thirteen members participated. First place participants included Hailey Burton (Health), Auston Thompson (Flowers, Shrubs, and Lawn), and Tiera Shaw (Workforce Preparation). Receiving 2nd place were Alexa Acosta (International), Haylee Doyle (Performing Arts – Vocal), Ansleigh Edwards (Physical, Biological & Earth Science), and Abby White (Crafts). Receiving 3rd place were Daniel Cerrillo (General Recreation), Gregory Huston (Performing Arts – Vocal), Kingston Ryals (History), and Kandise Tootle (Outdoor Recreation).

Toombs County was awarded 3rd place for most participants at the competition.

Extension staff members accompanying the group included Cheryl Poppell, 4-H Coordinator; Riley Wimberly, 4-H Educator; and Bradley Moye, 4-H AmeriCorps Member. Madison Britt, Carol Hester, 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/.

2022 DPA PARTICIPANTS — (L to R): First Row: Bailey Hutchins, Braylie Davis, Makayla Sapp, Kandise Tootle, Deanna Gonzalez, Ansleigh Edwards, Tierra Shaw, Second row: Mary Laura Tippett, AnnaBeth Martin, Riya Patel, Alexa Acosta, Grace Holt, Tami Gonzalez, Haylee Doyle, Abby White Mariana Ramirez, Third row: Hailey Burton, Reagan Burton, Amari Atkins, Dearika Jackson, Brittney Bryant, LaLane Angeles, Hailey Morgan, Back Row: Daniel Cerrillo, Auston Thompson, Landon McDonald, Greggory Huston and Kingston Ryals.

Brittney Bryant (L) named 2022-23 SE District Sr. Board Vice President shown here with outgoing VP Jesse Tyre of Bacon County.

2022 STATE CONGRESS DELEGATES — (L to R): Front row: Bailey Hutchins, Riya Patel, Grace Holt, Tami Gonzalez, MaryLaura Tippett, Back row: Brittney Bryant and Landon McDonald.

Kandise Tootle (L) named 2022-23 SE District Jr. Board Vice President shown here with outgoing VP Addie Deal of Bacon County.