Student Earns 3rd Place at Hootworthy 4H State Congress Competition!

Send us Fan MailOn the latest episode of Hootworthy, we had the pleasure of hosting Shawna, a 2023 graduate of GCA, who achieved 3rd place at the 4-H State Congress competition during the summer. In our conversation, we explored the world of 4-H youth clubs and the valuable experiences they offer. These clubs delve into a wide array of subjects, from STEM to healthy living and leadership, providing numerous opportunities for young learners to compete and engage in exciting activities.Shawna's journey into the 4-H world was unique. Typically startingin the 5th grade, she managed to get involved earlier due to her olderbrother's participation, often attending meetings with him. Her initialmotivation for joining 4-H was to find social opportunities, as she confessedto being a bit shy in her earlier days. 4-H played a pivotal role in helpingher overcome her shyness, connect with people, and build lasting friendships.One of her most cherished experiences was as a teen leader at Rock Eagle.While Shawna's journey through 4-H brought her numerous lifelessons, one of the most valuable was the art of public speaking. In fact, manyof the 4-H competitions she participated in revolved around public speakingopportunities, which reinforced her communication skills and boosted herconfidence.The 4-H State Congress competition, where Shawna achieved 3rdplace, is no small feat to reach. Participants typically need to win atsweepstakes or place at district competition to earn their spot. Shawna'sticket to the State Congress was her 2nd place victory at district competition.For this competition, Shawna showcased her crochet skills while presenting herbeautiful, crocheted figurines. The competition itself took place in a hoteland spanned several days.During her journey, she practiced her speech with a friend on thefirst night, then faced a panel of judges on the second day, answering theirquestions and delivering her presentation. The competition ended on a high notewith a silent disco, where everyone, winners, and participants alike, dancedthe night away with headphones on. Winners were announced at the end of thenight, and to Shawna’s excitement, she heard her name ringing out as the 3rdplace winner, a well-deserved recognition of her talent and hard work.As we wrapped up our conversation, Shawna reflected on her time asa GCA student. She highlighted the unique privilege of attending school in thecomfort of her own home, often in her pajamas—a freedom that made her academicjourney more enjoyable. Shawna also expressed her deep appreciation for theteachers who supported her. In addition, she gave a heartfelt shoutout to hermentors in Polk County 4-H, Williams and Ridgeway, who encouraged her toexplore her potential and discover her passion for crochet. This was thebeginning of her road to the State Congress, a journey that she'll cherish fora lifetime. Stay hootworthy, Shawna! Hootworthy: The Podcast That Gives a HootWe spotlight the students and faculty of GCA and the stories that deserve to be heard.Watch full episodes on YouTube or learn more at georgiacyber.org/hootworthy.Follow, subscribe, and share. Every story deserves a spotlight.