Several Franklin County students were among Tennessee’s most outstanding 4-H members who were invited to participate in the Tennessee 4-H Congress held recently in Nashville.

The Tennessee 4-H Congress gives students firsthand experience in state government with students forming a mock state congress by becoming senators or representatives while learning about government, citizenship, leadership and service.

Local students selected for the honor include Scotland Stewart and Hannah Holcomb, who served as state senators, and Khiya Porter, Riley Maxwell, Hazel Reed, Kinsley Kilpatrick, Cooper Collins and Garrett Patterson, who served as state representatives. In addition, Kim Collins served as the volunteer leader for the event.

These students had the opportunity to display leadership in many ways. Kilpatrick served as the clerk for the House of Representatives. Reed debated legislation in the House of Representatives. Stewart served as the page for the Senate and, along with Kilpatrick, was one of the central region’s candidates for speaker of the Senate and speaker of the House at the event.

All participants gave their input on legislation covering the following topics: the Tennessee Minimum Wage Act, the Tennessee Classroom Size Act, the Tennessee Super Bowl Monday Act, and the Tennessee Improving Agricultural Literacy Act.

Both the 4-H House and the 4-H Senate passed a joint resolution to recognize the Tennessee 4-H program’s 100th State Roundup in July 2023.

The guest speaker for the General Assembly was Gov. Bill Lee who discussed his commitment to 4-H and encouraged youths to participate actively in their communities.

4-H members also enjoyed visiting legislators as well as Rep. Iris Rudder and State Sen. Janice Bowling, who addressed them. They also met Lelan Statom, senior meteorologist with the NewsChannel 5 Network.

Other highlights of the 4-H Congress included visiting the State Capitol; the State 4-H History Bowl; motivational speakers; tours of interesting places in the Nashville area; the State 4-H Public Speaking Contest; the State 4-H Promotional Poster Contest; and the election of next year’s 4-H Congress officers.

 “Thank you to these legislators for their continued support of 4-H,” UT/TSU Extension Agent Hunter Isbell said.

Sponsorships from the Franklin County Farm Bureau and Thompson Appalachian Hardwoods provided this citizenship and leadership educational opportunity.

4-H is a UT/TSU Extension Office program and is available to all Franklin County youths in grades 4-12. Extension provides agricultural and natural-resources programs, 4-H youth development, family and consumer sciences and resource development.

Call Isbell at the Franklin County Extension Office for information about 4-H activities at 931-967-2741.