The spotlight of achievement was focused on Polk 4-H members during the annual awards program Thursday night at the Coosa Valley Technical College campus in Rockmart.

A number of family, friends and supporterss watched as they "got in the groove" for a program of fun and recognition.

Guest speaker Abbey Hufsteler, Cartersville, gave comments to encourage the 4-H’ers and families attending. She holds the title of Georgia Junior Miss and will compete for additional honors in Alabama during June.

She talked about her experiences as a 4-H member and opportunities offered through the

organization such as improving skills, learning about the world and environment, making friends and giving back to the local community.

“4-H not only builds leaders of today but also tomorrow,” she said. “Continue to make the best better while having the time of your life.”



Senior 4-H’ers directed the program. They are Ashley Roberson, Velora Kitchens, Will Dover, Chris Galloway, Dixie Mobbs and Amanda Weeks.

James Casey, president, Polk Farm Bureau, announced that Amanda Weeks, Cedartown, was the 2008-2009 4-H’er of the Year.

She was described as being a “wonderful team leader” who is willing to go the extra mile

with younger 4-H’ers, at the skating party, Christmas parades and projects. She has competed in Poultry Judging, Cotton Boll Consumer Jamboree and Senior Project Achievement.

Joe Colquitt Spirit Award recipients include Ridge Abernathy, Nathan Echols, Liberty Campbell, Will Deems, Shane Streetman, Kennedy Wilkes, Breash May, Kima West, Kierra Whatley, Brooklyn Barron, Anna Lundy, Drew Vance, Sarah Veillon, Bailey Ellenburg, Tevin Brown, Brandon Lee, Porvardh Patel, Rebekah Hudson, Elizabeth Erwin, Juan Siberian, Tim Wyatt,

Victoria Summerville, Austin Ashley, Richard Borders and Rebecca Bonnie Wood.

The District Award of Excellence was presented to all 4-H members who participated

In Project Achievement. They include Will Dover, Chris Galloway, Velora Kitchens, Ree Palmer, Ashley Roberson and Amanda Weeks.

The four years Certificate of Honor was presented to Sofie DeWandel, Valerie DeWandel and Kate Fletcher.

The top 25 High Point Earners – fifth grade – include Ridge Abernathy, Jennifer Hodge, Blake Pinkard, Jacob Barker, Zaria Holloman, Carly Puckett, Kaitlyn Bradfield, Lily Ledford, Kensley Ramirez, Elizabeth Brock, Maggie Marchbanks, Onterica Shelly, Jonathan Craft, Breash May, Landon Sides, Cheyanne Davenport, Cassie McCrickard, Elizabeth Smith, Madison Davis, Jessie Moore, Shane Streetman, Makalie Dellinger, Samantha Reed Parker, Kerstin Williams and Dani Ellis.

Sara Hughes, teacher, Goodyear Elementary School, was presented a plaque in recognition of 4-H’ers in her class earning more than 10,000 points.

Cotton Boll / Consumer Jamboree honors went to Samantha Gentry, Andrea Mendez, Melissa Mendez, Amanda Weeks, Jennifer Runyan, Ashley Roberson and Dixie Mobbs.

Hope Croker, Chris Galloway and Shannon A. Williams are Poultry Judging winners.

Receiving the Achievement Award were 4-H’ers who won first place at Project Achievement.

They are Kaitlyn Bradfield, Nancy Cervantes, Sofie DeWandel, Valerie DeWandel, Kate Fletcher, Matt Kelly, Alec Ledbetter, Callie McDonald, Samantha Reed Parker, Alexa Parsley, Elizabeth

Smith.

Other winners include Joy Myers, Ree Palmer, Elizabeth Arencibia, Jonathan Craft, Ashley Roberson, Jacob Barker, Kristina Leslie, Landon Sides, Chris Galloway, Judy Olvera, Bailey Bell, Will Dover, Lily Ledford, Jeb Hayes, Ever Morrillion, Velora Kitchens and Teyana Pryor.

Shannon A. Williams, Keonna Golder, Cheyanne Davenport, Mikala Gunnels, Mallorie Pilgrim,

Raven Wilkerson, Austin David Tarpin, Brandon Morris, David Smith, Zaria Holloman, Shannon B. Williams, Taylor Martinez, Nedia Mendez, Areli Cervantes, Jennifer Cornejo, Cassie McCrickard, Kaliah Coats, Hope Croker, Maggie Marchbanks, Ally Brown,

Jessie Moore, Amanda Weeks, Madison Davis, Essy Zambrano, Onterica Shelly, Tanner Mehrkens, Kerstin Williams, Noah Brown, Andrew Murray, Dustin Roberts, Blake Pinkard,

Matt Kelley, Morgan Dayton, Alliyah McBryde, Jennifer Hodge, Carly Puckett, Mariana Guzman, Rebeka Neal, Beth Brock, Tesia Adams, Kayla Pittman and Amy Reyes.

Camp Teen Leaders for 2008 are Dixie Mobbs, Ashley Roberson and Amanda Weeks.

Cloverleaf DPA Teen Leaders for 2009 include Ashley Roberson, Ree Palmer, Chris Galloway,

Amanda Weeks and Velora Kitchens.