Thirteen Dawson County 4-H'ers returned from the Northeast District Project Achievement (DPA) competition with honors in their project areas.

Two high school students earned a trip to State 4-H Congress this July by winning in their respective projects.  Stephanie Mize will compete in the Dairy Foods Project.  Audra Vaughters will compete in the History Project.

Held recently at the Rock Eagle 4-H Center near Eatonton, DPA is an annual competition.  Members presented a timed demonstration or cook a specialty dish. 

Other high school students competing were: Christina Callahan, Workforce Preparation Project; Kristen Goswick, Performing Arts, General Project; Amberly Hedden, Festive Foods for Health Project; Taylor Thompson, Performing Arts, General Project; Ashley Sturm, Wildlife and Marine Science Project.  Ashley placed third in her project. 

First place winners for Juniors (7th and 8th grade members) were Becca Bishop, Plant & Soil Science Project, Autumn Callahan, Conservation of Natural Resources Project and Noah Knight, Festive Foods for Health Project.  Third place finisher was Greer French, Performing Arts, Instrumental Project.   

Other members competing were Krista Barnicoat, History Project and Kaleigh Cochran, Workforce Preparation Project. 

Members to compete are required to complete a portfolio highlighting activities with their project for the entire hear and present a talk about a special interest in the project area.   

Attending DPA with the 4-H’ers were  Ian Cowie, County Extension 4-H Agent, Samantha Graves, 4-H Program Assistant, Debra Vaughters, Volunteer Leader. The trip was possible with support from Dawson County United Way and money raised during the annual Rabies Clinic. 

4-H is the youth program of the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service.  For more information about 4-H in Dawson County, contact the County Extension Office at 706-265-2442.