Mastering the Art of Public Speaking: Gordon County 4-H seeking participants for project achievement
Wouldn’t it be great to find an activity for your child to participate in each year from fourth - 12th grade that increases their confidence, enhances their public speaking, résumé - writing, and interviewing skills, and offers opportunities for them to earn college scholarships? 4- H Project Achievement is an activity that accomplishes each of these goals and Gordon County 4-H is currently accepting participants for this unique activity.
4- H Project Achievement is a competition where students explore an area of interest, create a presentation about the topic along with visual aids, and then share the presentation with others at competition. There are over 50 project areas in which youth can compete, with almost every topic of interest available, including subjects such as animals, health, performing arts, cooking, science, general recreation, arts and sports.
There are three levels of competition: Cloverleaf, for fourth - sixth graders; Junior, for seventh and eighth graders; and Senior, for ninth - 12th graders.
For Cloverleaf 4- H’ers, Project Achievement will be held at Georgia Highlands in Rome on Feb. 4, 2017. The competition is free to enter, and students will be provided transportation and lunch. Also, all poster and note card materials will be provided by Gordon County 4- H to students at no cost.
Junior and Senior 4- H’ers will compete at Rock Eagle 4- H Center in Eatonton from March 10- 12, 2017. In addition to developing a presentation, Junior and Senior 4- H’ers must also submit a portfolio detailing their project work and community service and leadership experiences over the past year, similar to a résumé. The competition is free to enter, and students will be provided transportation, meals and lodging. Also, all portfolio, poster, and note card materials will be provided by Gordon County 4- H at no cost.
Senior 4- H’ers winning at the district level will advance to state competition in July and have the opportunity to gain Master 4- H status, the highest honor a 4- H’er can receive. 4-H staff members will be available to assist any youth with developing their presentations and/ or portfolios.
If you would like for your child to participate in this competition, you must register for this event by calling our office at 706- 629- 8685. Competing in project achievement requires enrollment in 4- H as well as choosing a project area. Information about enrollment and Project Achievement can also be found on our website at http:// www. caes. uga. edu/ extension/ gordon/ 4h/ index. html. There is no entry fee for either 4- H membership or Project Achievement. For more information about Gordon County 4-H Project Achievement or to enroll as a participant or adult volunteer, please contact the Gordon County Extension Office at 706- 629- 8685.
4- H County Council Officers Elected
At the Gordon County 4-H Kick-Off Party held on Sept. 26, six youth were elected to serve as County Council officers, leading the 4- H program countywide. Those elected were:
President: Chelsea Clayton – Gordon Central High School, 11th grade
Vice- President: Gracy Sexton – Sonoraville High School, 10th grade
Reporter: Brandon Bagley – Gordon Central High School, 10th grade
Secretary: Halle Moore – Home School, 10th Mekayla Ramos – 8th grade student giving presentation on horses grade
Junior Representative – Hannah McElrath, Sonoraville High School, eighth grade
Junior Representative – Makayla Blackstock, Red Bud Middle School, sixth grade
To be eligible to run, each youth had to have attended at least four County Council meetings in the last year, received teen leader certification, participated in 2016 Project Achievement, and participated in at least one competitive team in the last year. As officers, these youths will lead the monthly countywide meetings of Gordon County 4-H, represent Gordon County 4-H at events, and serve as examples of the display of character traits that are also essential elements of 4- H: generosity, belonging, mastery, and independence.