"Every action you take, or don't take, matters," declared 4-H'er Tess Hammock.

There were many speeches at 69th annual State 4-H Congress, the biggest event in Georgia 4-H each year, but state public speaking winner Hammock of Monroe County 4-H will be one of the most remembered speakers.

She discussed the butterfly effect, the idea that a butterfly flapping its wings in one place can set off a chain reaction of events leading to a storm across the world. As her example, she talked about the action of one man, and inaction of another, in an actual battle at Gettysburg. Because of those decisions and actions, perhaps the result of Gettysburg was affected that day. She explained how this might be what helped lead to a unified country, strong enough to face the foes of World War II. And so, the decisions of individuals on one day could be the butterfly effect that changes the world today.

It sure is an interesting idea, and what a great week to ponder the thought.

This week I watched two Newton 4-H'ers present the best work of their 4-H careers.

Rising junior Cati Aevaliotis of Alcovy High competed in the food safety and preservation project with her demonstration on dehydrated apples.

Ken Galloway, a rising senior at Eastside High, presented a demonstration on how our county uses geographic information systems and other computer technology to protect our water quality for the future. They were judged on demonstration and portfolio, a résumé of project, service, and leadership activities. These two youth completed the best project work, leadership and service, and presented the best demonstrations I've ever seen out of either of them. I couldn't be prouder.

Ken finished second in computers, and Cati earned third in food safety and preservation.

I mastered in my demonstration 15 years ago, but I can still remember well the previous year when I didn't quite qualify for State 4-H Congress. I'm not sure where that third place ribbon is any more, but what I do still have from that experience are perhaps more important.

I remember coming home to research a question the judge asked, and practicing even harder to improve my presentation skills. I also remember pouring even more time into my portfolio work that year.

Even if I'd never won at State 4-H Congress, today I know the skills and lessons I learned through the process were my real reward, and they continue to help me today. So I know, without a doubt, that these are two 4-H'ers ready for success.

This week I had the great fortune to talk with other 4-H alumni from Newton and surrounding counties, and whether they competed in the 1950s, 1970s, or just a few years ago each could still recount the experience. Fifteen years from now or 50, I'm positive these 4-H'ers will still be benefiting from the experience.

We were also proud to have our state winning Hippology team represented by Trent Fowler, a rising sophomore at Eastminster, during the annual banquet. Trent, along with team members Lindsay Frost, and Morgan Worley are new master 4-H'ers after their win. The group will represent Georgia at National Quarter Horse Congress this fall.

Additionally, we were joined by Muscogee County 4-H'er Shelby Robidoux, who competed in the dairy foods project. Shelby competed as a fourth grader on the first poultry judging team I coached in Columbus, and our group adopted her as an honorary Newton County 4-H'er.

Ken and Cati can both return if they win at district next year, but for Shelby it was her final competition before beginning college.

All three told me it was an incredible experience which they wouldn't trade for anything. In fact, when asked about the best part, they could only smile and laugh, unable to single out a single activity. And I can't help but smile as I see their hard work and think of that butterfly's wing setting off a world of change.

Terri Kimble is the Newton County 4-H Educator through UGA Cooperative Extension. She can be reached at 770-784-2010 or tkimble@uga.edu.