Justin Crowe, Extension Specialist
November brought with it colder weather, turkey, and National 4-H Congress. Thirty seven 4-H members and eight delegates recently returned from National 4-H Congress, held November 23 – 27, 2018 in Atlanta, brings together close to 1,000 senior high 4-H members, volunteers, and extension staff from around the nation for five days of workshops, guest speakers, service projects and fun. This year’s delegation enjoyed hands-on workshops, engaging service projects across the city of Atlanta, and the chance to meet Miss America 2019 Nia Franklin. Another highlight was a special Tennessee brunch at the Ritz Carlton hotel, which is paid by for former delegates to National 4- H Congress. Among our special guests for the brunch was Dr. Robert Burns, Dean of Extension.
We had several youth who held leadership roles while at National 4-H Congress. These included National 4-H Youth Leadership Team members C.J. Bryson (Gibson County) and Emily Nave (Rutherford County). Our state delegate advisor was Caroline Brooks (Warren County) and our flag bearer was Lindsey Hedrick (Sevier County).
National 4-H Congress, in its 98th year, serve as the culminating experience for our 4-H members who compete in project competition at 4-H Congress and Roundup. It continues to serve as a premier event which helps us high- light the 4-H program and the achievement of our members. Our delegates came as individuals and left as a family. As Mr. Sutton always said about the delegates to National 4-H Congress and I continue to say, “they had class!”
