2023 Level II State Project Winners

Meet the winners of the Level II State Projects in 2023.

Ella Flynn, Level II Citizenship

Ella Flynn of Macon County is attending National 4-H Congress as the Level II state winner in the leadership project. This high school senior is the daughter of David and Andrea Flynn of Lafayette. 4-H has given Ella the opportunity to serve her community. She has collected and delivered items totaling over $3,500 in donations to the Ronald McDonald House for six years. She has made Easter baskets for local nursing home residents for four years and helped organize an animal parade for their enjoyment. Ella is also involved in the clothing and textiles project. She enjoys sewing and has recruited six younger members in a local sewing club. She enjoys working with Extension’s Family and Consumer Education clubs in her county and serves on the Macon County Fair youth board. Ella has participated in livestock judging, Grill Masters Challenge, June Dairy Month promotions and July Beef Month promotions. She was a member of the national champion consumer decision making team at the 2023 Western National Roundup in Denver, Colorado, and was named 9th grade state public speaking winner at Tennessee 4-H Congress. Ella says her involvement in 4-H has taught her communication skills which will be invaluable to her in the future. She feels it helps her express her ideas when working with others. As a student at Macon County High School, Ella is president of her class, vice president of her FFA chapter and president of the Interact Club. She plans to attend the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and major in agricultural leadership, education, and communications. Future plans include a career promoting farmers and the agriculture industry.

Cade Simmons, Level II Leadership

The Level II state winner in the leadership project is Cade Simmons of Van Buren County. This nine-year 4-H member is a senior at Van Buren County High School and the son of Brian and Katina Simmons of Spence. Cade’s leadership efforts focused on promoting the 4-H program in his county. He helped to create an Instagram account, recruited county club officers, increased the availability of month club meeting, and generally worked to expand the program. He has had a variety of leadership opportunities in 4-H, including Tennessee 4-H Congress governor, State 4-H Council president, Tech Changemakers  ambassador, culinary camp teen leader, junior 4-H camp teen leader, and county 4-H vice president. Cade says all these experiences have helped him become more confident and flexible when working with groups. Cade also serves as president of his FFA chapter and is a junior fair board member. Upon graduation from high school, he plans to attend the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Allie Harrison, Level II Beef

The Level II state winner in the beef project is Allie Harrison of Washington County. She is a senior at Daniel Boone High School and the daughter of Joey and Nellie Harrison of Kingsport. Allie has shown cattle on the county, state and national levels. She is actively involved in the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Youth Association and served that organization as an ambassador in 2022. She was named the Level I showmanship winner at the 2021 Wilson County Fair in Lebanon and was recognized by the Washington County Cattlemen’s Association with the 4-H/FFA Project of the Year award. In addition to her beef project activities, Allie is also a six-year Chick Chain participant and serves a teen leader for that project. Allie says her experiences in the beef project have taught her more about the cattle industry and helped her become a leader in the agriculture industry. She is an officer in her county 4-H Honor Club, president of her FFA chapter and East Tennessee FFA regional reporter.

Callie Smith, Level II Clothing and Textiles

Callie Smith of Jefferson County was awarded a silver bowl at Tennessee 4-H Roundup as the Level II state winner in the clothing and textiles project. This high school senior is the daughter of Jeff and Karen Smith of New Market. Callie’s project is all about clothing construction. This talented seamstress was a state winner in the Make It with Wool Contest and received second place at the national contest machine embroidery division. She is a member of her county sewing project group, had attended regional fashion and design conference for six years, and was a creative arts and design  delegate to 4-H Academic Conference. She has shared her clothing and textiles project with others through educational displays at state and national events. She also enjoys participating in the citizenship project, the leadership project, and 4-H Grill Masters competition. Callie credits the 4-H All Star program with helping her to make new friends. This seven-year 4-H Honor Club member has served as a member of the Southern Region Teen Leadership Conference planning committee, a Healthy Living ambassador, a county tech ambassador, June Dairy Month chairman and a teen leader at 4-H camp, State 4-H Electric Camp, and Junior High 4-H Academic Conference. Callie plans to attend Walters State Community College upon graduation from high school.

Alex Carpenter, Level II Communications and Public Speaking

The Level II state winner in the communications/public speaking project is Alex Carpenter of Obion County. This eight-year 4-H member is the son of Coleman and Lori Carpenter of Troy. As part of his project work, Alex created a podcast at his high school. He enjoys public speaking, and his abilities have given him the opportunity to speak and make public appearances to promote the 4-H program across the state. Alex is recognized by his peers as a leader. He served as the Tennessee 4-H vice president and served on State 4-H Council as a junior representative. He was also the Western Region All Star Scribe and his county’s Honor Club president. He was a four-time high school class president and was selected at Mr. Obion County Central High School. Alex attends the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he is majoring in journalism and electronic media. He plans for a career in sports broadcasting.

Hattie Martinek, Level II Companion Animal

Hattie Martinek of Sumner County is this year’s Level II state winner in the companion animals project. This nine-year 4-H member is the daughter of Mary Gauerke of Hendersonville. Hattie has donated over 30 items to the Sumner County Humane Society. She has made visits to local memory care facilities with her certified therapy cat and given informational presentations related to her project at local 4‑H meetings. Hattie is active in other activities in addition to her companion animals project. Her Family and Consumer Sciences Skillathon team was the reserve champion team at the 2023 Western National Roundup. She also participates in wildlife judging, hippology, dairy quiz bowl and meats judging. Hattie says 4-H has helped her learn public speaking and leadership skills and the importance of community. She was a Girls’ State delegate, president of HOSA -Future Health Professionals, and vice president of Young Women’s Studies Club. She is a freshman at the University of New Hampshire-Durham majoring in neuroscience.

Nicholas Hawk, Level II Computers and Technology

Nicholas Hawk of Monroe County is this year’s Level II state winner in the computers and technology project. He is a senior at Tellico Plains High School and the son of Adam and Tera Hawk of Tellico Plains. Nicholas worked with his uncle at his internet business to develop his winning computers and technology project. He enjoys working with younger 4-H members and helping them grow in their project work. He was a member of his county’s consumer decision making judging team and served as his high school class president last year. He acclaims Roundup as having helped him with developing his interview skills and learning to follow a schedule and be on time. Nicholas plans to attend the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Leah Bates, Level II Consumer Education and Economics

One of the Level II Consumer Education and Economics Project State Winners was Leah Bates from Obion County. She has focused the past year on learning how to properly manage her finances by saving money from her two jobs. Outside of this, Leah also enjoys competing in Forestry and Wildlife Judging, leading her peers as Club President, and teaching classes on photography and journalism. She accredits 4-H for developing strong confidence in public speaking. Leah looks forward to attending the University of Tennessee at Martin to pursue a degree in Elementary Education and become a teacher in her hometown.

Jaiden Graves, Level II Consumer Education and Economics

Jaiden Graves of Madison County was named a Level II one of the state winners in the consumer education and economics  project. She is the daughter of Rapture Graves of Jackson and a senior at Liberty Technology High School. Jaiden went to several elementary schools in her county and taught classes on ways to save on food purchases. She volunteers in the 4-H Chicken Shack, a fund-raising activity at the West Tennessee State Fair, and has attended the Western Region Culinary Camp. Jaiden credits 4-H with helping her develop confidence. She feels she now has the ability to stand before any group of people and speak with assurance. Jaiden is president of her high school class, JROTC flight commander, a BETA Club member, and a cheerleader. She plans to attend the University of Tennessee at Martin and become an occupational therapist.

Sarah Gilford, Level II Creative Arts and Design

Saray Gillford’s work in the creative arts and design project earned her the honor of being named a Level II state project winner at Tennessee 4-H Roundup. She is a senior at Home Life Academy and the daughter of Nancy Bolson of Elizabethton. Sarah’s project work has centered around her artwork. A local art dealer featured her ink and pencil work in a local downtown shop for one week. She has also placed in the top five exhibitors at the Appalachian Fair and has been recognized in regional competition for the 4-H Poster Art Contest. She enjoys sharing her skills with younger members by leading craft workshops. When asked what has helped her the most, Sarah credits completing portfolios with encouraging her to try new things outside her comfort zone. She is president of her county’s 4-H Honor Club and has served as a teen leader at camp.

Ian Adams, Level II Creative Arts and Design

Ian Adams, son of Clive and Connie Adams of Hendersonville, is one of the Level II state winners in  the creative arts and design project. This high school senior is a six-year Sumner County 4-H member who credits 4-H with helping him develop his leadership skills. He says, “4-H has taught me to be more outgoing and helped me get outside my comfort zone.” His project activities include making a complete redesign of the original Super Mario Brothers, completing hand-drawn pixel art and sketches, and teaching an art class at the Southern Region Teen Leadership Conference. He is a Sumner County 4-H ambassador, 4-H All Star member and a Healthy Living ambassador. One of the most exciting things that has happened to Ian in 4-H was when his Family and Consumer Sciences quiz bowl team was named reserve champion at the Western National Roundup in Denver, Colorado. Ian loves to help his community whenever he has the opportunity and has completed over 80 hours of community service. He plans to attend Middle Tennessee State University and major in graphic design and animation.

Isaac DeBusk, Level II Dairy

The Level II state winner in the dairy project is Isaac DeBusk of McMinn County. Isaac is a high school senior and the son of Jason and Kerri DeBusk of Riceville. He raises registered dairy replacement heifers and has been exhibiting them at the local, state, and national levels for ten years. He is also employed at Harmony Way Dairy in Niota  where he helps with the daily chores of feeding, milking, and checking routine herd health. Isaac plans to attend California Polytechnic State University and major in dairy management.

Courtney Campbell, Level II Engineering and Safety Science

Courtney Campbell of Dickson County will be one of the two Level II state winners attending National 4-H Congress in the engineering/safety science project. This Dickson County High School senior is the daughter of Chad and Kelly Campbell of Dickson. In addition to her winning portfolio, Courtney has competed in numerous 4‑H speaking competitions. She has also had the honor of speaking before the Rotary Club and mayor as a fourth grade and ninth grade 4-H member. She finds writing speeches has always come easy, but it takes hours of practice for a winning delivery. This 4-H Honor Club and All Star member is also involved in livestock judging. She served on State 4-H Council as a junior representative and is vice president of her county Honor Club. Courtney says the number of skills she has built and continues to build pushes her to be the best she can be. Courtney is captain of her wrestling and volleyball teams, volunteers as a childcare worker at her church, and participates in food drives at the YMCA.

Ian Thompson, Level II Engineering and Safety Science

Ian Thompson of Pickett County is one of the Level II state winners in the engineering and safety science project. He is the son of Chris and Christal Thompson of Byrdstown. Ian’s project experiences include restoring an old tractor, making a bookshelf and nightstand, and completing maintenance on multiple vehicles and lawnmowers. He also participates in the companion animals; forestry, wildlife, and fisheries; and food science projects. He credits the 4-H All Star program with giving him the opportunity to stand and talk before others, helping him develop his public speaking skills. Ian has been his county 4-H Honor Club president for two years and is presently the Central Region All Star deputy chief. He is a freshman at Tennessee Technological University, majoring in agriculture education.

Zac Lewis, Level II Entrepreneurship

Zac Lewis was named the Level II state winner in the entrepreneurship project. He is a senior at Livingston Academy High School and the son of Phil and Angel Lewis of Livingston. Zac’s entrepreneurship project involved the marketing of his eggs through his poultry project. He has participated in the 4-H Chick Chain and twice exhibited the grand champion pen of pullets at the county show and sale. He is also very involved in the leadership and citizenship projects. Zac lives by the 4-H motto, “Learn by doing.” He says 4-H has allowed him to learn from his mistakes. Zac was the 2023 Tennessee 4-H Congress Speaker of the Senate and serves as the social media chair for Leadership Overton. He has lead his high school class as president two different years, is an officer for his Future Business Leaders of America chapter and serves as the basketball team manager. He plans to attend the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and major in agricultural communications.

Deanna Speicher, Level II Food Science

Deanna Speicher of Sumner County was one of the Level II state winners in the food science project. A high school senior and eight-year 4-H member, she is the daughter of Loren Speicher and Shonnie Speicher of Gallatin. Deanna prepared food for a restaurant and bakery as a member of her high school culinary program. She was able to make a variety of items from cinnamon rolls to brisket. She was responsible for cleaning and sanitizing the kitchen at the end of each day. Her team placed third in the Chopped Challenge contest. She was a member of the reserve champion poultry judging team and the fourth-place meats judging team at their respective national contests. She also enjoys participating in Grill Masters’ Challenge, consumer decision making judging and livestock judging. Deanna was been a teen leader at Junior High 4-H camp for two years and was this year’s June Dairy Month chairman for her county. She plans to attend the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and major in food science.

Micah Carter, Level II Food Science

Micah Carter of Madison County was one of the Level II food science state project winners. This eight-year 4-H member is the son of Jessica Carter and Gary Carter of Jackson. His food science project focused on baking. He enjoys experimenting with different ingredients and preparing heathy foods for his grandmother. Micah has learned through 4-H that the most important thing is to never give up and always have fun. He has learned leadership skills through his work with the 4-H chicken shack, a major fund-raising effort for his county at the West Tennessee State Fair. He has learned teamwork skills through teaching and helping others. Micah is a homeschooled high school senior.

Samantha Robbins, Level II Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries

Samantha Robbins of Monroe County was a Level II state winner in the forestry, wildlife, and fisheries project. She is a high school senior and the daughter of Chad and Kelley Robbins of Tellico Plains. Samanatha was a member of the state-winning forestry judging team. She was second overall in regional competition and fourth overall at the state contest. She is also involved in livestock judging and showing cattle. She credits being in 4-H Honor Club as having helped her with leadership skills and being confident in front of others. She has held the offices of president, vice president, and secretary of her county Honor Club, and attended junior 4-H camp as a teen leader. She is a student council member at Tellico Plains High School and serves as president of her FFA chapter.

Thomas Davis, Level II Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries

Thomas Davis of Dyer County was named a Level II state winner in the forestry, wildlife and fisheries project. This Dyer County High School senior is the son of Jeri Beth Daivs and Terrel Davis. Thomas’ project has included planting deer plots and recycling Christmas trees into fish habitats, but the biggest thing he has accomplished is trapping feral hogs. He has served as vice president of his community club and assisted at camp as a teen counselor. While an Arkansas 4-H member, he received the Ambassador and Teen Star recognition. He has improved his leadership skills by working with younger 4-H members. He is a devotional leader in his church and volunteers with the roadside trash pickup in his community. Thomas plans to attend the University of Tennessee at Martin. He aspires to be an athletic trainer in the future.

Alivia Haylett, Level II Goat

Alivia Haylett of Williamson County was awarded a silver bowl and a trip to National 4‑H Congress as the Level II state winner in the goat project. This eight-year 4-H member is a high school senior and the daughter of Todd and Shannon Haylett of Columbia. Alivia’s project has included goat shows, skillathons and judging competitions. She was recognized by the University of Tennessee Animal Science Department at the Tennessee Youth Livestock All-Star Banquet for being a premier exhibitor. Alivia also participates in the poultry and swine projects, She was a Level I state winner in the poultry project. Her livestock judging team was a state finalist and represented Tennessee at the 2023 Western National Roundup in Denver, Colorado. Alivia credits livestock judging and 4-H All Stars with helping her to grow as a leader, advocate, and speaker. She is vice president of her county 4-H Honor Club and serves as Northwest representative on the Central Region All Star Council. She is vice president of the Williamson County Fari Youth Board and is an advocate for agriculture in her county. Alivia plans to attend the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and major in animal science.

Dawson Harvey, Level II Horse

Dawson Harvey, daughter of Amy Harvey and Seth Harvey of Spring Hill, is the Level II state winner in the horse project. This high school senior has been a 4-H horse project member for three years. She has been the captain of her county hippology team and enjoys coaching her teammates in preparation for competition. Other activities she has participated in include horse judging, livestock judging, meat judging, dairy judging, and public speaking competitions. She is involved in rodeo queen competition, holding the titles of Miss Rodeo Tennessee and Miss Congeniality Teen Rodeo USA. Dawson says one of the best leadership roles she has undertaken is planning 4-H portfolio workshops. She gets satisfaction from helping other members understand how to put together a well-presented portfolio. She also serves a room chair for the county demonstration and speaking contests. Dawson serves as president of the Williamson County Junior Fair Board. She plans to become a equine veterinarian in the future.

Delia Merchant, Level II Horticulture and Garden

Reece Chandler, Level II Nutrition, Health and Fitness

Reece Chandler, son of Brandy Chandler of Union City, was a Level II state winner in the nutrition, health and fitness project. This six-year Obion County 4-H member is a homeschooled senior with plans to attend the University of Tennessee at Martin and major in agriculture business. Reece serves as a healthy living ambassador for his county and was named a June Dairy Month scrapbook winner. He attended the 2023 Tennessee 4-H Congress as a finalist in the leadership project. Reece attributes the opportunities provided to him through the State 4-H Council as having helped him the most in 4-H.

Kaylee Garrell, Level II Nutrition, Health and Fitness

Kaylee Garrell of Van Buren County is a Level II winner in the nutrition, health and fitness project. The eight-year 4-H member is a high school senior and the daughter of Richard and Diana Garrell of Sparta. Kaylee’s project work has included involvement in yoga, Taichi, cooking, and food preservation classes; reading food labels; and participating in basketball and volleyball. She serves as her county’s Healthy Living ambassador. She is a 4-H Honor Club and All Star member and serves as the Central Region All Star scribe. Kaylee has participated on a Family and Consumer Sciences Skillathon team and horse judging team. Kaylee says her experiences with completing 4-H portfolios and preparing for project interviews have given he skills which will be invaluable to her in the future. Outside of her 4-H activities, Kaylee is a member of her church worship team,  a member of the student leadership officer team at her school, vice president of HOSA-Future Health Professionals, a FFA member and captain of her volleyball and basketball teams. She plans to attend the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and prepare for a career as an occupational therapist.

Abigail Barnett, Level II Outdoor Recreation/Shooting Sports

The Level II state winner in the outdoor recreation/shooting sports project is Abigail Barnett from Sumner County. Abigail is the 18-year-old daughter of Chuck and Amy Barnett of Portland. A major component of her project work was teaching over 100 4th and 5th graders the fundamentals of archery. She enjoyed sharing the skills she had learned and found it rewarding to see the progression they made from their first meeting to the state jamboree. Abigail has also been an active participant in judging team competitions. She has been a member of the reserve champion national poultry judging team, the reserve champion Western National Roundup Family and Consumer Sciences quiz bowl team, the reserve champion national 4-H wildlife judging team and the champion Tennessee meats judging team. When asked what part of the 4-H program has taught her the most, Abigail says it’s citizenship. She has  loved not only helping people in her community, but also bringing others together to make a difference in the community. Abigail is a freshman at the University of Mississippi majoring in Southern studies. She is planning a career as an orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine.

Amelia Langford, Level II Performing Arts

The Level II state winner in the performing arts/recreation project is Amelia Langford from Dyer County. Amelia is a senior at Dyersburg High School and the daughter of Thomas and Alicia Langford of Dyersburg. As part of her project work, Amelia worked with 30 4-H members at a local elementary school to help them learn about theatre and the performing arts. She is a member of the Tennessee 4-H Performing Arts Troupe, making appearances at 4-H events and fairs across the state. She has previously a Level I state winner in her project and was the teen leader for the performing arts delegates to Tennessee Junior High 4-H Academic Conference. Amelia participates in public speaking competition, consumer decision making, Family and Consumer Sciences skillathon and horse bowl. She says working with younger 4-H members has taught her patience, love, and kindness. Amelia is a 4-H Honor Club and All Star member, president of her school’s drama club, serves as her school mascot, and a Model UN delegate.

Spencer Nelson, Level II Personal Development

The Level II state winner in the personal development project is Spenser Nelson of Washington County. Spenser has been a 4-H member for seven years and is the son of Robert and Mairlyn Nelson of Johnson City. He is a 4-H Honor Club and All Star member and has received the 4-H Vol State award. He was a member of his county Grill Masters’ team, consumer decision making judging team, family and consumer sciences skillathon team, and forestry project group. Spencer has served as a senior representative on State 4-H Council and president of his county 4-H Honor Club. He plays the piano and is active in the Boy Scouts of America, serving as senior patrol leader. Spencer is attending East Tennessee State University and majoring in rehabilitation health science.

Mattie Smith, Level II Photography

Mattie Smith of Meigs County is the Level II winner in the photography project. She is the daughter of Anthony and Ashley Smith of Ten Mile and a nine-year 4-H member. During the past year, Mattie decided to focus her photography efforts on one aspect, showcasing the rugged lifestyle of farming and ranching. She has served on State 4-H Council as a junior representative and state All Star chief and was selected as a Tennessee 4-H Congress youth coordinator. All these leadership opportunities have allowed her to collaborate and share her 4-H story with many individuals and 4-H stakeholders. Mattie is a freshman at Tarleton State University in Texas studying agriculture communications.

Abigail Berny, Level II Poultry

Abigail Berny of Peytonville is the Level II state winner in the poultry project. This Williamson County high school senior is the daughter of Doug and Tracie Berny. Abigail owns and operates her own poultry business, “The Poultry House.” She is responsible for the care, maintenance, and biosecurity of her flock. She has been involved in teaching poultry subjects at her county’s Farming Fundamentals classes and 4-H poultry project group meetings. Abigail is also involved in the beef, veterinary science, and communications projects and has been a member of her county’s poultry, livestock, and dairy judging teams. She enjoys going to state level events because they have helped her make important relationships and learn from others about their project experiences. She has served in many leadership roles including Tennessee 4-H Junior High Academic Conference teen leader, 4-H livestock leadership team member, FFA chapter vice president, ROTC platoon sergeant and church leadership team member.

Chloe Brasher, Level II Sheep

Chloe Brasher of Gibson County was named the Level II state winner in the sheep project. Chole is the daughter of Michael and Misty Brasher of Medina and a 2023 graduate of South Gibson High School. This nine-year 4-H member’s project work has enabled her to exhibit 10 quality market lambs and commercial ewes for the Tennessee show circuit. She has been quite successful in the show ring. She is the reserve champion Tennessee showman and holds 10 state titles, including grand champion Dorset Advantage ewe at the 2022 state show. She participates on her county’s 4-H livestock judging team which qualified for the state contest this year. She says she has learned “a ton” of responsibility through her projects and has developed her leadership skills. She served as a teen leader at Junior 4-H camp. Chloe is very active in her youth group at church and is a member of her church choir. She is attending the University of Tennessee at Martin where she is majoring in pre-veterinary medicine.

Maddie Rippy, Level II Swine

Maddie Rippy, the daughter of Jason and Amanda Rippy of Bethpage, is the Level II state winner in the swine project. Maddie has been involved in the swine project for nine years. She operates and manages Rippy Girls Farm in Sumner County. She breeds and raises pigs for production, swine shows, and market. She says that throughout her 4-H career there have been many amazing mentors that have helped her grow her knowledge and love for swine. Maddie was the senior Level II showmanship champion, senior Level II skillathon champion, and premier breed gilt exhibitor and the state show. A highlight for her was being a member of four different teams that represented Tennessee at the national level. While in 4-H, Maddie has learned the importance of having strong values, developing life skills and being a mentor to others. This freshman at Murray State University in Kentucky is majoring in pre-veterinary medicine. She plans to become a large animal veterinarian focusing on reproduction and genetics.

Bristol Brown, Level II Veterinary Science

Bristol Brown of Anderson County is this year’s Level II state winner in the veterinary science project. Bristol is a high school senior and the son of Jason and Breanna Stanford of Knoxville. His project work has centered around caring for his more than 200 sheep. He enjoys showing all species of livestock and is involved in the beef, swine, and poultry projects in addition to sheep. Bristol says the best thing that has happened to him in 4-H is getting to make amazing friends and great memories. He credits 4-H with helping to make him a better person and changing him for the better. 4-H has given him many leadership opportunities. He is a member of the Eastern Region All Star Council, president of his county 4-H Honor Club, and a senior representative on the State 4-H Council. He enjoys volunteering and was awarded a Presidential Volunteer Service Gold Award. Bristol plans to attend the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and major in animal science. He is considering a career as an Extension agent.