Facebook/Tennessee 4-H
During the last full week of July, 4-H’ers from around the state gathered in Knoxville for the 2019 Roundup and All Star Conference. For youth throughout the state of Tennessee, the 4-H Roundup is the pinnacle moment for their year of hard work and dedication to both the program and their individual project work. This year, 34 exceptional students were honored at the Level II ranking. Congratulations to this year’s winners!
Ag Leadership Project: Kennedy Hill
Kennedy Hill of Union County was named the state level II winner in the Ag Leadership Project. Through the Swine Project, Hill has been able to establish herself as a leader by teaching younger showmen about swine and offering up help whenever she can, as well as serving as a teen leader for two years at Junior 4-H Camp. In addition to winning at this year’s Roundup, Hill has also received the Senior Level Premier Exhibitor Award at the State Hog Show and placed in the top five showmen category for the past five years. She also won the Eastern Region Reserve Grand Champion Crossbred Breeding Gilt with one the pigs from her own sow operation. She is an officer on this year’s 4-H State Council and has served on the Eastern Region All-Star Council. Outside of her project work, she has participated in service projects in her community and beyond, but her favorite is Sole Hope. After she graduates, Hill hopes to attend the University of Tennessee in Knoxville where she will pursue a degree in agriculture education.
Beef Project: Jana Owen
Jana Owen has a wide array of interests, and her experience with a variety of livestock segments helped her earn the title of Level II Beef Project Winner this year. Through her projects, Jana has shown a number of goats and cattle, competing in livestock, dairy, meats and poultry judging competitions throughout the state. Additionally, Owen is the State Council vice president, this year’s Tennessee Cattlemen’s Youth Ambassador and the recipient of the Lincoln County Livestock Association’s Outstanding Youth Award. Outside of her 4-H work, she participates in several service organizations whose work includes creating blessing bags for local nursing homes, making shoes for people in Uganda and helping with her community’s Special Olympics. After graduation, Owen hopes to attend the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and obtain a degree in animal science with a minor in agricultural communications.
Citizenship Project: Jordan Bowling
This year’s Citizenship Project winner is Jordan Bowling of Anderson County. During her time as a 4-H’er, Bowling has participated in many aspects of the Citizenship Project. She has worked as a camp youth counselor for Camp BaYoCa, volunteered in several capacities for children with special needs and completed sewing projects for those in need through her time as the 4-H Clover Adventure Camp sewing instructor. As a leader, Bowling has attended the National 4-H Congress, received the Governor’s Youth Volunteer Star Award, served on the state council as All-Star Chief and held many regional positions. Outside of her 4-H work, she serves her community and puts her skills to good use, creating Easter baskets and sewing Christmas gifts for children in foster care. Bowling’s ultimate goal is to become a pediatrician, and she plans to attend the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.
Citizenship Project: Marynia Harris
Hailing from Warren County is Marynia Harris, this year’s Citizenship Project winner. As a 4-H’er, Harris has participated in FCS Skillathon, attended the National Healthy Living Summit and focused her efforts on service in her local community. As a leader, she has served as the Warren County Honor Club president and secretary, a Healthy Living Ambassador, the June Dairy Month Chairman, and a Central Region All Star scout. Harris plans to attend Lipscomb University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in fine arts. Her ultimate goal is to pursue a degree in the animation industry.
Clothing & Textiles Project: Kelsey Moore
This year’s Level II winner for the Clothing & Textiles Project is Kelsey Moore. The Williamson County native has participated in several different activities in conjunction with her project work, including serving as a teen leader for sewing club classes, leading pattern workshops and acting as the Chairperson for her county’s fashion shows. Moore’s tireless dedication to her project work has awarded her the opportunity to show her work in the All-Star Exhibit, where she placed fifth and won with her portfolio at the state level. Outside of her project work, Moore is an active participant in her community through her work with Operation Christmas Child, donating funds to purchase items for those in the Tennessee foster care system, and volunteering her time with 4-H during the county fair. After graduation, she plans on attending the University of Tennessee in Knoxville where she will pursue a degree in food science in her goal to work in research and development of new food products for major food companies and suppliers.
Communications Project: Katherine Anne Thierfelder
Katherine Anne Thierfelder of Madison County is the state winner in the Level II Communications Project. Throughout her time in the 4-H program, Thierfelder has been involved in public speaking and horse judging. In addition to her project work, she has been State 4-H Congress governor and the Western Region senior representative and held many offices in her county Honor Club. She has also held positions as Junior High 4-H Camp and 4-H OWLS Camp conference assistant, and Horse Project teen leader. Outside of 4-H, Thierfelder has participated in many service projects around her community, including organizing and participating in the Angel Tree at her church and volunteering at the Humane Society, Cypress Grove, Rein-Bow Riding Academy and Operation Christmas Child. When she graduates, she plans to study creative writing and public communications to become a writer or motivational speaker.
Companion Animal Project: Joshua Wade
This year’s Companion Animal Project winner is Joshua Wade from Bedford County. Wade’s work with various projects has awarded him scholarships at both the Level I and Level II arenas. He also won Best in Show at the Bedford County Dog Show. In addition to his project work, Wade has held many offices, including speaker of the House, Central Region junior representative, and State All Star deputy chief. Outside of his project work, Wade has been involved with his local Honor Club performing service projects in his community. When he graduates, he plans to attend Texas A&M University to pursue a degree in agriculture. In the future, he hopes to become a marine farmer.
Computers & Technology Project: Joshua Sherritze
Joshua Sherritze of Union County is the state winner in the Level II Computers and Technology Project. Throughout his time in the 4-H program, Sherritze has participated in GIS and received awards in several competitions through his project. In addition to his project work, Sherritze has been president, vice president and sergeant of arms of his county Honor Club. Outside of his 4-H work, Sherritze has served his community by planting flowers for a church’s garden, mowing lawns for elderly neighbors, working in local food pantries and helping with Christmas for families. He hopes to attend Walters State Community College to pursue a degree in computer networking.
Consumer Education & Economics Project: Allyson Hanna
Allyson Hanna of Union County is the state winner in the Level II Consumer Education/Economics Project. Throughout her time in the 4-H program, Hanna has given presentations to middle school classes teaching students how to be thoughtful consumers and taught younger kids how to sew. Through her project work, Hanna has won awards at the 2019 4-H Fashion Conference, Senior Level I and II, and the Super Star Award in the Union County Honor Club. In addition to her project work, Hanna has held many offices in Honor Club, been a teen leader at Junior High 4-H camp and is one of this year’s Healthy Living Ambassadors. Outside of her project work, she has participated in many service projects around her community, including Operation Christmas Child, made dog toys for the local shelter, sewn bags for the local women’s shelter, and made Sole Hope shoes for children in Africa. Hanna plans on attending the University of Tennessee to pursue a degree in business and management.
Consumer Education & Economics Project: Brandon Hernandez
Brandon Hernandez from Madison County is one of this year’s Level II Consumer Education/Economic Project winners. Through 4-H, Hernandez has been part of several aspects of his project, including making budgeting plans and teaching economics to the community. He has served as president of the Madison County Honor Club and senior representative of the Tennessee 4-H State Council. Outside of 4-H, Hernandez is an active member of his community and is involved in many outreach projects. He plans to attend Union University where he will pursue a degree in business.
Dairy Project: Jayme Ozburn
This year’s Dairy Project winner is Jayme Ozburn. The Marshall County resident has participated in various activities through his project work, including showing animals, teaching youth and participating in the Dairy Quiz Bowl and judging teams. Additionally, Ozburn has won Showmanship at both the state and national levels, was named the Supreme Champion Cow Winner at the Tennessee State Fair, and is a member of the Dairy Quiz Bowl State Champion team. Ozburn has served as the secretary for the Marshall County Honor Club and is an active member of his local community. He plans on attending the University of Tennessee in Knoxville to pursue a degree in animal science with a focus on animal industries. He hopes to work for UT Extension or own his own farm.
Engineering & Safety Science Project: Jason Benson
Jason Benson of Rutherford County is the state winner in the Level II Engineering and Safety Science Project. Throughout his time in 4-H, Benson has focused his talents around the Agriculture Mechanics Club, which he started and still runs today. In addition to his project work, Benson has held many leadership roles that have pushed him outside his comfort zone. He says that 4-H has also taught him that life is not about what you can do for yourself, but what you can do for others. When he graduates, Benson plans to attend Tennessee Technological University to study mechanical engineering.
Entomology Project: Analynn Jones
This year’s Entomology Project winner is Analynn Jones of Robertson County. Through her Entomology Project work, she started a butterfly garden in her community and began a cricket business. In addition to her project work, Jones has held several offices in the Robertson County Honor Club, served on Central Region 4-H All Star Council and was one of her county’s Healthy Living Ambassadors and a June Dairy Month Chairman. Outside of 4-H, Jones has participated in numerous service projects in her community, including a reading hour at the local library, cleaning up the community and participating in a local canned food drive. She also assists her community with a fundraiser for Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. When she graduates, Jones plans to pursue a degree in archeology/paleontology to become a paleontologist.
FCS Leadership Project: Riley Walker
This year’s Leadership Project winner is Riley Walker. The Benton County native has participated in June Dairy Month, worked with local schools to create a community walking track and has focused efforts on further developing the Power U Program within the Benton County School System. Walker has also served as a project group leader for Dairy Foods and Food Nutrition and is the School Coordinated Health Youth Leader of the Year. She has served on the State 4-H Council as Western junior representative and is a teen leader at camp and group project leader. Her main service project focuses on the Roundup’s efforts to help children in the Tennessee foster care system. When she graduates, Walker plans on attending the University of Tennessee at Martin to pursue a degree in the medical field. Her ultimate goal is to become a physical therapist.
Food Science Project: Evan England
Evan England of Marion County is one of this year’s winners in the Food Science Project category. Throughout his time in 4-H, England has been involved in many activities, including participating in multiple national cookoffs and holding positions as the Marion County June Dairy Month Chairman and the July Beef Month Chairman. England was also named the winner of the Great American Seafood Cookoff in Louisiana and the Tennessee June Dairy Month Media Award. In terms of leadership, England has been the captain of his county culinary arts team, president of his high school club, teen leader at culinary camp and a volunteer at the National Cornbread Festival Cookoff. He hopes to major in political science and become a politician.
Food Science Project: Mia Selvidge
Mia Selvidge of Loudon County is one of this year’s winners in the Food Science Project. Through her project work, Selvidge has participated in biscuit baking, been on an outdoor meat cookery team, provided meals to a local church and served as a Healthy Living Ambassador. As a leader, Selvidge has held many offices, including president, reporter and secretary for the Loudon County Honor Club and captain of the outdoor meat cookery and biscuit baking teams. Selvidge works hard in her community, often making care packages for college students, packing boxes for Operation Christmas Child and assisting with the Great Northwestern Achievement Day.
Forestry, Wildlife & Fisheries Project: Austin Parker
One of this year’s Forestry, Wildlife & Fisheries Project winners is Austin Parker of Sumner County. Parker has also participated in shooting sports camp, taught a wildlife judging class and hosted a wildlife workshop on pelts and calls. Additionally, he has participated in shooting sports and poultry judging. Parker is a member of the State and National Champion Wildlife Judging Contest, winning multiple individual placings. In his community, Parker has donated school and cleaning supplies to those in need, donated food for a homeless shelter and participated in various community outreach projects like the Angel Tree.
Forestry, Wildlife & Fisheries Project: Gareth Eller
Gareth Eller is this year’s other Forestry, Wildlife & Fisheries project winner. Eller has participated in various competitions and projects throughout his time in 4-H, including shooting sports, Citizenship Washington Focus and serving as a Healthy Living Ambassador. As a leader, Eller has held several offices in the Robertson County Honor Club, served as his school’s 4-H Club president, and been a leader for service projects, judging teams and his school’s healthy living after school program. Additionally, Eller is a very active member of his community, working with A Soldier’s Child Foundation, which purchases, wraps and ships birthday presents to children of fallen soldiers. When he graduates, Eller plans on attending Western Kentucky University to study finance. In the future, he would like to become a financial advisor and join the military.
Horse Project: Sierra Rigsby
This year’s Horse Project winner is Sierra Rigsby. Rigsby is very active in the Williamson County 4-H community, participating in Hippology, Horse Bowl and Horse Judging. She has been awarded an Outstanding Citizenship Award, Outstanding 4-Her award and multiple state champion awards at the 4-H State Horse Show. In addition to her project work, Rigsby has held an officer position for the past three years, and this year served as the Williamson County Honor Club president and 4-H ambassador for the county. Rigsby volunteers regularly, visiting the Ronald McDonald House, helping at the therapeutic riding academy and volunteering at local nursing homes. When she graduates, Rigsby plans to attend the University of Tennessee in Knoxville to pursue a degree in equine science. In the future, she would like to work with equine rehabilitation and become a trainer.
Horticulture & Gardening: Annaleigh Escobar
Annaleigh Escobar is one of this year’s Horticulture & Gardening Project winners. The Dyer County resident has participated in various 4-H activities, including serving as a senior mentor for others, and has even received the Greenhand Award. Escobar has volunteered in many places across the southeast and pursued service opportunities at the county, state and national levels. When she graduates, Escobar hopes to attend college in Knoxville, where she will pursue a degree in political science.
Horticulture Project: Alex Moore
This year’s Horticulture Project is Alex Moore from Lincoln County. Moore enjoys working in gardens in conjunction with his project work and also participates in meats judging and the livestock quiz bowl. In addition to his project work, Moore has been involved in his county Honor Club as vice president and is involved in several local service projects, including designing and building flower boxes for local businesses and helping neighbors and church members with odd jobs. When he graduates, Moore plans to attend Tennessee College of Applied Technology.
Leadership Project: Sorrell Martin
Sorrell Martin is this year’s Leadership Project winner. The Lincoln County resident is involved with various 4-H projects, including showing cattle, public speaking and the 4-H State Performing Arts Troupe. In addition to her project-centered work, Martin has been State 4-H Congress Governor, a Healthy Living Ambassador and a Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association Youth Ambassador. She is also an active member of her community and has participated in several service projects, including organizing book drives for her county and project group meetings for Operation Christmas Child and Bear Buddies. She has also raised money for the Ronald McDonald House and volunteers with her local Angel Tree. When she graduates, Martin plans to attend the University of Tennessee in Knoxville to study speech pathology and hopes to work with special needs children.
Line & Design Project: Laura Grace Jenkins
Laura Grace Jenkins of Hawkins County is one of this year’s Line & Design Project winners. Throughout her time in 4-H, Jenkins has been an active participant in her local sewing project group and sewing service group. Jenkins has held many leadership positions, including serving on the Eastern Region All-Star Council for three years, serving as a State Council junior representative, holding numerous Honor Club offices and working as this year’s State Council president. When she graduates, Jenkins plans to attend the University of Tennessee in Knoxville to pursue a degree in agriculture communications and eventually move on to law school.
Line & Design Project: Tabitha Jenkins
Tabitha Jenkins is one of this year’s Line & Design Project winners. The Wilson County resident is an active participant in many 4-H activities and has been recognized by the Wilton Brand and fellow cake designers worldwide for her talent. Outside of her project work through 4-H, Jenkins is an active member of her community, packing boxes for Operation Christmas Child, donating funds to those in the Tennessee foster care system and volunteering at the Wilson County Fair. Jenkins’ future plans involve studying English and working towards her goal of becoming a teacher or writer.
Meat Goat Project: Eli Dotson
This year’s Meat Goat Project winner is Eli Dotson of Lincoln County. Dotson is an active participant in 4-H and has worked in livestock judging, providing goats to other 4-H’ers to show and displaying goats for National Ag Day. Through his project work, Dotson has been the state goat show’s showmanship winner and the Heart of Tennessee’s Premier Exhibitor in Commercial Doe. Dotson also enjoys being a student mentor for autistic and foster children and is a referee for a junior pro basketball league. When he graduates, Dotson hopes to attend the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and study agribusiness.
Nutrition, Health & Fitness Project: Ivy Adams
Ivy Adams of Sumner County is this year’s winner of the level II Nutrition, Health and Fitness Project. Throughout her time in 4-H, Adams has taught multiple Healthy Living workshops and has served as a Healthy Living Ambassador and Health Rocks Teen Leader. She has also created a healthy cookbook that was distributed after each workshop she taught and did a televised interview and yoga workshop by the UTIA Communications Department. Outside of 4-H, Adams has participated in many service opportunities and has worked tirelessly to create health kits for people facing homelessness. She has also built care packages for local law enforcement officers and participated in Project Linus and Operation Backpack. Adams plans to attend Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and pursue a degree in aviation management. She aspires to be an airline pilot.
Nutrition, Health & Fitness Project: Maddie Ashburn
Maddie Ashburn is one of this year’s Nutrition, Health & Fitness Project winners. Through her project work, Ashburn has participated in the Great American Seafood Competition, the National Healthy Living Summit, LifeSmarts and Food Challenge. Ashburn has led various healthy living workshops, served as the June Dairy Month and July Beef month Chairmen and was on the leadership team for Anti-Tobacco Promotion. Outside of her 4-H project work, Ashburn has served her community through packing food for homeless shelters and soldiers overseas, hosting clothing drives, volunteering at the Special Olympics, and donating items to Hope Lodge. After graduation, Ashburn plans to attend the University of Tennessee in Knoxville to study animal science and hopes to one day become a veterinarian.
Performing Arts & Recreation Project: Lydia Todd
This year’s Performing Arts & Recreation Project winner is Lydia Todd from Gibson County. Throughout her time involved in 4-H, Todd has been active with Congress, Roundup and her county’s Honor Club, where she served as president and vice president. She is also a volunteer teen leader for the county’s Health Rocks program and enjoys making blankets for foster children and shoes for the homeless. Outside of 4-H, Todd is involved with her school’s band and soccer team. Todd’s future goals include working as a child psychologist.
Personal Development Project: Chloe Weaver
Chloe Weaver is this year’s Personal Development Project winner. A Knox County resident, Weaver has been involved in various segments of her project work, including participating on the Consumer Decision Making Team and studying international politics and business. Through her project-related work, Weaver has received second high individual in the state Consumer Decision Making Contest and helped her team place first and then advance to the national contest where they placed fifth. For the past five years, Weaver has been a teen leader for Junior 4-H Camp and a leader at the local recreation center. Weaver’s interest in international service has led her to crafting pillowcase dresses for girls in Haiti and shoes for people in Uganda. Weaver hopes to attend the University of Tennessee and pursue a degree in global studies. Eventually, she’d like to apply for the Peace Corps with the hopes of working on humanitarian efforts and discovering her long-term career goals.
Plant Science Project: Ethan Hitchcock
Growing up on his family’s farm, Ethan Hitchcock has always been around agriculture, but it wasn’t until the last several years that plant sciences really piqued his interest. The Warren County resident has used his experiences on the farm to inform his project work as he cared for 6 acres of pumpkins and other crops and worked in the university test garden, growing pumpkins, working in a nursery and giving back to the community from the farm. Hitchcock’s work has awarded him scholarships at both the Level I and II arenas and afforded him the opportunity to attend the Walmart Healthy Living Conference and Healthy Living Summit. Hitchcock has served in several different offices during his time as a 4-H’er, including Council Junior and Senior Member at large, Central Region Southeast Area representative and Warren County Honor Club service chairman and vice president.
Poultry Project: Ryan Baker
Ryan Baker of Benton County is this year’s Poultry Project winner. Through his project work, Baker has bred and raised chickens and has won several awards at the fair and the Chick-Chain project. As a leader, Baker has held several offices in his county Honor Club, served as a member of the West Tennessee All-Stars and attended the Farm Bureau Tennessee Leadership Summit. After graduation, Baker plans to attend the University of Tennessee at Martin where he hopes to pursue a degree in wildlife biology and work for TWRA as a wildlife biologist.
Sheep Project: Daniel Tallent
This year’s sheep project winner is Daniel Tallent. Daniel is very committed to his project and has been heavily involved in breeding, raising and showing his own sheep. The Knox County resident has brought stock to Farm Day to teach children about agriculture and show the public how to shear wool and process it. Tallent has been awarded the title of Grand Champion for Fleece at the state sheep show and won the Sheep Skillathon. Outside of his project work, Tallent has participated in various service projects like Operation Christmas Child, made Valentine’s cards for the local children’s hospital and raised money for the Tennessee foster care system. After graduation, Tallent hopes to attend the University of Tennessee in Knoxville to study animal science and hopes to one day be a mixed-practice veterinarian.
Swine Project: Cassie Lewis
Cassie Lewis is this year’s Swine Project winner. Lewis’ dedication to her project spans across nearly a decade of work raising and showing pigs and serving as a mentor for beginning showman. She has been State Council junior and senior representative and the West Tennessee All Star Area representative. In addition to her project work, Lewis has served in many other capacities, including this year’s Junior Agent in Training for Lauderdale County, Swine Project leader, Honor Club President, Healthy Living Ambassador and June Dairy Month Chairman. Outside of 4-H, Lewis enjoys volunteering in her local community garden, doing crafts for nursing homes, and collecting canned goods for the local food pantry and other supplies for those in her community. Lewis plans on attending the University of Tennessee at Martin to pursue a degree in agriculture education or agriculture communications and one day become an extension agent or work with RFD-TV.
Veterinary Science Project: Avery Chandler
This year’s Veterinary Science Project winner is Avery Chandler. Throughout his time in the 4-H program, Chandler has raised and shown market sheep and shown dogs with his family. The work that Chandler has put into his project has awarded him multiple honors at the regional and state sheep show, as well as the Silver Bowl and scholarship for Veterinary Science. Chandler has also used his skills on the county livestock judging team, helping his team excel to a national competition. He has served as the Anderson County Honor Club President and captain of both the poultry and livestock judging teams. Outside of his project work, Chandler enjoys using his leadership skills to better the lives of others. When he graduates, he would like to attend the University of Tennessee in Knoxville to pursue a degree in animal science.