During the 2024 Tennessee 4-H Congress held March 10-13, 4-H’ers from across the state came together to compete in various competitions, enjoy fellowship and participate in usual Congress activities. Congratulations to all adult and youth winners.
Adult Awards
4-H Salute to Excellence and Volunteer of the Year
Mike Glasgow from Cheatham County, who also won the U.S. Southern Region component for this award.
4-H Salute to Excellence, Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer
Melissa Graf from Jefferson County
Brown/Gilliam Family Legacy Award
The Hilliard Family, Crockett County
4-H’er Project Winners
Level II – Grades 11th and 12th
Level II Leadership Winner – Caroline Garrell, Lincoln County
Level II Citizenship Winner – MaeLee Williamson, Giles County
Level I – Grades 9th and 10th
Level I Leadership Winner – Sowmil Kumble, Williamson County
Level I Citizenship Winner – Shelby Thames, Williamson County
Public Speaking
Each year, there are more than 48,000 speeches given in local 4-H public speaking contests across Tennessee. Out of these, 24 4-H members competed for state honors. This year, the public speaking contest was hosted at the 77th Tennessee 4-H Congress. Participants delivered their prepared and extemporaneous speeches to eight judges. The judges then evaluated each speech for organization, accuracy and effect. 4-H members competed to earn a cash award from the Henry County Extension staff and a silver bowl provided by the Lute Truett Memorial Fund. In addition, the 11th grade state winner received a $500 scholarship provided by the friends and family of Lorna Norwood in her memory and the 12th grade state winner received a $1,000 scholarship provided by the family of Leon Foster in his memory.
The participants in the 9th-grade division were:
Marlee Bradford – Lincoln County
Zee Carnes – Blount County
Hollyn Dickey – Perry County
Impana Dymenahalli – Williamson County
Claire Lumpkins – Knox County
Calleigh Phillips – McNairy County
Marlee Bradford of Lincoln County was named the state winner, receiving a silver bowl and a cash award.
The participants in the 10th-grade division were:
Lyla Finchum – Jefferson County
Catherine Gibson – Hardeman County
John Hancock – Wilson County
John Everett Martin – Hancock County
Brianna Raymond – Stewart County
Shelby Thames – Williamson County
John Hancock of Wilson County was named the state winner, receiving a silver bowl and a $500 scholarship provided by Jared Pickens.
The participants in the 11th-grade division were:
Jade Combs – Hancock County
Elisha Gaugh – Madison County
Jackson Hall – Jefferson County
Gabe Harville – Smith County
Isaac Welch – Wayne County
MaeLee Williamson – Giles County
MaeLee Williamson of Giles County was named the state winner, receiving a $500 scholarship provided by the friends and family of Lorna Norwood in her memory, a silver bowl and a cash award.
The participants in the 12th-grade division were:
Haley Aldridge – Crockett County
Abigail Berny – Williamson County
Amelia Langford – Dyer County
Brody Metcalf – Franklin County
Carolina Shank – Hamilton County
Sophia Winauski – Sevier County
Abigail Berny of Williamson County was named the state winner, receiving a $1,000 scholarship provided by the family of Leon Foster in his memory, a silver bowl and a cash award.
Congratulations to all the contestants. The hard work and dedication of each participant were evident in the creative and informative speeches.
Thank the donors and judges for investing time, energy and resources into the 4-H members of Tennessee.