4-H Congress educational experience
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Warren County had two 4-H members who competed at 4-H Congress as state finalists in the leadership project. Betschart and Moore were selected as top five state finalists based on 4-H project work and competed with project records and interview while at Congress. Moore also competed in the 4-H public speaking contest as a top five state finalist.
The opening assembly at Congress featured 2005 4-H Congress Governor Tyler Boyd addressing the Congress theme of ?4-H: Your Adventure Awaits.? The highlight of the evening was a special performance by the 4-H Performing Arts Troupe entitled ?Tennessee My County Home.?
Since it?s beginning in 1948, 4-H Congress has given some 28,400 4-H?ers and volunteer leaders firsthand experience in state government. At Congress, delegates become senators or representatives and form a junior state Congress. They devote their time to learning about government, citizenship, leadership and their state capital.
While at Congress the delegates had the opportunity to visit with State Representatives Charles Curtiss and Judd Matheny. They participated in campaign and election procedures to elect a State 4-H Governor, Speaker of the House and Speaker of the Senate. They also voted on bills concerning graduated licenses, education concerning methamphetamine use, statewide curfews and service learning requirements for graduation. Resolutions that passed included recognizing April 10 as Pat Summit and Bruce Pearl day.
Congress delegates were also inspired by speeches from governor Phil Bredesen and Ken Givens, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. Fun highlights of the event included a concert by country recording artist Trent Willmon and a trip aboard the General Jackson. Sponsors for 4-H Congress are Warren County Farm Bureau, First National Bank and the Southern Standard.