Georgia 4-H, the state’s largest youth leadership development organization, provides opportunities for students to gain mastery of skills and knowledge and to demonstrate generosity through civic engagement. The 4-H Dean’s Awards provide Georgia 4-H’ers the chance to showcase their talent, hard work, and commitment to their community. The Dean’s Awards are very competitive and one of the highest honors Georgia 4-H members can earn.

A Dean’s Award is presented every year in each of the following five main project areas: Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (including STEM); Civic Engagement and Citizenship; Family and Consumer Sciences; William “Bill” Edwards Award for Communications and the Arts; and James Harris Award for Leadership. First place winners receive Master 4-H’er status, a $500 scholarship, and recognition at the Georgia 4-H Day at the Capitol.

Competitors submit a cumulative portfolio, much like a resume, highlighting their accomplishments from throughout their 4-H career. The portfolios are judged by project area experts, and high-scoring submissions are invited to participate in a separately-judged interview session. This year, the finalist interview sessions were conducted in a virtual setting due to pandemic restrictions, giving youth the chance to gain interview skills and experience with online conferencing.

Congratulations to all who submitted portfolios, to the finalists who interviewed virtually and to our five newest 2020 Dean’s Awards Recipients!

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (and STEM)
1^st Place – Lydia Connell, Tift County
2^nd Place – Kennedy Deveaux, Cobb County
3^rd Place – Neely McCommons, Oconee County

William “Bill” Edwards 4-H Dean’s Award for Communications and the Arts
1^st Place – Allen Brooks, Houston County
2^nd Place – Parker Varnadoe, Madison County
3^rd Place – Arham Shah, Emanuel County

Civic Engagement & Citizenship 
1^st Place – Juliette McKinley, Paulding County
2^nd Place – Ben Tellano, Hart County
3^rd Place – Drew Cribbs, Morgan County

Family and Consumer Sciences
1^st Place – Shazia Alam, Sumter County
2^nd Place – Madison Brown, Elbert County
3^rd Place – Lizzy Thompson, Grady County

James Harris 4-H Dean’s Award for Leadership
1^st Place – Aromal Saji, Gwinnett County
2^nd Place – Gracie Grimes, Candler County
3^rd Place – Logan Bush, Laurens County

Georgia 4-H empowers youth to become true leaders by developing necessary life skills, positive relationships and community awareness. As the largest youth leadership organization in the state, 4-H reaches more than 242,000 people annually through the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension offices and 4-H facilities.