Dawson County 4-H members traveled to Gainesville recently to compete in the area 4-H Cotton Boll and Consumer Contest.  High school members were Krista Barnicoat, Kristen Goswick, Taylor Thompson and Audra Vaughters.  Autumn Callahan, David Goswick and Jason Redd were the middle schoolers competing.

High school member Audra Vaughters was the top scorer for the Dawson team.  She competed against more than 70 other contestants.  Autumn Callahan was  the highest scorer for the middle school team.  She competed against 138 participants.  There were 20 counties represented at the competition.

The contest is based on selecting commonly used products when given a scenario.  This year's categories included MP3 players, pre-packaged lunches, hoodies and cell phone plans.  The challenge comes from knowing the various products and what the person in the story needs.  Members provide oral reasons for one of the classes.  There is also a session where members sell the benefits of cotton.  High school members are judged on a 90 second public service announcement.  Middle schoolers develop and deliver a 30 second commercial about cotton.

The team began practices after school at the Extension office in October.  The next 4-H judging team event is not until spring and is all about chickens and eggs.  Practices begin in March.

If you would like more information about the 4-H program, contact the Dawson County Extension Service at 706-265-2442.  Members in 4-H are young people between the ages of 9 and 19 learning life skills.