Three hundred seventy-two participants of 7-12 grade youth from 39 counties gathered at Rock Eagle 4-H Center in Eatonton, GA for the Southeast District Project Achievement (DPA) on February 3rd-5th, 2023. Pierce County 4-H was represented by 22 youth in 22 different project areas.
Those participating in DPA are able to refine their leadership, research, and public speaking skills while competing to continue to the state level. In addition to the soft skills developed, youth are able to gain a deep understanding about their selected project area.
Over 100 individual project areas are available for youth to research and present to a panel of experts in the field. In addition to their oral presentation, a portfolio showcases their activities throughout the year that is also scored. Students work all year developing their portfolios and perfecting their presentations for competition. Pierce County 4-H values hard work, dedication and conquering the fear of public speaking. This competition allows students to accomplish exactly that.
Among the seventh and eighth graders, or junior competitors, 108 winners will be selected from each project area within each of the four districts in Georgia. Among the ninth through 12th graders, or senior competitors, over 250 winners will continue onto the state level. One winner from each of the 50 project areas will receive Master 4-H’er status at Georgia 4-H State Congress in Atlanta, GA this summer. From Pierce County, twelve of the twenty-two youth were awarded first, second or third place medals. Please see below for a detailed list of Pierce County Participants.
Among the winners at Rock Eagle, was Mrs. Suzanne Clark, winner of the Volunteer of the Year award. Selfless Servant, is what describes Suzanne Clark, Pierce County 4-H Volunteer. She began her 4-H journey as a 5th grade child and has been able to spread her love of 4-H to her own children and Pierce County students as a Pierce County 4-H volunteer. Mrs. Suzanne began as a 4-H volunteer in 2019 when her son joined the Pierce County 4-H BB Team and competed in Cloverleaf DPA. She began selflessly devoting her time to assisting in the completion of DPA projects, conducting community service projects, leading summer activities, fundraisers, and other 4-H activities. No matter what, Mrs. Suzanne is always there to fill in the gaps and lead where is needed. She successfully and safely took 12 Junior campers to Jekyll 4-H Center for a week of camp as an adult leader by herself. She is now known as the chicken lady and Poultry Judging Coach of the first ever Pierce County Poultry Judging Team. The first poultry judging team consisted of 11 participants and they brought home 3rd place. As Billie Ann King 4-H Agent was out on maternity leave, Mrs. Suzanne stepped in and helped take a heavy load off of Program Assistant Carrie Carter by leading several 4-H club meetings, and a 4-H Christmas Craft night with over 60 students attending. Mrs. Suzanne continues to selflessly serve every student of Pierce County 4-H. We consider Mrs. Suzanne as an asset to Pierce County 4-H programming.
Pierce County 4-H received MOST OUTSTANDING COUNTY EVENT – AG DAY award.
Pierce County 4-H Ag Day is an event that is held once a year that provides every 4th & 5th grade student in Pierce County the opportunity to hear from professionals in several agricultural related fields such as forestry, cotton, soybeans, peanuts, blueberries, beef cattle, turpentine, pecans, poultry, natural resources, farm equipment and even experience farm animals. Pierce County 4-H incorporated leadership experience with approximately
15 FFA & 4-H Teen Leaders as they assisted in guiding each group of 4th & 5th grade students to each station throughout the day. Over 550 4th & 5th grade students visited each of the 12 booths for 5-10 minutes each as they received engaging, hands-on experience with each agricultural professional and commodity. By providing an engaging and hands on experience with agriculture to each 4th & 5th grader in the county, our goal is to assist in youth finding their spark and gaining knowledge in agriculture.
The 2022 Pierce County Ag Day resulted in 15 Pierce County stakeholders volunteering their time and skills to provide knowledge and their expertise in agriculture to over 550 Pierce County youth. 4-H students were surveyed following Ag Day and were asked several questions regarding their experience with Ag Day. One student stated “Agriculture is important because without agriculture we would not have any fresh food to eat.” 100% of the survey participants stated that they learned something new about agriculture during Ag Day and provided examples of what they learned. Ag Day resulted in over 550 students receiving hands on experience from experts in the field of agriculture. This in which resulted in an increase in knowledge of agriculture as well as an increased awareness of agriculture. Pierce County 4-H will continue to provide Ag Day to each 4th & 5th grade student of Pierce County to encourage students to evaluate the importance of agriculture and even seek a career in the agricultural industry.
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 242,000 people annually through the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension offices and 4-H facilities. For more information, visit georgia4h.org or contact your local Pierce County Extension office at 912-449-2034.
JUNIOR 4-H’ERS (7th-8th Grade): ADDISON FOLETTE – 1st place - Arts, PEYTON D’AURIO – 1st place -Communications, ROY CARTER – 1st place - Computer Information Technology, AVA ROZIER – 4th place – Dog Care and Training, LYLA MCCULLERS – 2nd place – Entomology, KAYLEN WALLEY – 2nd place – Health, ELLA JACOBS – 3rd place – Health, KATILYN HENDERSON - 4th place – History, HAYDEN ISLER – 2nd place – Public Speaking, CALI SELLERS – 1st place – Photography and Videography, DAMIAN GOMEZ – 4th place – Sports Individual and JOSELYN BARRERA – 1st place – Veterinary Science.
SENIOR 4-H’ERS (9th-12th Grade): MELVIN SALLET – 8th place – General Recreation, WARNER FOLETTE – 4th place – Health, EMILEE ROBINS – 6th place – Performing Arts – Dance, PAIGE FOLETTE – 3rd place – Performing Arts – Piano, KALEY ROBINS – 8th place – Performing Arts – Vocal, KALEY BARTOLOTTA – 4th place – Photography and Videography, DEAN DAVIS – 2nd place – Robotics, JACOB CLARK - 3rd place – Wildlife and Marine Science, ABBY HICKS – 6th place – Workforce Preparation and Career Development, BRILEY HARRIS – 10th place – Workforce Preparation and Career Development
