Meet the winners of the Level II State Projects in 2022.
Landin Brock, Level II Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries Winner
One of the level II state winners in the forestry, wildlife and fisheries project is Loudon County’s Landin Brock. Over the past six years in this project, he has participated in forestry camp, wildlife judging and forestry judging, in which he was the high individual of the contest last year! He has enjoyed serving and leading 4-H’ers as state council junior representative, Loudon County club president, a Healthy Living ambassador and the June dairy month chairman. As a 4-H representative, he has traveled to Hawaii to learn about their agriculture and 4-H programs and attended multiple Farm Bureau meetings, as well as youth development discussions and events. Landin’s future plans include attending the University of Tennessee to pursue a degree in forestry.
Addie Brooks, Level II Companion Animal Winner
Claiborne County’s Addie Brooks was named one of the Level II companion animal project state winners. Through this project, Addie has had the opportunity to share her dog with over 200 children from across her county at Farm City Day. In her leadership roles as Tennessee 4-H state council speaker of the house and Eastern Region All Star scribe, she has coordinated service projects, led workshops, and planned State 4-H Congress and regional All Star conferences. One of her most memorable 4-H experiences is when she had the opportunity to travel to Hawaii with the State 4-H Council learning about their 4‑H program and agriculture industry. In the future, Addie plans to attend the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and become a missionary.
Emily Brown, Level II Outdoor Recreation Winner
The Level II outdoor recreation project state winner is Weakley County’s Emily Brown. In this project, Emily has been involved in poultry judging and the air rifle division of Shooting Sports. She has furthered her knowledge of drones used for
agricultural purposes by teaching a workshop on the subject. Emily has been involved in a wide array of project areas, including creative arts and design, where she enjoys making posters, painting with oil, making stamps and bookbinding. She is a leader in her 4-H club as a Healthy Living ambassador, Honor Club member and Western Region All Star. In the future, Emily would like to study graphic design.
Hadley Brown, Level II Leadership Winner
Hadley Brown of Sumner County is the Level II leadership project state winner. As the current State Council president, she enjoys representing 4-H at agricultural conferences, speaking on behalf of thousands of 4-H’ers, planning state events and participating in service projects with her fellow 4-H members. Hadley has received countless opportunities through 4-H, such as volunteering as a Culinary Camp teen leader, managing the State Council Instagram account and serving as emcee for the National 4-H Hall of Fame. She says her 4-H friends have truly become a family to her. Outside of 4-H, she was elected as a National Distributive Education Clubs of America officer, as well as a TNSTRONG Ambassador. Hadley looks forward to attending college, as well as law school, to pursue a career advocating for agriculture.
Samantha Calvetti, Level II Horse Winner
The Level II horse project state winner is Wilson County’s Samantha Calvetti. Throughout Samantha’s seven years in this project, she has participated in hippology contests, served as the Horse Express president and successfully competed in a wide array of national judging contests. Her judging team claimed the Southern Regionals champion title, as well as the state champion title this year. Outside of Samantha’s main project, she is involved in Honor Club, cooking club, livestock judging, showing livestock, and Junior Fair Board. She is thankful for 4-H allowing her to grow and travel while doing what she loves. In the future, Samantha plans to attend Black Hawk College East Campus to pursue an associate’s degree, transfer to a university, and then earn a master’s degree.
Isaac Chandler, Level II Companion Animal Winner
Isaac Chandler of Anderson County is one of the Level II companion animal project state winners. Isaac has been involved in his project area by raising and showing registered dogs, importing breeding stock and growing his own business. He is also involved in other projects like entomology, shooting sports, sheep and veterinary science. The most memorable moment in his 4-H career was being elected as State Council vice president, where he received countless opportunities to coordinate events, service projects and workshops, as well as represent 4-H at many events throughout the year. One of his favorites was the educational trip to Hawaii, where he learned about Hawaiian agriculture and their 4-H program. 4-H has strengthened Isaac’s public speaking abilities, which he has utilized in his roles as 4-H Congress speaker of the senate, a camp counselor and a 4-H county ambassador. In the future, Isaac would like to become an entrepreneur.
Anna Clare Christy, Level II Nutrition/Health/Fitness Winner
Anna Clare Christy from Dickson County is one of the level II nutrition/health/fitness project state winners. Serving as her county’s Healthy Living ambassador, Anna Clare has led a nutrition project group, which has allowed her to teach younger members the importance of making smart food choices and exercising regularly. She is also a servant-leader in her community as an Honor Club officer and All Star. Anna Clare plans to attend the University of Tennessee, Knoxville to pursue a degree in kinesiology and become a pediatric physical therapist.
Lacy Collier, Level II Photography Winner
Lacy Collier from Hawkins County is the Level II photography project state winner. For the past five years, 4-H has allowed Lacy to follow her passion through photographing events like the National 4-H Conference and Eastern Region All Stars. She even had the Appalachian Fair best-in-show photograph. She enjoys being involved in service projects through Honor Club and All Stars. As a leader, Lacy served on the youth leadership team for National 4-H Council and is currently on State 4-H Council as All Star deputy chief. In the future, Lacy plans to attend the University of Tennessee at Martin to pursue a degree in agricultural education to become an agriculture teacher.
Lily Cravens, Level II Food Science Winner
Lily Cravens of Dyer County is one of the Level II food science project state winners. Lily has been active in her project area by conducting food tastings, presenting information on fats in the diet to students, demonstrating where milk comes from to students, and competing in Discovery Park of America’s Canstruction event, which raises millions of pounds of food for local food banks. She has also served as a Healthy Living ambassador, June Dairy Month chairman, and 4-H summer camp teen leader. These roles have provided her with personal development and public speaking skills to make her more confident. With these skills, she earned herself a ticket to the National Western Roundup for the consumer decision-making contest. Lily’s future plans include attending the University of Tennessee, Knoxville to become a medical laboratory scientist.
Tess Cunningham, Level II Consumer Education/Economics Winner
Tess Cunningham of Bedford County is the Level II consumer education/economics project state winner. She has been involved in this project since she was in fourth grade, successfully competing in the Family and Consumer Sciences skill-a-thon and consumer decision-making contests. She has had the opportunity to be an All Star and Honor Club member, where she has learned the importance of servant leadership. Along with this, she has served as Central Region All Star southwest area representative, a Bedford County ambassador, and a Healthy Living ambassador. Tess has plans of attending the University of Tennessee at Martin to pursue a degree in criminal justice.
Corinne Freeland, Level II Personal Development Winner
The Level II personal development project state winner is Corrine Freeland from Knox County. Corrine has flourished within her project for the past four years. She has had the opportunity to lead a portfolio workshop, serve as a Healthy Living ambassador, teach her healthy living project group, and boost her confidence and public speaking skills. She enjoys serving as Honor Club president, and one of her favorite service projects was when she helped people in need by providing them with warm clothes. She is excited to take the skills that she has developed through 4-H into her future career.
Emma Freeland, Level II Creative Arts and Design Winner
One of the Level II creative arts and design project state winners is Emma Freeland from Knox County. Emma has spent the past six years honing her skills in this project by participating in and leading project group nights and successfully competing on a consumer decision-making team. She has also been involved in leadership, citizenship and Healthy Living activities. As a servant leader, she is Honor Club president and All Star at large scout. In these roles, she helps plan conferences, service projects, and workshops for her county and region. Overall, Emma has experienced interpersonal growth and gained leadership skills through her time in 4-H.
Macey Gean, Level II Sheep Winner
Macey Gean from Dyer County is the Level II sheep project state winner. Macey has been learning and growing in this project by exhibiting sheep for the past eight years, and she is dedicated to her animals, as she works hard to shear, exercise, wash and work with them. Her hard work paid off when she was awarded grand champion at the Tennessee River Agriculture Expo. Outside of showing sheep, she is involved in Honor Club and serves as an area representative for her region’s All Star program. She would like to attend the University of Tennessee at Martin in the future.
Kelsey Guy, Level II Family and Consumer Sciences Leadership Winner
Cumberland County’s Kelsey Guy is the Level II family and consumer sciences leadership state winner. She is excited to attend East Tennessee State University to major in English and eventually become an author and publisher or work in public relations management. Her passion for English began when she started her communications, personal development and nutrition, health, and fitness projects in 4-H. In these projects, Kelsey has served as a Healthy Living ambassador, delivered regional-champion speeches, founded her county’s homeschool club and competed with her project portfolios. Kelsey has also been a great leader in the All Star program as at-large scout, where she developed leadership and teamwork skills while planning All Star conferences and participating in service projects like making dog toys, making earrings for cancer patients, and writing thank you cards for first responders and health care workers. Kelsey is so glad that 4-H allowed her to discover her true self and what she wanted to be.
Drew Johnson, Level II Communication/Public Speaking Winner
The Level II communication/public speaking project state winner is Hamilton County’s Drew Johnson. Some of his most notable 4-H involvement includes attending the Eastern Region All Star Fall Conference, being a teen leader at 4-H day camp, serving as archery club president and competing in poster making, t-shirt design, photography, and consumer decision-making. He earned a spot on the Chattanooga Southeast Tennessee Home Education Association worldwide mock trial varsity team, and he was named an outstanding student in this organization, as well. In all of these 4-H and community activities, he has developed communication, teamwork, and leadership skills that he will carry into his future career. Drew is attending Lee University and majoring in political science as an honor student. He hopes to continue his education in law school after earning his bachelor’s degree.
Allen Jones, Level II Engineering/Safety Science Project State Winner
One of the Level II engineering/safety science project state winners is Allen Jones from Robertson County. Allen’s 11 years in this project have been well-spent through his exploration and work in VEX competitive robot challenges, as well as many different My Own Creation Lego contests. Some of his other experiences within 4-H include being the Central Region speaking contest winner, competing as a Level II citizenship project state finalist, and holding many offices, such as his county’s Healthy Living ambassador, Central Regional All Star regional representative, Clover Club president, and Honor Club service leader. Allen’s hopes for the future include attending Tennessee Tech and following his passion for engineering to become a Lego set designer.
Grace Kellner, Level II Nutrition/Health/Fitness Winner
Washington County’s Grace Kellner was named one of the Level II nutrition/health/fitness project state winners. 4-H has been a big part of Grace’s life from a young age. As a Healthy Living ambassador for her county, she has planned a multi-county event, taught workshops and classes to local schools, led practices for her school’s soccer team and represented Tennessee 4-H at the National Healthy Living Summit. These experiences, plus many more, have taught her leadership, public speaking and interpersonal communication skills. Grace hopes to continue her education at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and major in pre-law with a minor in philosophy or psychology.
Jacklyn Kleparek, Level II Electric Winner
Jacklyn Kleparek from DeKalb County is the Level II electric project state winner. During Jacklyn’s time in this project, she took the initiative to demonstrate electric safety and how to build an electric circuit to elementary students. For three years, Jacklyn has been named the Tennessee Junior Chef. She has also served in leadership roles as the Dekalb County 4-H Ambassador, Honor Club social chair, an Electric Camp teen leader, and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America president. Following graduation, Jacklyn plans on attending Tennessee Tech to major in secondary education with a concentration in mathematics.
Abby Malone, Level II Poultry Winner
Smith County’s Abby Malone is the Level II poultry project state winner. Abby’s eight years in this project area have been spent competing in poultry judging, participating in chick chain, and exhibiting multiple grand champion chickens. Outside of her main project, she enjoys leading and serving others as an Honor Club member, All Star and June Dairy Month chairman. Furthermore, she is involved in livestock judging, archery, showing cattle and outdoor meat cookery. Abby says her 4-H opportunities have taught her responsibility and communication life skills that she is excited to use in her future career as a veterinarian.
Nicholas McCarver, Level II Engineering/Safety Science Winner
Madison County’s Nicholas McCarver was named one of the Level II engineering/safety science project state winners. In Nicholas’s two years of involvement in this project, he has served as a mentor in his weekly Vex Robotics club meetings, as well as the lead strategist and drive coach. He competed in the world competition for four years, where he was the champion of his division. Some of his favorite 4-H events include Line and Design Camp, outdoor cookery, Wildlife, Leadership and Service Camp, and State 4-H Congress. He also enjoys serving as the vice president of his local 4-H club. Nicholas is thankful for every life skill and opportunity that 4-H has provided to him, and he looks forward to putting those skills to use in his future career.
Lauren Nicks, Level II Creative Arts and Design Winner
Madison County’s Lauren Nicks is one of the Level II creative arts and design project state winners. In Lauren’s five years in this project, she has worked to create and build relationships with her peers and those in her community through art, challenged people to look at the big picture in the world around them, and received several first places for her art pieces. Furthermore, she has competed in wildlife judging and shooting sports and enjoys being a Western Region All Star. Lauren continues to put her hands to larger service as she volunteers with her county’s 4-H chicken shack and serves as a homeschool club teen leader. In the future, Lauren would like to pursue a career in the arts industry.
Clay Owen, Level II Beef Project Winner
Lincoln County’s Clay Owen is the state winner of the Level II beef project. For the past eight years, he has grown up on his family’s Shorthorn cattle farm, exhibited his cattle across the Southeast and successfully competed in outdoor meat cookery and livestock quiz bowl. Furthermore, he currently serves as a Tennessee Cattlemen’s Youth Association ambassador, where he advocates and represents the Tennessee beef industry at events and shows across the state. Clay currently serves as his county’s Honor Club president, as well as the state All Star deputy chief on Tennessee 4-H State Council. Clay is looking forward to studying agricultural engineering to pursue a career in precision agriculture.
Carl Parris, Level II Agricultural Leadership Winner
The Level II agricultural leadership state winner is Carl Parris of Warren County. In his seven-year career in the goat project, Carl has had the opportunity to raise and show goats. Some of his career highlights include winning grand champion yearling doe at Macon County Fair, making friends and having the opportunity to attend Tennessee 4-H Congress. He also enjoys serving as the Warren County 4-H Honor Club vice president. Carl’s future plans include obtaining a welding certification and attending auto diesel school to become a diesel mechanic.
Bethany Polson, Level II Horticulture/Garden Winner
Cumberland County’s Bethany Polson is one of the Level II horticulture/garden project state winners. In this project area, she has worked with her family to grow a garden and donate produce to local families in need. Some of her favorite 4-H events have been State Roundup and State Congress. At these events, she learned more about agriculture and developed life skills, such as leadership and service learning. She is glad that 4-H has pushed her out of her comfort zone through public speaking, being a 4-H camp teen leader and serving as Honor Club president. Bethany plans on attending college to major in political science.
Will Poynor, Level II Goat Winner
Will Poynor from Williamson County is the Level II goat project state winner. Will has been active in this project for six years by raising and showing meat goats. He has also ventured into other livestock species, such as beef, swine and poultry. He has learned responsibility and hard work from taking care of his animals. One of his favorite 4-H moments was when he was named the state champion goat showman. Will has plans of attending college to study agriculture.
Molly Ralston, Level II Veterinary Science Winner
In the veterinary science project, Molly Ralston from Bedford County is the Level II state winner. Throughout her eight years in this project, Molly has shown horses and livestock, completed her artificial insemination certification, and competed in dairy judging, livestock judging, livestock quiz bowl, horse quiz bowl and hippology. With her animal knowledge, it is no surprise that she has been on a number of successful teams, and even got to travel to Phoenix, Arizona, and Louisville, Kentucky, to compete in national judging contests. Outside of her main project, she enjoys being involved in Honor Club as president, as well as the All Star program as an area representative. Molly would like to become a veterinarian in her future.
Eli Rich, Level II Swine Winner
Eli Rich from Clay County is the Level II swine project state winner. For eight years, Eli has thoroughly enjoyed showing hogs, furthering his knowledge in the swine industry, teaching those skills and lessons to younger exhibitors, and claiming numerous top state swine awards in skill-a-thon, premier exhibitor and showmanship. One of his favorite opportunities was when his livestock judging team got to travel to Kansas City to compete in the American Royal Livestock Judging Contest, As Honor Club vice president, he enjoys giving back to others. After graduating, Eli hopes to attend the University of Tennessee, Knoxville to attain a degree, and become a United States Department of Agriculture meat inspector.
Lydia Self, Level II Horticulture/Garden Winner
One of the Level II horticulture/garden project state winners is Lydia Self from Monroe County. In this project, Lydia has planted her own backyard garden and flower beds. As an excellent leader in her community, she has volunteered as a 4-H camp teen leader, and she has served as president and secretary of Honor Club. These leadership roles have taught her the life skills of public speaking and confidence. Lydia’s future plans include attending Lee University to major in biology and become a physician assistant.
Elissah Sizemore, Level II Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries Winner
Carter County’s Elissah Sizemore is one of the Level II forestry, wildlife and fisheries project state winners. Elissah’s four years in this project have provided her with many opportunities to learn, lead and successfully compete in wildlife judging, as well as forestry judging, on the regional and state Levels. As a judging team coach, she is passionate about teaching skills to other 4-H’ers in her project. Outside of her main project, she enjoys sewing, quilting, serving others and leading her Honor Club as president. Following graduation, Elissah plans on attending Northwest State Community College to earn a degree in biology, and she hopes to pursue a career in wildlife and forestry.
Maddie Grace Thierfelder, Level II Performing Arts/Recreation Winner
Madison County’s Maddie Grace Theirfelder is the level II performing arts/recreation project state winner. Maddie Grace has had a flourishing journey in her project area. She has performed in several plays, been a member of the Performing Arts Troupe and sung in her church’s choir. Along with being an active member of this project, she has also found a passion for teaching other members about the leadership skills 4-H has given her. Maddie Grace hopes to move to New York City to continue her passion for teaching performing arts.
Anna Thompson, Level II Computers and Technology Winner
Dickson County’s Anna Thompson is the Level II computers and technology project state winner. For six years, Anna has been involved in this project by becoming certified in technology software, improving her programming skills, developing circuits, and educating others on different computers and technology curricula through leading project groups. She has been able to utilize these skills outside of 4-H, as she claimed national titles in both the Beta Club engineering competition, as well as the American Society for Engineering Education exhibit. Anna has developed leadership and communication skills through being involved in public speaking, consumer decision-making, Honor Club and All Stars. Following graduation, Anna would like to attend the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
McKinly Thompson, Level II Food Science Winner
One of the Level II food science project state winners is Pickett County’s McKinly Thompson. In the past seven years in her project, McKinly has focused on teaching cooking classes to younger 4-H’ers, showcasing her food dehydration experiments, being involved in cooking club, and researching chocolate tempering and crystallization. She also enjoys serving as Honor Club reporter and being involved with All Stars, Health Rocks and sewing club. As a Healthy Living ambassador, she attended the National Healthy Living Summit in Washington, D.C. McKinly’s future plans include furthering her education to become a dietician.
Naomi Todd, Level II Clothing and Textiles Winner
Wilson County’s Naomi Todd is the Level II clothing and textiles project state winner. This has been Naomi’s main project for four years, and it has allowed her to develop leadership skills and give back to her community, whether making T‑shirts out of upcycled T-shirts for veterans or teaching and sharing her passion for this project. Naomi has served as Honor Club president, Wilson County’s National 4-H Week representative, and a 4-H camp teen leader. Some of her 4-H highlights include being involved in the All Star program, leading her sewing club, serving on the Tennessee 4-H Family and Consumer Sciences clothing and textiles advisory committee, and participating in the regional FCS skill-a-thon, where she was the high individual. Naomi’s plans include becoming a missionary in the future.
Delaney Turner, Level II Citizenship Winner
Delaney Turner of Macon County is the Level II citizenship project state winner. In her seven years in this project, she has organized and participated in multiple service-learning projects, including Angel Tree, where her community collected over 100 gifts for children in need. Some of the highlights of her 4-H career include serving as Tennessee 4-H State Council junior representative, serving as a Macon County 4-H Ambassador, holding several offices in Honor Club, attending the National Healthy Living Summit, participating in Chick Chain and being a part of the 2021 state champion dairy judging team. Through her growth in 4-H, Delaney has learned the important life skills of public speaking and being confident in herself. Delaney’s future plans include attending the University of Tennessee, Knoxville to pursue a degree in agriculture education. She would like to work for the Tennessee Department of Agriculture or Tennessee Farm Bureau in her future career.