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 and excelled in a broad spectrum of activities and experiences over a sustained period of time, while simultaneously improving the participant’s resume-preparation and interviewing skills. Dean’s Awards are offered in five major project areas: Ag and STEM, Civic Engagement, Communications and the Arts, Family and Consumer Sciences, and Leadership. 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’ five project areas, individuals with the five highest portfolio scores will be selected as finalists and asked to participate in interviews at 4-H State Council.
Eligibility
- Participant must be an active ninth, tenth, eleventh, or twelfth grader during the current year.
- No previous winner in a Dean’s Award project is eligible to compete in any of the five 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 area of Dean’s Awards competition in one year.
Project Areas
An award will be presented in each of the following five areas:
- Agricultural and Environmental Sciences(including STEM)
- 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
Awards & Recognition
First Place winners in each category will receive:
- Master 4-H’er Status
- A $500 scholarship
- Recognition on 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 five 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. 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.
- The Dean’s Awards cover sheet should be printed, complete with proper signatures, and must be included as the first page.
- The cover letter and two accomplishment pages 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 reference letters should be affirmation of the 4-H’ers cumulate project work. The two-page outline of accomplishments is a presentation of the 4-H’ers cumulative work over their 4-H career.
- The two pages of 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.
- Signed and complete electronic copy of portfolio must be uploaded by Friday, May 24, 2019, at 5:00 PM, which means Mrs. Allie needs it no later than Thursday, May 23.
If you have questions or want to apply, please contact Mrs. Allie. For additional information, please visit: https://georgia4h.org/programs/focus-areas/citizenship/community-global-affairs/deans-awards/
