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Kimble: 4-H spring roundup
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Cheap Tickets
Spring is a busy time of year for 4-H'ers, with many of our competitive teams heading off to district and state competitions.

We're also preparing for summer activities and camps, so it's not too late to come in and get in on this year's fun.

We have events available for everyone from age 9 all the way up through high school.

Additionally, the Newton 4-H office sells the cheapest Six Flags and White Water tickets around!
You don't have to be a 4-H'er to get these great discounts - just come by the office on the second floor of the Newton County Administration building from 8 a.m. to noon or 1 to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday.

Six Flags season passes are $63 and day passes are $36. White Water season passes are $53, and day passes are $30. These are cash only prices, with no additional taxes or fees added.

Not only do you save on the final price at the park or online, but you'll also support Newton 4-H programs with your purchase.

If you're purchasing for a large group, please call in advance in case we need to order additional tickets for you.


Now, good luck to our upcoming competitors, and congratulations to those who have already competed!

Project SAFE
The Project SAFE (Shooting Awareness, Fun and Education) BB team has seven members headed to the state competition next weekend.

Fourteen shooters competed at the district level, with one entire team of 7 qualifying for state.
The team is coached by volunteer 4-H leaders Dennis Bledsoe, Eric Cummings, and Scott McCord, and assisted by many parents volunteers.

Each 4-H'er must focus first on safety, and then on marksmanship in four positions.

Team members competing on a district level were home school fourth grader Ethan Carter and fifth grader Micah Butler.

Sixth grade home school 4-H'ers were Sydney Crandall, Ransley Cummings, Elayna Guerrero and Audrey Holder. Seventh graders were Reilly Cummings, MaKenzy McCord and Christian Taylor.

Also competing were Tyler Warren, a Fairview Elementary fourth grader; Jacob Bledsoe, an eighth grader at Woodlee's Christian Academy, and Liberty Middle School students Kayla Gartner, a sixth grader, and Kacie Gartner and Kara Gartner, both seventh graders.

Other team members who have competed with the team this year but were unable to compete at district are Julia Towns, a fifth grader at Heard-Mixon Elementary and James Neph, a fourth grade home school student.


Cloverleafs
Also on April 14, 37 Cloverleaf 4-H'ers will compete at District Project Achievement in Douglasville.

Each 4-H'er has a four to six minute presentation with posters and props, or a four minute performance to present.

Tomorrow, seven 4-H'ers will compete at the district poultry judging competition.
They have studied white leghorn laying hens and will be able to place four hens in order by their past laying performance.

Laying performance can be determined by clues such as bleaching and handling qualities.

They will also grade the exterior and interior quality of eggs, grade ready-to-cook birds, and identify chicken parts, as well as present oral reasons.


State Live-Stock Judging Competition
Last month, six 4-H'ers competed at the state livestock judging competition in Athens.

The team learned to judge market and breeding animals including beef cattle, lambs, hogs and goats.

In addition to being able to place 4 animals in order by their qualities, each 4-H'er also had to give two sets of oral reasons and take a written test.

Top scores went to sixth grader Kayla Gartner of Liberty Middle School.

Other team members were Kacie Gartner and Kara Gartner, both seventh graders at Liberty Middle; MaKenzy McCord and Reilly Cummings, both seventh grade home school students; and Ransley Cummings, a sixth grade home school student.


Relay for Life
4-H'ers are also preparing for Relay for Life.

Eastside senior Ken Galloway serves on the county Relay committee, helping to make the entire event a success.

The 4-H team is captained by Eastside sophomore Michelle Lewis and her mother, Colleen Lewis.

Relay for Life will take place April 27 and 28 at the Church at Covington, raising thousands of dollars for cancer research and education.

Your donations are tax-deductible, and can be made out directly to the American Cancer Society.


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