Each summer, Georgia’s top 4-H members gather for one of the organization’s most prestigious events: State 4-H Congress. This year, Forsyth County 4-H was proud to have an outstanding delegation represent our community as they joined high school 4-H members from across the state for four days in Atlanta.
State 4-H Congress is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication to student’s project areas. To earn a spot at Congress, students must place first at District Project Achievement or earn a sweepstakes spot, where they write a portfolio highlighting their accomplishments, leadership experiences, community service, and project work. Then, they create an oral presentation to highlight what they have learned and what they are most passionate about within their chosen area. The highest scoring competitors advance to State Congress to compete against students from across the state who have also placed first in their district. When students arrive in Atlanta, their hope is to achieve Master 4-H status, the organization’s highest honor.
At State Congress, participants complete formal interviews with judges and deliver polished presentations demonstrating the knowledge and skills they have developed through years of involvement in their chosen project areas. These competitions reward much more than public speaking. Students are evaluated on their leadership skills, citizenship, and communication.
This year, Forsyth County was represented by Tallulah Bates, Neeva Patel, Alessandra Reneau, Pal Vaghani, and Lily Wright. Bates competed in the Forestry and Wood Science category where she shared how 4-H Forestry Judging prepares students for future careers in the Forestry industry. Patel competed in the Arts and Crafts project and spoke on the ethics of using generative AI to create artwork. Reneau chose to be in the Engineering and Mechanics project where she shared with the judges about how she has been preparing for a future career as an engineer. Vaghani participated in the Health project where she taught her audience about a portable dialysis machine that she created with a team of students as part of her HOSA project at school. Finally, Wright opted to compete in the Environmental Science project where she shared everything she has learned about water pollution in the State of Georgia and how she has helped combat the problem through her Save Our Shores (S.O.S.) project. Wright and Patel brought home second place ribbons and Bates and Reneau placed third in their project areas.
While competition is an important part of State Congress, the event offers much more than contests. Throughout the week, delegates network with fellow 4-H members from across Georgia, meet state leaders, and celebrate the accomplishments of young people who are making a difference in their schools and communities.
Programs like State 4-H Congress help young people build skills that extend far beyond the competition stage. Participants strengthen their confidence, improve their communication skills, learn to think critically, and develop leadership abilities that will benefit them throughout college, careers, and their communities. These experiences prepare young people to become engaged citizens who are ready to make a positive impact wherever life takes them.
Forsyth County 4-H is incredibly proud of each student who represented our county at State Congress. Their commitment to learning, leadership, and service reflects the very best of what 4-H has to offer.
As another successful State 4-H Congress and 4-H Program Year comes to a close, we congratulate all our participants and thank the families, volunteers, and supporters who encourage these young people throughout their 4-H journey. Their investment in youth leadership continues to shape the next generation of community leaders.
Forsyth County 4-H offers leadership, STEM, agriculture, healthy living, outdoor education, and civic engagement opportunities for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. To learn more about local programs or how to get involved, contact the Forsyth County Extension Office at 770-887-2418 or send an email to forsythcounty4h@uga.edu. In Forsyth County, 4-H is supported by The University of Georgia, Forsyth County Board of Commissioners, Forsyth County Board of Education, and generous community donors.
