Habersham County 4-Hers win big at district event

Habersham County 4-H attended Junior and Senior Northeast District Project Achievement last week. District Project Achievement (DPA) empowers young people with skills for a lifetime.

Students choose a project area of interest, research the topic and write and present a presentation. Through this activity, 4-Hers develop leadership, creativity, public speaking, record keeping and other skills. The March contest comprised 374 Junior 4-Hers (6th – 8th grades) and Senior 4-Hers (9th-12th grades).

Scores for the competition combine a year-long portfolio or resume and an 8-12 minute speech. Four separate judges review portfolios and score speeches to separately create a combined score.

“We are so proud of each one of the students who came to compete,” said Habersham County 4-H Program Assistant Renee Smagur. “Public speaking is one of the largest fears in America, especially among adults, so for these kids to have conquered that at such a young age speaks volumes.

“Each student is a champion just for following through with the competition,” Smagur said. “I am truly impressed by each of them.”

Luke Nunnally finished his year as the Junior Board Northeast District Vice President. Lilly Kate Farrar was elected by her peers to the 2023-2024 Northeast District Senior Board of Directors. The Northeast boards are an opportunity for students to serve as leaders to all 40 counties that make up the Northeast 4-H district.

Autumn Samsel was awarded 1st place for an Outstanding Community Service Project led by a 4-Her for her plant sale, which benefitted Sharing and Caring.

Volunteers were also awarded for their work with the program. Volunteers recognized were: Sarah Bianchi, Chris Bianchi, Andrea Dailey, Wendell Dailey, Tleshia Farrar, Andrea Harper, Dorothy Kensy, Amanda Montford, Lacy Nunally, Denise Samsel, Jeff Samsel, Richard Smagur and Maggie Smagur. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer with Habersham County 4-H, please email raider@uga.edu.

Habersham County 4-H is a youth development organization and contributing members of society. This mission is accomplished, through “hands on” learning to assist youth in acquiring knowledge, developing life skills, and forming attitudes that will enable them to become self-directing, productive experiences, focused on agricultural and environmental issues, agriculture awareness, leadership, communication skills, foods and nutrition, health, energy conservation and citizenship.

For more information on upcoming events with Habersham County 4-H, find them on Facebook or visit https://extension.uga.edu/county-offices/habersham/4-h-youth-development.html.

Competitors from Habersham County included:

Juniors

Isaiah Dailey – 3rd place in History;

Kristina Jackson – 3rd place in Performing Arts General

Luke Nunnally – 1st place in Entomology;

Eli Samsel – 1st place in Crafts;

Grace Stewart – Honorable Mention in History;

Tyner Wood – 1st place in General Recreation.

Seniors

Amelia Boggs – 2nd place in Dairy and Meat Science;

George Wilder Boggs – 2nd place in Swine;

Elisha Dailey – Honorable Mention in History;

Lilly Kate Farrar – 3rd place in General Recreation;

Autumn Samsel – 3rd place in Public Speaking.