Franklin County 4-H once again brought home the trophy – and national bragging rights – for Tennessee recently, earning the program’s second consecutive title at the National 4-H Soccer Cup in Washington, D.C.

The competition is part of Ignite by 4-H, a five-day national summit hosted by the National 4-H Council. The event brings together teens from across the country for leadership development, career exploration, hands-on workshops and networking, all centered around helping youths discover and grow their passions.

“After last year’s inaugural event, we knew this was something special,” Hunter Isbell, Franklin County Extension agent, said. “To return, compete again and come out on top a second time speaks to the work these young people put in long before they ever stepped on the field.”

This year’s team reflected a strong regional effort with students from Franklin County, Cali Banks, Carly Smith, Ella Gebelt, Mollye Casey, Calli Alonso, Hadley Jolley, Elizabeth Tapp and Addison Taylor; Tullahoma, Brindley Duncan; and Lincoln County, Addie Bolden and Bella Sillaway, along with two homeschool youths from Franklin County, Sadie and Molly Moore, traveling to Washington, D.C., to compete against teams from across the United States.

What started as an opportunity to try something new has quickly become a tradition of excellence for these athletes and leaders, according to a press release from Franklin County 4-H.

“We are incredibly grateful for the donors who continue to support Franklin County 4-H and make opportunities like this possible,” Isbell said. “From travel to lodging to program costs, their investment allows our youths to step into experiences that truly change their perspective.”

Throughout the week, participants competed in matches while also engaging in leadership sessions and workshops focused on topics such as sportsmanship, teamwork and career pathways in athletics.

The event also provided exposure to college-level opportunities with coaches and professionals sharing insight into the next level of competition.

Returning team members stepped into new roles this year, helping lead and encourage younger teammates while maintaining the standard that was set during the first championship run, the press release said.

“This year felt different in the best way,” Gebelt said. “We weren’t just showing up to compete. We were representing something bigger. We knew what it took, and we pushed each other to reach that level again.”

Teammates echoed the same message: the experience went far beyond the game itself.

“Winning again is exciting, but what matters most is how we grew,” Duncan said. “We built stronger relationships, learned how to lead under pressure and challenged ourselves in new ways. That’s something we’ll carry with us long after this week.”

Each team member received a medal, and the team secured the championship trophy for the second year in a row.

Off the field, a lot of growth happened, the press release said.

Through Ignite by 4-H, team members participated in leadership sessions, career exploration and conversations that pushed them to think about what comes next.

They met with leaders such as Dr. Jaye L. Hamby and National 4-H Council CEO Jill Bramble, sharing their 4-H stories and representing Tennessee well, the press release continued.

The team members also spent time experiencing the nation’s capital, walking through historic sites and seeing places they’ve only learned about before, the press release said.

“4-H is about helping young people discover their spark and then giving them the tools to grow it,” Isbell said. “For these youths, soccer is that spark. When you combine athletics with leadership and realworld experiences, you see confidence grow, character develop and young people step into who they are becoming.”