Heather Haines, 4-H Agent, UGA Extension Forsyth County
Each year, students in 7th through 12th grade take part in a public speaking contest called Junior/Senior Project Achievement. To enter, they create a two-page Portfolio highlighting their work in a specific area, leadership activities, community service, and other achievements from the past year. This helps students gain valuable experience in writing resumes and prepares them for future careers. Public speaking is an important skill that can help in many jobs, from giving presentations to leading meetings.
After submitting their Portfolios, students prepare and present a speech on their chosen topic. With more than 50 categories to choose from, participants can speak on subjects that interest them. Practicing public speaking builds confidence and helps students improve their communication skills. Whether through drama clubs, debates, or practicing at home, regular speaking practice is key to success.
Presentations are judged by experts in the field. For 7th and 8th graders, the competition ends at the district level. However, high school students who place first in their category move on to State Congress. In 2024, 229 Junior 4-H’ers and 228 Senior 4-H’ers from the Northwest District competed in Project Achievement.
This year’s participants from Forsyth County included:
- Sophia Andrews, (Sports- Individual, 2nd place)
- Tallulah Bates (Forestry and Wood Science, 2nd place)
- Clara Cureton (Companion Animal Science, 2nd place)
- Addie Davis (Performing Arts-Vocal, 3rd place)
- Aakarsha Gangaraju (Sports-Team, 3rd place)
- Mithun Gopinath (Food for Health and Sport)
- Avanni Joshi (Public Speaking, 3rd place)
- Navin Majji (Computer Information Technology, 3rd place)
- Navya Majji (Human Development)
- Rathna Malapati (Health)
- Neeva Patel (Arts, 1st place)
- Alessandra Reneau (Performing Arts—Piano, 1st place)
- Laila Reneau (Sports-Team)
- Lucas Rymer (Food for Health and Sport)
- Pal Vaghani (Environmental Science)
- Lily Wright (Environmental Science, 2nd place)
Alessandra Reneau and Neeva Patel will represent Forsyth County at State Congress this summer after placing first in their categories.
State Congress is a four-day event in Atlanta where top 4-H’ers from across Georgia compete for Master Status by winning first place in their project area. Additionally, Lily Wright won the Northwest District Water Wise Scholarship. Sponsored by the Georgia Water Council, this $500 college scholarship is awarded based on project work related to water conservation. Wright’s portfolio showcased her leadership in the Save Our Shores (S.O.S.) project as State President of the Georgia State Society Children of the American Revolution.
Navya Majji was recognized at the Senior Banquet on Saturday night and received her 4-H graduation cords from State 4-H Leader Melanie Biersmith.
Students are already preparing for the 2025 competition! If your child wants to practice public speaking, contact Heather Haines at heather.haines@uga.edu to get started on their Portfolio today.
The Forsyth County Extension/4-H staff thanks the United Way of Forsyth County for their support, which ensures that 4-H Project Achievement is free for all local youth.