Local Youth Attend Annual TN 4‐H Roundup

For the 93rd year, 4‐H members from across Tennessee gathered at the University of Tennessee for State 4‐H Roundup and All Star Conference.
The annual event, which took place July 25‐29, recognized the outstanding project work and leadership accomplishments of senior high 4‐H members. Approximately 300 high school age 4‐H’ers from across Tennessee met for several days on the UT Knoxville campus. 4‐H’ers competed in projects such as communications, livestock, computers and technology, and photography for college scholarship money and trips to National 4‐H Congress in Atlanta. The theme for this meeting and for all 4‐H programs in 2016 was “Tennessee 4‐H: Breaking Barriers and Building Leaders.”
Representing DeKalb County at State 4‐H Roundup this year were Kayla Belk, 11th grade, and Caitlyn Lawrence, 12th grade. Caitlyn competed in her project area of nutrition, health, and fitness. She was a regional finalist with her portfolio and earned her trip to Round Up. She also had to compete in a professional interview and represented DeKalb County very well. Caitlyn attended as an All-Star member and completed service hours with Keep Knoxville Beautiful. Caitlyn also received the Vol State Award, the highest level of recognition a 4-H member can be awarded. This award is only given to current or incoming high school seniors.
Teens from all over the state came together, competed in their project areas, learned life skills such as leadership and citizenship, made lifelong friends and had a great time at Dollywood. Roundup is one of the highlights for Tennessee’s 4‐H program. Delegates who attend have spent years of work in their respective project areas. Delegates to the 2016 Tennessee 4‐H Roundup and All Star Conference were also asked to collect items for foster children in East Tennessee.
“Service‐learning opportunities are a very important component of the 4‐H program,” said Richard Clark, Assistant Dean and Department Head for Tennessee 4‐H Youth Development. “Each year, 4‐H’ers statewide perform tens of thousands of hours of service at an estimated value of over $1 million. Through the service‐learning projects, our 4‐H’ers learn that they can really make a difference in their communities.”
4‐H is the Youth Development program for University of Tennessee Extension and Tennessee State University. 4‐H teaches leadership, citizenship and service learning to more than 168,000 youth in 4th through 12th grades. 4‐H also has more than 6,000 adult volunteers. For more information about DeKalb County 4-H, please call 615-597-4945.
Photo Caption:
Round Up: Caitlyn Lawrence and Kayla Belk after the awards banquet at State 4-H Roundup held at UT Knoxville. Kayla was a state finalist in her project area of nutrition, health, and fitness.
Caitlyn Lawrence received the highest honor a TN 4-H member can receive: Vol State.