NOTE TO AGENT: This news release has been prepared to help you publicize your 4-H’ers recent accomplishments at State 4-H Congress. Please fill in the information below in red, and then change the color to black. (I received an information sheet about Sarah Curlee and Ashley Hatley’s presentation, but I did not know which medal they won; since they were not on the spreadsheet that the state 4-H office sent, I do not think it was a gold medal.) You may delete this note, insert your county letterhead and forward the release to your local media. Thank you for all you do for North Carolina’s children!

June 26, 2013

Media contact: agent’s name, phone, email

Stanly County 4-H’ers honored at State 4-H Congress

Stanly County 4-H’ers were honored during State 4-H Congress, held in Raleigh June 22-25. The event attracted 521 youth and their adult leaders for activities including presentations on a variety of subjects, leadership and citizenship training, service opportunities, officer elections and more.

Leah Joyner, 17, daughter of Ruthi and Dennis Joyner of Locust, was inducted into the 4-H Honor Club, one of the highest honors a 4-H’er can achieve. New Honor Club members were tapped during a candlelight ceremony Saturday night, June 22.

Membership in the Honor Club is based on service to the 4-H program, leadership, moral standards, 4-H activities and project achievement. Each year less than one-half of 1 percent of North Carolina 4-H’ers are selected for membership. Members must be at least 16 years old and have a minimum of three years 4-H experience.

Joyner is a member of the Clover Bunch 4-H Club and has been active in 4-H for eight years.

Fifteen-year-olds Sarah Curlee and Ashley Hatley competed in the 14-to-18-year-old division of the careers and entrepreneurship contest with their presentation on proper etiquette for a business luncheon. Curlee is the daughter of Susan and Edward Curlee of Locust, and Hatley’s parents are Ronnie and Alisa Hatley of Stanfield. The two won bronze/silver medals.

This year, 4-H Congress was moved from its traditional late July time slot and combined with another 4-H event, Citizenship Focus, in which 4-H’ers engage with their elected leaders in the N.C. General Assembly.

The 4-H program is the youth education program of North Carolina Cooperative Extension, based at North Carolina State and North Carolina A&T State universities. More than 237,500 young people between the ages of 5 and 19 participate in North Carolina 4-H activities each year with the help of 20,780 adult and youth volunteers.

- Dee Shore, 919-513-3117 or -