Kevin D. Tatum, County Extension Coordinator, Coffee County
District Project Achievement is a competition which entails a 4-H member selecting a project, working on this project throughout the year, assembling a portfolio on their project work, leadership, citizenship, other activities, and researching their project in order to put together a presentation on this topic. They will then present their demonstration at DPA at Rock Eagle. If a 4-H member wins first place or earns a sweepstakes trip in their project, they will advance to State 4-H Congress in July. A sweepstakes trip is awarded to the second place winner if there are 8 or more in a project. For each additional 8 in the project, another student advances to State 4-H Congress. So, State 4-H Congress is an event for the district winners from each of the four Extension districts for Senior DPA competitors. Most projects will have at least four students competing at State 4-H Congress. There are currently 50 projects for senior 4‑H members.
This year, Coffee County 4-H had six students advance to State 4-H Congress. Jeremiah Brantley won first place in the Performing Arts-Drama project at DPA. Austin Strickland won first place at DPA in the Performing Arts-Other Instrument project. These two students had to compete in their demonstration on June 25. Since the auditorium at Rock Eagle was not available, they competed in the Putnam County High School Theater.
Coffee County 4-H’s other first place winners at DPA included Ashton Ates in the Food for Fitness project, Muskan Minhas in the Health project, Glenn O’Steen in the Engineering and Mechanics project, and Ishika Sadarangani in the Food for Health and Sport project. All four of these students presented their demonstration at State 4‑H Congress during the week of July 20-23.
While at State Congress, all four students had to go through an interview about their 4-H portfolio. Judges asked them anything about their project work listed in their DPA portfolio.
While at State Congress, they also went on a tour of the Georgia Aquarium.
On Thursday, there was a huge banquet where all of the state winners from all state projects and competitions were recognized. There were about 150 people recognized at this banquet. This included state winners from judging competitions, target sports events, and every other competition in Georgia 4-H.
Our 4-H members came home with four second place, one third place, and one fourth place award. Ashton Ates, Muskan Minhas, Ishika Sadarangani, and Austin Strickland all placed second in their projects, Glenn O’Steen placed third, and Jeremiah Brantley place fourth.
We want to congratulate all of our participants for representing Coffee County and Southeast District with distinction. You all did a great job and we are proud of each and every one of you for your accomplishments this year.
If you have questions about the Coffee County 4-H Club program, or questions around the farm or home, please feel free to contact the Coffee County Extension office at (912) 384-1402. Remember, we are YOUR local connection to the University of Georgia.