4-H judging teams compete at district level

Throughout the 4-H district, 28 members recently competed at the Cumberland District Judging Team events in areas of clothing, interior design, foods and nutrition, plant and seed identification, livestock and land. The contests train junior high and senior high youth to evaluate objects and make rational decisions related to a specific subject area. Members also learn to defend their placing through oral reasons.

There were 27 other counties across the Cumberland District who were eligible for competition. Wining teams received ribbons and plaques with the senior high winning teams advancing on to the state contest.

Senior high interior design team consisting of Mary Beth Gribble, April Kirby, Emily Hobbs, Kelly Thompson and Kristen Sharpe placed first in the contest with Kirby being recognized as the high scoring individual in the contest. Junior high members placing seventh were Jul? Cooke, Samantha Brown, Mari-Katherine Webb and Amber Hennessee. Members learned to evaluate house plans, furniture arrangements and chair selections in addition to identifying architectural symbols, furniture arrangements and chair selection.

Foods and nutrition judging team members learned to evaluate menus, learned about nutrients and daily nutrition requirements. The senior high team of Ryan Bush, Lindsey Honeycutt and Cinthea Comer placed second with Comer being recognized as the high scoring individual.

Clothing judging team members learned to evaluate clothing items for correct laundry sorting, identify fashion terms, rank T-shirt and determine if an item was a fad, tread or classic.

Junior high members included Erika Betschart, Samantha Southard, Chanae McLaughlin, Nicolette Freeze, Kayla Vance and Kayla Appalsammy. The teams placed sixth and seventh at the district meet.

The senior high plant and seed identification judging team made up of Ben Cannon, Lynn Cannon and Davey Britton placed fourth with team members learning to identify common weeds and seeds.

The land judging team learned to determine the physical characteristics of soil and interpreted information regarding usage and management practices for the soil.

The team of Erica Cosminsky, Evan Pearsall and Tillman West placed 12th in the contest.

Cade Reagan, Lee-Allen Turner, Cody Walker and Robert Elam, junior high livestock judging team, evaluated beef, sheep and hogs based on muscling, balance and structural correctness.

They also answered questions relating to the animals judged. Team members placed eighth at the event.