Message from the 2024-2025 Board

Dear Georgia 4-H,

On behalf of the Georgia 4-H State Board of Directors, we want to express our sincere appreciation for the opportunity to represent Georgia 4-H this year. As high school students committed to leadership and community, it’s our privilege to serve our statewide community of over 170,000 youth.

Georgia 4-H has a strong legacy of providing transformative experiences that foster personal growth, leadership development, and community engagement. We are committed to advocating for our peers and ensuring their voices are heard among stakeholders, elected official, volunteers, and staff.

The State Board of Directors is a diverse team of nine members, including a President, Vice President, and three State Representatives, and four District Representatives from across the state, we strive to create an inclusive environment where all youth can thrive.

We are grateful for the support of county offices, volunteers, and state staff, who empowered us to represent Georgia 4-H with pride. We are excited to continue promoting positive youth development and making a difference in the lives of young people statewide.

Making the Best Better,

Kingston Ryals, President
Mia Burnett, Vice President
Agatha Grimes, State Representative
Kaleb Green, State Representative
Esteban Contreras, State Representative
Carolyn Thomas, Northeast District Representative
William Parish, Northwest District Representative
Yasmin Rios, Southeast District Representative
Nandini Patel, Southwest District Representative

Meet Your Current Board of Directors

Kingston Ryals, President // Toombs County

Kingston is a junior at Vidalia High School and has been a 4-H’er since 5th grade. He previously served as Vice President of the Southeast District Senior Board of Directors. Kingston began his 4-H career with Cloverleaf DPA and has been engaged ever since with project achievement. Kingston is a three-time master 4-H’er in Robotics, Workforce Preparation, and National 4-H Conference, and a National 4-H Youth in Action winner. He currently serves as a Workforce Tech Changemaker, Ag Tech Changemaker, and Healthy Living Ambassador. Beyond 4-H Kingston is involved in FCCLA, SGA, BETA, One Act, and is a State Champion in Literary – Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking. Kingston is incredibly grateful for all the opportunities 4-H has allowed him and credits the organization with helping him discover his passion for public speaking and service. He is honored to represent Georgia 4-H as State President.

 

Mia Burnett, Vice President // Mitchell County

Mia is a junior at Westwood Schools and is the State Board Vice President from Mitchell County. Mia competes in the Performing Arts Drama Category after previously mastering in Entomology. She has been involved in 4-H since the 4th grade. Since then, Mia has participated in many activities such as DPA, State Congress, SRTLC, and Cotton Boll and Consumer Judging, currently serves as a Pollinator Ambassador and a guitarist in Clovers and Company. Beyond 4-H, Mia is involved in tennis, cheer, and track, as well as Drama Club, Recycling Club, National Honor Society, and Literacy Club. She is also very active in the Pleasant Hill and First Baptist Church Youth Groups. Mia is grateful for the memories, skills, and friendships that 4-H has provided her and is honored to serve as Vice President this year.

 

Agatha Grimes, State Representative // Candler County

Agatha is a high school senior and has been involved in 4-H since the 4th grade. She previously served as a Board Member on the Southeast District Senior Board and Vice President on the Southeast Junior Board of Directors. Agatha is a Master 4-H’er in Key Award, serves as an Animal Science Ambassador, Certified Teen Leader, and One Georgia Ambassador. Agatha enjoys showing livestock, learning more about the agricultural industry, and being a leader in her community. Agatha is deeply appreciative for everything 4-H has done for her and the opportunities it has bestowed upon her. She is very excited to represent 4-H this upcoming year as a State Representative.

 

Kaleb Green, State Representative // Dooly County

Kaleb is a high school junior and has been a 4-H’er since the 5th grade. He previously served as a Board Member on the Southwest District Senior Board of Directors. Kaleb began his 4-H career with summer camp which he attends annually. He also serves as a teen leader and enjoys leaving a lasting impact on younger 4-Hers. Beyond 4-H, he is serving as the Georgia BETA State President. Kaleb enjoys using talents he discovered in 4-H such as public speaking, within his community, driving him towards making the best better. He is very honored to serve as Georgia 4-H State Representative.

 

Esteban Contreras, State Representative // Pulaski County

Esteban is a high school junior and has been a part of 4-H since the 4th grade. He previously served as a board member on the Southwest District Senior Board of Directors. He’s a certified teen leader and loves teen leading at Cloverleaf Camp and has a passion for encouraging youth participation in Georgia 4-H. Beyond 4-H Esteban plays varsity soccer for Hawkinsville High School and enjoys listening to music and watching basketball. Esteban is beyond honored to have been selected to represent his peers as a Georgia 4-H State Representative.

 

Carolyn Thomas, Northeast District Representative // Putnam County

Carolyn is a high school junior who has been actively involved in 4-H since 4th grade and is a recent master in Dean’s Award in STEM. She previously served on the Northeast Senior and Junior Board of Directors and is the current president of Putnam County Council. Carolyn has a passion for computer science and competes in and out 4-H. She also leads a tech club at her county office to inspire youth in STEM. Outside of 4-H Carolyn is a member of Youth Lead Georgia and is a varsity member of cheer and tennis.

 

William Parish, Northwest District Representative // Gordon County

William is a high school junior and has been a part of 4-H since the 4th grade. He previously served as the Northwest District Senior Board of Directors President and served on the Northwest District Junior Board of Directors. William began his 4-H career with archery and eventually began doing contest such as DPA, Leadership in Action, LifeSmarts and numerous judging teams. He is also a member of Clovers and Company. William is a 4-time master in Food Challenge, Poultry Judging, Turkey BBQ Challenge, and Dairy Judging. He is also a teen leader. Outside of 4-H he enjoys playing music and hanging out with his chickens.

 

Yasmin Rios, Southeast District Representative // Emanuel County

Yasmin is a high school junior and has been a part of 4-H since the 5th grade. She previously served on the Southeast District Board of Directors. Yasmin is a certified teen leader, Tech Changemaker Ambassador, participants in Food Challenge, and enjoys working with younger 4-Hers. Yasmin started DPA in 5th grade with Emanuel County where she found her passion in public speaking which led to the project area of Communications. She is now starting a new lead at DPA with the International Project where she wishes to explore more after high school. Beyond 4-H, Yasmin is a student at Swainsboro High School where she is a part of the school student council, BETA club member, soccer player, football cheerleader, and plays bare saxophone for concert band. She is looking forward to serving for Georgia 4-H as the Southeast District Representative and hopes to serve them well!

 

Nandini Patel, Southwest District Representative // Ben Hill County

Nandini is a high school senior and has been part of 4-H since the 5th grade. She previously served on the Southwest District Senior and Junior Boards of Directors. Nandini’s 4-H career started with DPA, which she still participates in each year. Nandini is a Master 4-H’er in Land judging alongside Cotton Boll & Consumer Judging. She serves on the Ag Tech Changemakers Team and is a Certified 4-H Teen Leader in Ben Hill County. Nandini finds her passions in 4-H to be through the STEM and public speaking areas. Beyond 4-H, Nandini is a member of the Fitzgerald High School College & Career Academy Technology Student Association Chapter, along with a member of the drama department, literary team, and Audio/Visual Pathway. In her community, Nandini serves on the Fitzgerald Community bank Junior Board of Directors and the Fitzgerald-Ben Hill Arts Council Junior Board of Directors. Nandini credits 4-H for pushing her to try new things and explore unfamiliar interests. Nandini is excited to serve as the Southwest District Representative this year!

 

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