Big Wins, Bigger Growth at Public Speaking Contest

What do future scientists, performers, leaders, and entrepreneurs have in common? They all need to know how to do public speaking! 22 of Forsyth County’s future leaders traveled to Rock Eagle 4-H Center March 13-15, 2026, to compete against other students from all over Northwest Georgia to showcase their talents, share their passions, and compete in an event that is shaping the next generation of confident, capable young leaders. For Forsyth County 4-H, this year’s competition was not just another event. This year’s District Project Achievement (DPA) was a record-breaking moment of growth, achievement, and opportunity.

Project Achievement is widely recognized as one of Georgia 4-H’s premier leadership programs because it combines academic skill-building with real-world application. Participants not only improve their public speaking abilities but also develop critical thinking, time management, and organizational skills. These competencies align closely with workforce readiness expectations and help prepare youth to be successful in college and beyond.

The impact of Project Achievement extends far beyond the competition itself. Students often report increased confidence, stronger communication skills, and a greater sense of independence. Many alumni credit their experiences in 4-H Project Achievement as a defining factor in their personal and professional development.

Project Achievement challenges students to develop both written and verbal communication skills. To enter, participants in 7^th-12^th grade create a two-page Portfolio that highlights their work in a specific project area, along with leadership activities, community service, and other achievements from the past year. This process mirrors real-world resume building and helps students reflect on their growth while preparing for future academic and career opportunities.

After submitting their Portfolios in early January, students prepare and deliver a presentation on their chosen topic. With more than 50 categories available, ranging from environmental science to performing arts, participants are encouraged to find their spark and build expertise in a subject they are passionate about.

This year marked a significant milestone for the local 4-H program. The organization brought its largest delegation of Junior and Senior 4-H’ers to the district competition since 2018, demonstrating substantial growth and renewed engagement in Project Achievement programming. Even more notably, Forsyth County celebrated its highest number of first-place and second-place sweepstakes winners advancing to the statewide competition since 2014, reflecting both the dedication of the students and the strength of the local program.

Presentations were evaluated by a panel of judges with expertise in each project area. For 7th and 8th grade participants, the competition concluded at the district level.

Forsyth County participants included:

7^th Grade Contestants:

• Adhya Patel, Crafts, 2^nd place
• Shaurya Patel, Engineering and Mechanics, 2^nd place
• Rahini Prasad, Arts, 3^rd place

8th Grade Contestants:

• Sophia Andrews, Sports-Individual, 3^rd place
• Elise Cureton, Human Development, 4^th place
• Reyansh Patel, Sports-Team, 4^th place
• Gururaj Potulwar, Health, 2^nd place
• Laila Reneau, Performing Arts-Piano, 1^st place

High School Contestants:

• Tallulah Bates, Forestry and Wood Science, 1^st place
• Clara Cureton, Wildlife and Marine Science, 7^th place
• Addie Davis, Performing Arts-Vocal, 12^th place
• Aakarsha Gangaraju, Sports, 9^th place
• Avaani Joshi, Public Speaking, 1^st place
• Rathna Malapati, Health, 4^th place
• Neeva Patel, Arts, 1^st place
• Umesh Putta, Sports, 11^th place
• Alessandra Reneau, Engineering and Mechanics, 1^st place
• Lucas Rymer, Food for Health and Sport, 4^th place
• Samdeesh Thukral, Computer Information Technology, 3^rd place
• Elin Turner, Health, 7^th place
• Pal Vaghani, Health, 2^nd place, Sweepstakes Winner
• Lily Wright, Environmental Science, 1^st place

These achievements represent countless hours of preparation, practice, and commitment to excellence. In addition to competitive success, students also had opportunities to engage in leadership workshops, connect with peers from across the district, and experience the broader 4-H community.

Tallulah Bates, Avaani Joshi, Neeva Patel, Alessandra Reneau, Pal Vaghani, and Lily Wright will represent Forsyth County and Northwest District at the State Project Achievement contest this July in Atlanta.

A key factor in this year’s success was the financial support that ensured every interested student could participate. All Forsyth County 4-H’ers were able to attend the district event thanks to the generosity of The Chantal and Tommy Bagwell Foundation Fund, administered through the North Georgia Community Foundation and an anonymous community donor. Thanks to their support, there were no financial barriers for families and allowed students to fully engage in the experience, regardless of their circumstances.

As the 2026 district competition concludes, students are already looking ahead to the next leg of their public speaking journey. Those advancing to State Congress will continue refining their presentations and begin practicing their interview skills over the next several months.

Forsyth County Extension/4-H staff are forever grateful to their community partners and supporters who make these opportunities possible for local students. Continued investment in youth development programming ensures that young learners have access to experiences that foster growth, leadership, and lifelong skills.

For more information about Forsyth County 4-H and how to get involved in Project Achievement, contact the Forsyth County Extension Office at 770-887-2418 or email forsythcounty4h@uga.edu.