Shannon Williams, daughter of Dora and Lee Williams of Aragon, has been named Polk’s 4-H’er of the Year.

James Casey made the announcement during the annual awards program Thursday night at Georgia Northwestern Technical College in Rockmart.

Shannon, a freshman at Rockmart High School, has been involved in 4-H since she was age 4.

“Her parents report she was tagging along with older 4-H’ers to help pick up litter as part of Keep Polk Beautiful,” Casey said.

He noted that she walked in Christmas parades and attended 4-H meetings while in elementary school. From Peanutrition to Project Achievement, she is a teen leader that works with younger members.

She has competed in Poultry Judging, Cottonboll and Consumer Judging and Senior Project Achievement. She was recently awarded Outstanding Project Club for her gardening club, “Shannon’s Seedlings,” at 2012 Northwest District Project Achievement.

Guest speaker was Matthew Pace, Georgia 4-H Board of Directors / Northwest District Representative. After graduation from Chattooga High School, he plans to attend the University of Georgia and major in Agriculture and Applied Economics.

He demonstrated the strength in 4-H numbers by showing that one pencil or two is easily broken but not when they are bundled together.

Pace talked about his experiences in 4-H and described it as an organization where all are welcome and there is opportunity to develop talents through educational and competitive activities.

“I absolutely love all the friends and memories I have made in 4-H,” he said.

“However, it’s definitely the people that work with us and skills they teach us that I cherish most.”

During the event, a number of other awards were presented.

Ms. Shae Waggoner, Westside Elementary School, was named to receive the Teacher and Classroom of the Year.

Ms. Sara Hughes, Van Wert Elementary, was recognized for Most Participation in District Project Achievement.

Tony Guzman and Haley Reynolds received Cloverleaf Camp Scholar-ships.

Winners at District Project Achievement were :

Jessica Arnold, Anna Bellatoni, Daniel Haynes, Cheyanne McCollum, Isaac Streetman,

Alexis Clanton, Diego Edwards, Dalton Ely, Annie Hicks, Robyn James,

Timothy Malone, Katie Opdycke, Piper Ramirez, Jacob Huitt, Autumn Tomlinson, and McKenzie Morris.

Receiving the Joe Colquitt Award were Emily Bently, Megan Burge, Cede Cochran, Nytie Govern, Tony Guzman, Cameron Ingle, Travon McCullough, Kaitlyn Morrow, Bren-ton Pinkard and Jayda Sewell.

High Point Winners included Victoria Barrett, Jennifer Bunch, Lillie Carter, Lindsey Cleveland, Cede Cochran,

Eunice Davis, Natalie Fincher, Annie Hicks, Timothy Malone, Erin McCrickard, Lexie Morris, Kaitlyn Morrow,

Piper Ramirez, Haley Reynolds, Andrea Ridge-way, Alyssa Roberson, Alli Simms,

Hannah Summerour, Joanthan Suppes and Agatha Wilkes.

Cottonboll / Consumer Judging Team members were recognized:

They included Chandler Cowan, Hope Croker, Emiley Edwards, Ania Huggins, Larren Lyle, Alexa Parsley, Autumn Tomlinson and Shannon Williams.

The Poultry Judging Team included Hope Croker, Michael Daven-port, Hunter Hollis, Jacob Huitt, Larren Lyle, Jada McCarver, Miya Owens, Alexa Parsley, Crystal Streetman and Shannon Williams.

Ricky Ensley, Extension coordinator, also invited "friends of 4-H" and others to become sponsors of the youth program.