District Competition Adds Wins to Awards for Gilmer 4-H

Gilmer County 4-H traveled to Jackson Elementary School on Saturday, March 25, 2017, to compete in the District Project Achievement Competition.

Forty-two Gilmer County students, in grades 4^th – 6^th, competed with 327 students from ten counties. All nine of the 6^thgraders in attendance won 1^st Place, with an additional 10 1^st Place wins in the 4^th – 5^th grade division. There were 7 students in the 4^th– 5^th grade division taking home 2^nd place and 1 student taking home a 3^rd  place win. The remaining 15 received high marks and were awarded Honorable Mention Awards.

While competition was tough, the road to get to this competition was long as well. Each school held its own Project Fairs just to decide who would be invited to district competition. According to Darcie Pritchett of 4-H Americorps, these fairs were held over a span between February 28 and March 14 before the March 25 District Competition began.

However, District Honors are not the only awards Gilmer 4-H has been winning. Essie Martin, Moriah Martin, Jocelyn Birko, and Chelsie Reed also traveled to Rock Eagle recently to attend the Jr/Sr DPA (District Project Achievement) from March 2-4. Jocelyn Birko went on place first in her area and was also a Junior Board Member candidate.

March 3 also saw a Senior Banquet and presentation at Rock Eagle as Essie Martin received her senior 4-H cords and gift from Arch D. Smith II, State 4-H Leader and Director of 4-H.

Pritchett also wanted to extend a special thanks to the parents of these outstanding students, as well as the faculty and staff of Ellijay Elementary School, Gilmer Middle School, Mountain View Elementary School, and North Georgia Christian Academy for their participation and support as well as the adult volunteers and teen leaders that worked so hard to make the the district competition day such a success!