By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Leadership and résumé development for 4th-12th grades offered
4-H
Lavendar Harris (center), a home school graduate and Georgia State University freshman, mastered in the Wildlife and Marine Science project at State 4-H Congress in July. She is pictured with donors from the McDaniel family (far left and second from right), Newton County 4-H Agent Terri Fullerton (second from left), and Dr. Julie Lucas of the Georgia Master 4-H Club (far right). She is the daughter of Croswell and Jackie Harris of Covington. (Photo Courtesy UGA CAES)

Step Up and Lead for 4th-5th grades

All 4th and 5th grade students are eligible for a free leadership workshop at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24 at Newton High School through Newton County 4-H.

Middle and high school youth trained to lead the Step Up and Lead 4-H workshops will facilitate the activities while parents learn about opportunities for public speaking, leadership and service throughout the year.

Public, private and home school students are encouraged to attend the workshop. 

“I really feel like just giving them a chance to think about what it really means to lead is incredibly powerful,” said one teacher who participated in Step Up and Lead with students.

Fall Break workshops

Fourth through eighth grade students are also invited to register for Fall Break activities to learn about robotics, 3D printing, cooking, crafts, music and more. 

The half-day workshops are only $15 total, and last from 8 a.m. to noon on Oct. 8-10 at the Newton County Extension Office (1113 Usher St., Suite 202, Covington). 

All fourth through 12th-grade students may attend 4-H Day at the Georgia National Fair on Friday, Oct. 11, to see the exhibits and enjoy the rides, for only $38. 

Those participating in all four days of activities get a discounted rate of $50. Space is limited, so register today at 770-784-2010.

Project Achievement for 4th-12th grades

Sixth graders may stay the full day on Tuesday, October 8 to work on presentations and research for the Statewide 4-H Project Achievement coming up in November. Project Achievement is a free overnight competition.

On Wednesday, Oct. 9, seventh through 12th graders will spend the afternoon working on project portfolios of all their service and leadership work, similar to a job résumé. Their competition is in March.

Thursday afternoon, Oct. 10, is available for appointments for any fourth to 12th grader to work on demonstrations or portfolios. 

Project Achievement begins in fourth grade with five to six-minute demonstrations with posters and props on any topic other than junk food. Popular topics include animals, sports, history, science experiments and workforce development. 

They may also enter in a food preparation category to prepare a healthy afterschool snack, or performing arts with a 4-minute performance in vocal, instrumental, acting, comedy or other performances.

In seventh grade, demonstrations increase to eight to 10 minutes and members begin a portfolio of all their project learning, project teaching, leadership and service work. This work includes not only 4-H work, but also anything they complete in school, scouts, church, or the community. 

In high school, demonstrations increase to 10 to 12 minutes, and sharing and teaching increases in importance in the portfolio. High school 4-H’ers may move on to State 4-H Congress if they win at district.

Last year, Newton 4-H’ers Matthew Dibble and Lavendar Harris both earned trips to State 4-H Congress at the Crowne Plaza Ravinia in July.

Both graduated from home school last spring and are currently students at Georgia State University. 

Dibble competed in Family Resource Management with his demonstration on how to manage a family budget to meet goals and purchase a home. He finished 4th in the state.

Harris presented about her work with white-tail deer at Bear Hollow Zoo in Athens over the last 5 years, and earned first place in Wildlife and Marine Science. 

By winning at state, Harris earned the title Master 4-H’er. She has also mastered in the Dean’s Award for Leadership for her cumulative leadership portfolio since 7th grade, and in National Conference for her interview skills and portfolio. 

She will be honored with a trip to National 4-H Congress in November along with nearly 1,000 4-H members from the United States, including Puerto Rico. 

To being the Project Achievement process, contact 4-H staff at 770-784-2010 to learn more or make an appointment to get started with your fourth to 12th-grade student.