At the 76th Annual Tennessee 4-H Congress in March 2023, delegates from across the state cast their votes for this year’s new officers. As the premiere citizenship event for freshmen and sophomores, Congress is a valuable learning experience for students interested in politics and beyond.

The new officers are Governor MaeLee Williamson, Speaker of the House Alex Snodgrass and Speaker of the Senate Grace Huff. At Congress, the officers had a chance to meet with students from across the state. Delegates were also excited to welcome Tennessee Senators Adam Lowe and Joey Hensley, Representatives Mark Cochran and Clay Doggett, and Governor Bill Lee, who showed up in support of 4-H.

“We have a governor who is very supportive of Tennessee 4-H,” says Jamie Harris, Assistant State 4-H Leader and State 4-H Specialist.

The new officers will plan the agenda for the 77th Congress in 2024, choosing service projects, bills and resolutions and marketing Congress to other 4-H members.

“It’s been a pleasure working with the Congress officers,” Harris says. “The leadership skills that they gain from serving in this role are going to help them throughout their career.”

New Congress Officers

MaeLee Williamson, a rising junior and homeschool student from Giles County, is part of the fourth generation on her family’s cattle farm.

“4-H runs really deep in my family,” Williamson says. “I discovered my own passion for 4-H when I found a love for public speaking in the 6th grade. It helped me form my path in 4-H.”

At the 75th Annual Congress, Williamson was a 9th grade public speaking finalist. This year, she decided to run for Governor in hopes of making an impact on her community.

“My goal is to continue sharing my 4-H story and to help others discover theirs,” Williamson says. Her love for public speaking has led her to become interested in a law career.

“No matter what career pathway I choose, I look forward to giving back to my community and state,” Williamson says.

For Alex Snodgrass of Jefferson County, this year’s Congress was a chance to make lasting connections with 4-H’ers from across the state in his new role as Speaker of the House.

A rising sophomore at Jefferson County High School, Snodgrass is a first-generation 4-H’er who grew up on a 70-acre cattle farm. He first became involved in 4-H through a hog competition in 4th grade, but soon discovered a love for public speaking and politics. He now hopes to pursue a career in evangelism, using skills he has gained through the program.

“I can give speeches in front of hundreds of people, and I have 4-H to thank for that,” Snodgrass says. “I think it’s really going to help me in my future.”

Grace Huff’s 4-H journey began after moving to Tennessee from Ohio. Growing up in the city, Huff says, “I had no idea what 4-H even was.”

Now, Huff represents McMinn County as the new Speaker of the Senate. A rising junior at Tellico Plains High School, Huff was encouraged to get involved in 4-H by a 7th grade teacher. She now helps mentor her two younger brothers as they get started in the program. Huff hopes to use her interpersonal skills to encourage others on their 4-H path.

“It’s scary to go through all of this by yourself,” Huff says. “I want to be a mentor trying to show people and help them through the process.”

A love for chemistry led Huff to become interested in a career in dental hygiene. Meanwhile, during her term as Speaker, she hopes to make an impact on the people of McMinn County and across the state.

“I want to try to get people in my county more involved in state and regional events,” says Huff.

Learning Life Skills

For these officers and the delegates who elected them, Congress was an unforgettable event that epitomized much of what 4-H stands for.

“We try to implement those life skills such as teamwork, responsibility and communication,” Harris says. “We think those are the skills that are important and that will benefit them throughout their life. They will look back on their 4-H career and say ‘I learned that in 4-H.’”