by Rachel Petty – UT Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development
Smith County 4-H was proud to host its 7th Annual 4-H Awards Banquet on the evening of Thursday, November 7, 2024. The Smith County Ag Center was packed with 4-H’ers and family members, volunteers, donors, community supporters, Extension staff, and friends that make our local 4-H program possible.
We had the pleasure of recognizing 44 of our most active and involved 4-H’ers from the past year. These 4-H’ers were recognized for their outstanding club and project work, contest participation, and community involvement.
We also enjoyed a delicious meal together, which was catered by Stroud’s BBQ from Cookeville, Tennessee, and sponsored by Smith County Farm Bureau. Farm Bureau President George Clay and the Farm Bureau Board also graciously agreed to cover all other associated expenses of the 2024 4-H Awards Banquet.
The program for the evening was led by 4-H’ers Kynlee Davis, Marshall Taylor, Levi Ferrell, Turner Harville, Owen Meeks, Easton Bibbings, and Emmy Bibbings. The awards ceremony was conducted by 4-H Agents Rachel Petty and Susanna Clouse.
Gabe Harville was our special speaker, and he shared with us his 4-H speech that earned him the National Champion title at Western National Roundup back in January. Gabe’s impressive speech told the story of his journey as a 4-H’er and served as excellent inspiration for our younger members in attendance.
Special awards for the night went to
· Josie Harville – Outstanding Junior 4-H Member
· Tana Harville – Outstanding Junior High 4-H Member
· Kynlee Davis – Outstanding Senior High 4-H Member
We also honored four of our graduating seniors: Kynlee Davis, Gabe Harville, Erin Hensley, and Abby Purtee. Each senior was given a set of green and white cords to wear at graduation and a small gift to commemorate their time in Smith County 4-H.
Our Smith County “Friend of 4-H Award” went to Carson Meeks for his role as Coach of our 3rd Place National Forestry Judging Team that competed in Weston, West Virginia, this summer.
Here is a complete list of the best-of-the-best Smith County 4-H’ers who were honored at our 2024 4-H Awards Banquet: Easton Bibbings, Emmy Bibbings, Kara Brooks, Katie Belle Butler, Daisy Chambers, Luke Chartier, Titus Chartier, Kynlee Davis, Charlotte Driver, Gracie Driver,
Jay Driver, Clay Driver, Isaac Ferrell, Levi Ferrell, Aspen Gibbs, Gabe Harville, Josie Harville, Tana Harville, Turner Harville, Caleb Hensley, Erin Hensley, Aubrey Hicks, Scarlett Hicks, Amelia Hodges, McCall Kemp, Katelyn Kooken, Oakley Lawrence, Bryant Locke, Emma Locke, Jax Mason, Owen Meeks, Olivia Messenger, Parker Milakovic, Abby Purtee, Kolt Ortiz Schulz, Marshall Taylor, Kasie Thomas, Evie Wilson, Katie Wilson, Avery Yerge, and Bradley Yerge.
By participating in 4-H, youth develop life skills like critical thinking, teamwork, communication, citizenship, and creativity that equip them to be the leaders of the future. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for Smith County 4-H and all of these bright and hardworking young people!
This is the biggest and best 4-H Banquet we’ve ever had, and we love seeing all of these young people succeed and come together to celebrate their accomplishments.
It takes a village to run a 4-H program, and we couldn’t be more thankful for ours!
The 4-H Youth Development Program delivers programs through cooperative efforts of the University of Tennessee, Tennessee State University, and public and private sector volunteers. 4-H educational programs are offered to all youth, grades 4-12, on an age-appropriate basis, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. For further information concerning the many opportunities that 4-H has to offer the youth in Smith County, call 615-735-2900. 
