By Faith Peppers
University of Georgia
The cream of Georgia’s 4-H crop met to celebrate and champion
their program during the 61st annual State 4-H Congress in
Atlanta July 22-24. But 48 individuals emerged as state project
competition winners.
“Many think 4-H is a program of the past,” said Roger C. “Bo”
Ryles, state 4-H program leader. “The young people here show
that it is, indeed, a program for the present and the future.”
A banquet July 24 honored state winners. At the banquet, the
Georgia Association of Extension 4-H Agents recognized Rep.
Richard Royal (D-Camilla) with the 2003 Friend of 4-H award for
his long-standing commitment and contribution to the Georgia 4-H
program.
Georgia 4-H is the youth education component of the UGA College
of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. State congress is
the culmination of a year’s work in a 4-H project. 4-H’ers
prepare portfolios of their project work, participate in
interviews about their portfolios and give oral presentations
for this statewide competition.
Here are this year’s state winners, projects and project donors,
listed by their home counties.
BANKS: Mandy Slaton, environmental science, AGL
Resources, Inc.
BARTOW: Emily Lloyd, performing arts-vocal, Six Flags
Over Georgia.
BLECKLEY: Christa DeMasie, bread, Georgia 4-H
Foundation.
BRYAN: Hannah McCoy, communications, the Georgia 4-H
Volunteer Leaders Association.
BURKE: Morgan Franks, dairy and milk science, Angela
Broder Nemeth and the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
CHARLTON: Berrie Allen, pork production, the Georgia Pork
Producers Association.
COLUMBIA: Eryc Riddle, power and energy, Chevron.
COWETA: Laura Massengill, companion animal science, Bill
and Edna Sell, in memory of Scott Sell, Monroe Veterinary
Clinic, Inc. and the Georgia 4-H Foundation; Rebecca Miiolen,
horse, the Georgia Horse Council.
CRAWFORD: Ashley Justice, festive foods for health,
Publix Super Markets Charities.
CRISP: Zack McKinney, computers, Georgia Power Company.
EARLY: Natalie Smith, human development, the Georgia
Association Extension 4-H Agents.
EFFINGHAM: John Callaway, photography, Georgia
Magazine.
EMANUEL: Kimberly Page, resource management, Georgia
Cooperative Council, Inc.
EVANS: Morgan Casteen, housing and environment, the
Georgia Manufactured Housing Association.
FLOYD: Cherilyn Humphrey, dairy foods, the Agricultural
Commodity Commission for Milk.
GORDON: Chaz Mexick, workforce preparation and career
development, Randstad North American.
GREENE: Reshumda Hull, food fare, the Georgia Development
Authority.
GWINNETT: Kim Larson, flowers, shrubs and lawns, the
Georgia Development Authority.
HART: Amber Oglesby, sports, White Water.
HEARD: Chris Nowicki, international project, Equifax,
Inc.; Scottie Rowell, performing arts – general, Six Flags Over
Georgia.
IRWIN: Carie Young, fruits, nuts and vegetables, the
Georgia 4-H Foundation.
JACKSON: Mack Prater, food safety and preservation, Bucky
Cook.
JONES: Alexandria Chambers, health, the Georgia 4-H
Foundation.
LANIER: Bryce Tolle, entomology, the Georgia Pest Control
Association and the University of Georgia Extension Entomology
Department.
MADISON: Amy Piche, veterinary science, the Georgia
Veterinary Medical Association and the Georgia Veterinary
Medical Association Auxiliary.
OCONEE: Stanton Porter, outdoor recreation, White
Water; Cole Ryles, performing arts other instrumental, Six Flags
Over Georgia; Nathan Eason, physical, biological and earth
sciences, Georgia Electric Membership Corporation.
PEACH: Nekeisha Randall, public speaking, the Georgia
Farm Credit Association.
PICKENS: Cameron Buchanan, fashion revue, the Georgia
Master 4-H Club; Kayla Dobbs, forestry and wood science,
International Paper Company; Katy Morgan, poultry and egg
science, the Georgia poultry Federation.
POLK: Andrea Tolbert, food fast and healthy, the Georgia
4-H Foundation.
PULASKI: Daniel Willcox, wildlife and marine science,
Georgia Power.
STEPHENS: Dorothy White, conservation of natural
resources, Georgia Water Wise Council.
TIFT: Melissa Lee, arts and crafts, Marian S. Fisher and
Brandie Rucks Park in honor of Jason and Hope Parris; Daniel
Tankersley, beef, Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. and the Georgia
Cattlemen’s Association; Kelly Ann Frizzell, consumer education,
Dr. Anupam Goel; Jillian Dunn, dog care and training, the
Georgia Veterinary Medical Association and the Georgia
Veterinary Medical Association Auxiliary; Bethany Gates, general
recreation, the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association, Inc.;
Susan Guo, performing arts – piano, Six Flags Over
Georgia; Patrick Cannon, target sports, the Callaway Foundation
and the family of Col. James Boddie.
WALTON: Anna Hull, safety, AGL Resources, Inc.
Amanda McCarthy, textile merchandising and interiors, the
Georgia 4-H Foundation.
WHITFIELD: Shari Taylor, sheep and meat goats, Dr. James
and Renee Williamson and the Georgia 4-H Foundation.
