| Dates at a Glance Friday, May 28, at 12:00 PM: Submissions close for Dean’s Awards The Dean’s Awards project in 4-H Enrollment closes, and all applicants must be entered with their portfolios uploaded into Enrollment. Friday, June 11: Announcement of finalists Five finalists will be selected from each Dean’s Award project area, based on portfolio scores. The finalists will proceed to online interviews Friday, June 25: Interviews for finalists held virtually via Zooom |
Overview
One of the highest awards Georgia 4-H Members can earn is the 4-H Dean’s Award. The Dean’s Awards were established to encourage participation and achievement by 4-H youth in areas fundamental to the mission of 4-H, the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, and the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. They also recognize youth who have participated in and excelled at a broad spectrum of activities and experiences over a sustained period of time. The Awards also aim to improve participants’ resume-preparation and interviewing skills. Dean’s Awards are offered in six major project areas: Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Civic Engagement, Communications and the Arts, Family and Consumer Sciences, Leadership, and STEM. Competition participants will submit a cumulative portfolio that spans their entire 4-H career for judges to score. In each of the Dean’s Awards’ six project areas, individuals with the five highest portfolio scores will be selected as finalists and asked to participate in interviews.
Eligibility
- Participant must be an active ninth, tenth, eleventh, or twelfth grade 4-H’er during the current year.
- No previous winner in a Dean’s Award project is eligible to compete in any of the six Dean’s Awards areas. Previous state winners in other projects and events of 4-H are eligible for competition in the Dean’s Awards projects.
- Each county may submit as many applicants and entries in the Dean’s Awards projects competition as they wish.
- A 4-H’er is eligible to enter only one project area of Dean’s Awards competition in one year.
Project Areas
An award will be presented in each of these six areas:
- Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
- Civic Engagement
- William “Bill” Edwards 4-H Dean’s Award for Communications and the Arts
- Family and Consumer Sciences
- James Harris 4-H Dean’s Award for Leadership
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) – NEW THIS YEAR!
Awards & Recognition
First Place winners in each category will receive:
- Master 4-H’er Status
- A $500 scholarship
- Recognition during 4-H Day at the Capitol
First, second, and third place in each area will receive a medallion to commemorate their achievement.
Portfolio Requirements
A cumulative (entire 4-H career) portfolio in one of the six project areas listed above. The portfolio may be handwritten or typed in blank ink. The original work must be done by the 4-H member.
- Portfolio should contain the Dean’s Awards Cover Sheet, a one-page cover letter, two pages of accomplishments, two pages of supporting material, and two letters of reference. The Dean’s Awards Cover Sheet must be printed, properly signed, and included as the first page of the portfolio. All pages should contain information on one side only of 8.5 x 11-inch paper. The back side of all pages must be blank. Font size should be no smaller than 10 points throughout the portfolio. The completed portfolio should be uploaded as a single PDF file.
- The cover letter and two accomplishment pages should maintain a minimum of one-half-inch margins on all four sides.
- Paper should be white with black ink or type. Color ink is not permitted.
- No artwork, pictures, or clip art are allowed on these pages.
- Computer generated bullets may be used to highlight information.
- The cover letter is a tool of introduction. There are no rules as to its content. The letter should be addressed “Dear Project Judge” and signed by the 4-H’er. The cover letter can address any information or time. It may also address future goals.
- The two-page outline of accomplishments is a presentation of the 4-H’ers cumulative work over their 4-H career.
- Supporting material can be placed on one side of the page only. Paper should be white 8.5 x 11-inch paper with no shingling. This means that all items must adhere to the page.
The two reference letters should be affirmation of the 4-H’ers cumulative project work.
Submissions
Applications must be submitted in the following way:
- Signed and complete electronic copy of portfolio must be emailed to Mrs. Allie at allie723@uga.edu by Friday, May 28, 2021, at 12:00 PM.
If you have questions, please contact Mrs. Allie at allie723@uga.edu. For additional information, please visit: https://georgia4h.org/programs/focus-areas/citizenship/community-global-affairs/deans-awards/
