4-H Members Attend 71st Tennessee State 4-H Congress

April 11, 2018                                                                   

4-H Members Attend 71st Tennessee State 4-H Congress

By: Hannah Armstrong, 4-H Member

Over 400 4-H members gathered in Nashville for this year’s Tennessee State 4-H Congress. This conference, for 9th and 10th grade 4-H members, allows students to create their own state government and learn more about how bills are created and passed. 4-H members are selected based on a written essay on the conference theme and their involvement at county and region 4-H events. 4-H’ers often refer to this as was one of the most educational and eye-opening three days they have ever experienced. Putnam County delegates included Austin Archer, Emily Armstrong, Hannah Armstrong, Cole Estes, and Abi Smuin. The delegates are sponsored locally by Putnam Farmers Co-op, Putnam County Farm Bureau, and Putnam County FCE Council.

During the week they delegates had the opportunity to visit our state’s capital building and participate in Know Your Government activities in the House of Representatives and the Senate. They sat in the actual seats of Senators and Representatives and heavily argued and voted over numerous bills. The topics that were in discussion, gun control and seatbelts on school buses to mention a few, stirred up quite a bit of debate on the floor. Emily Armstrong served as clerk for the house session and Cole Estes and Abi Smuin served as lead debaters for the bills. Hannah Armstrong served as county reporter and kept a record of the delegates’ activities for the week.

After touring through the capital the county delegation met representatives Ryan Williams and Cameron Sexton. They really enjoyed seeing their offices and getting to speak with them about their experience at Congress and the other 4-H events and activities we enjoyed. The group them enjoyed a visit with Senator Paul Bailey. And quite unexpectedly, the group happened to run into Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally. He showed them the “proper” way to bang the gavel in the state Senate. Getting the opportunity to watch the actual House while in session in its complex, almost chaotic way was completely mesmerizing. As the 4-H’ers peered over the balcony, they watched what seemed to be a beehive of activity on the floor while Chief Clerk Tammy Letzler read all the bills in what seemed like a rapid fire fashion.

Putnam County 4-H Finalists Hannah Bernhardt and Hannah Steger both competed and placed in state competitions. Hannah Bernhardt ranked 2nd in the state for her Leadership Project Interview competition. While Hannah Steger placed 3rd in what was a very close competition in 12th grade public speaking.

On our last day of attending Congress, the delegates rode the General Jackson Showboat on the Cumberland River. As they cruised along, they were entertained by the General Jackson Performers, who gave them a taste of Tennessee’s bluegrass and country music. The size of the boat took some of the group completely by surprise, and some of them spent their time aboard exploring the decks and gazing at the rivers scenic banks.

The group arrived at Congress with only the faintest understanding of what the event was even about. But after getting to experience all that it had to offer, many are motivated to make it a personal goal to work towards returning as a state winner next year.

For more information about this event, or other 4-H activities available, contact the Putnam County 4-H Office at 931-516-4561.

 

# # #

 

Photo Captions:

Capital:    Congress delegates enjoyed touring the state capital and learning about state government. (L to R) Hannah Bernhardt, Austin Archer, Hannah Armstrong, Emily Armstrong, Abi Smuin, Hannah Steger, Cole Estes

 

Rep:          While at Congress, 4-H members got to visit with Representative Ryan Williams and learn more about his work in the general assembly. (L to R) Hannah Armstrong, Hannah Steger, Hannah Bernhardt, Abi Smuin, Representative Williams, Emily Armstrong, Cole Estes, Austin Archer

 

Photo/Information provided by:

Melissa Henry

Extension Agent

4-H Youth Development

UT Extension – Putnam County