Two Emanuel County 4-H members and their local 4-H agent were recognized among Georgia's best during the 83rd Annual Georgia 4-H State Congress, held July 21–24 at the Crowne Plaza Ravinia in Atlanta.
State Congress is Georgia 4-H's premier leadership event, bringing together more than 500 outstanding high school 4-H members from across the state to compete in Project Achievement, participate in leadership development, elect state officers, and celebrate excellence in youth development.
Representing Emanuel County were Yasmin Rios and Lauren Sapp, who both earned statewide recognition for their accomplishments.
Sapp was named State Winner and Master 4-H'er in the Festive Foods for Health project. Master 4-H'er is the highest honor awarded through Georgia 4-H Project Achievement and recognizes youth who demonstrate excellence through public speaking, leadership, community service, and project work.
Rios represented Emanuel County and placed second in the Entrepreneurship project. She was recognized as a Master 4-H’er for her selection as a National 4-H Conference Delegate.
Project Achievement is one of Georgia 4-H's signature leadership programs. Throughout the year, participants conduct in-depth research in a project area of their choice, develop public speaking skills through formal presentations, complete leadership and service activities, and interview with industry professionals during State Congress competition.
In addition to youth recognition, Emanuel County 4-H Extension Agent Jakyn Tyson received the prestigious William H. Booth Award, one of the highest honors presented to a Georgia 4-H professional.
The William H. Booth Award recognizes Extension agents for outstanding career achievement, innovative programming, and exceptional service to youth and their communities. Tyson was honored for her 18 years of dedication to Georgia Extension and 4-H, during which she has impacted thousands of youth and families through leadership development, financial literacy education, career readiness programming, and community partnerships.
Throughout her career, Tyson has secured more than $350,000 in grants and donations to expand opportunities for local youth, coached 42 state-winning Master 4-H'ers, served as President of the Georgia Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals, and delivered more than 75 state and national professional presentations.
"I'm incredibly proud of Lauren and Yasmin for representing Emanuel County so well," Tyson said. "Watching young people grow into confident leaders through 4-H is the greatest reward, and it's an honor to celebrate their accomplishments alongside recognition of our county's program."
Georgia 4-H reaches hundreds of thousands of young people each year through University of Georgia Extension and provides hands-on experiences that build leadership, citizenship, communication, and life skills.
For more information about Emanuel County 4-H and upcoming programs, contact the Emanuel County Extension Office at 478-237-1226 or visit extension.uga.edu/county-offices/emanuel.
