 Mary Thew of Roane County has photographed community events and educated other 4-H’ers as part of her Photography project. This college freshman is the daughter of Robert and Margaret Thew of Harriman. Mary has been able to improve her photography skills by entering photo competitions. She has lead workshops on camera care, taking better pictures, proper lighting techniques, photography terms, framing techniques and display methods. She has even photographed a friend’s wedding! Mary has been a delegate to Citizenship Washington Focus in Washington, D.C. She credits 4-H All Stars with helping her “learn how to be a better citizen and leader.” Mary has been president and vice president of the Roane County 4-H Responders 4-H Club and the Roane County 4-H Honor Club. She volunteers at the STAR therapeutic riding program, baby-sits at church functions and is a vacation Bible school leader. Mary is studying photography at Roane State Community College with a minor in theatre. |
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Logan Tipton of Carter County is a state winner in the Horticulture/Garden project. Logan is a home-schooled senior and the son of Ronald and Rhonda Tipton of Johnson City. For his project, he grew a 3,200 square foot garden and learned about proper planting, growing and harvesting techniques. He also experimented with pruning and grafting fruit trees. This Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout and junior assistant Scoutmaster was a 2006 state Level I winner in horticulture/garden. Logan is recognized by his peers as a leader. He has served as president and vice president of the Carter County 4-H Honor Club, is a member of the Appalachian Fair Youth Board and was selected as a teen leader for junior 4-H camp, State 4-H Wildlife Conference and 4-H Electric Camp. He holds the position of area scout on the Eastern Region 4-H All Star Council. Logan’s experiences in leadership and citizenship have taught him “how to plan, organize and carry out a service project.” He plans a career in a science related field. |
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 Lee-Allen Turner of Warren County will attend National Congress as state winner in the Beef project. He is a senior at Warren County High School and the son of John and Terri Turner of Smithville. Lee-Allen has been successful with exhibiting his Brangus cattle. He exhibited the grand champion heifer at the 2004 State Junior Livestock Expo and the grand and reserve grand champion bred-by-exhibitor animals in 2007. He has been a member of county land, livestock and meats judging teams. Lee-Allen serves as president of his local FFA chapter and has been a teen leader at junior 4-H camp. He is actively involved in school organizations including the National Honor Society, Beta Club and Student Advisory. He is the song leader at his church and a member of the International Brangus Breeders Association. His experiences in the beef project have lead him to prepare for a career as a veterinarian. |
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 Caleb Vaden of Knox County is the state winner in the Swine project. This 2007 Carter High School graduate is the son of Joel and Sarah Vaden of Sunnyview. Caleb has raised market hogs for seven years and sold pigs from his Yorkshire sows to other 4-H members. He worked as a teen leader to help younger 4-H’ers select their project animals and earn their Pork Quality Assurance (PQA) certification. Caleb has been the state senior showmanship winner and has shared his skills with younger members through showmanship clinics. This Vol State recipient has helped grow the district swine show to over 60 exhibitors and more than 150 hogs. Caleb says his swine and sheep projects have helped him learn to keep financial records. “I think that will help me most in the real world.” Caleb is a student at the Tennessee Technology Center in Knoxville studying to become an electrician. |
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 Jessica Weaver of Shelby County is attending National 4-H Congress as Tennessee’s state winner in the Leadership project. Jessica is a senior at Collierville High School and the daughter of Paul and Lea Weaver of Eads. Jessica is a two-time state 4-H public speaking winner and a Level I state winner in the leadership, personal development and line and design projects. She has been a member of the Western Region 4-H All Star Council for two years and served as a junior and senior representative on State 4-H Council. She has been a teen leader at junior 4-H camp for three years and represented Tennessee as an ambassador to the Mid-South Fair in Memphis. Jessica credits the 4-H program with helping her develop communication skills. “I have opened up so much to everyone, and I feel these skills will help me greatly in the future.” |
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 Bethany Wolters of Maury County is Tennessee’s state winner in the Sheep project. She is a home-schooled senior and the daughter of Timothy and Denise Wolters of Culleoka. Bethany's project consisted of caring for her flock of 30 sheep. She shows her registered Cheviot sheep at fairs and shows all summer. She shears her own sheep and has even started her own shearing business. Bethany won first place in the senior division of the Central Region sheep skillathon. She placed third in the Sheep Oratory Contest at the Tennessee Junior Livestock Expo and exhibited the reserve grand champion ewe bred-by-exhibitor. Bethany has been a state leadership finalist at Tennessee 4-H Congress and is a member of her county livestock judging and outdoor meat cookery teams. Bethany says 4-H portfolios have helped her plan for the future by teaching her record keeping and goal setting skills. She served as president and secretary of her local 4-H club, teen leader for the sheep, goat and garden projects, county June Dairy Month chairman and a camp assistant at 4-H Electric Camp. She plans a career in media communications. |
