Gravette 4-H members serve at National Congress

Submitted Report

GRAVETTE -- A local young man served on National 4-H Design Team.

Joshua Lockhart, a senior at Gravette High School, recently returned from the 2013 National 4-H Congress which was held Nov. 28 through Dec. 3 in Atlanta, Ga.

Lockhart was one of eight in the nation chosen to serve on the 2013 National 4-H Congress Design Team. Members of this elite team planned the annual conference which is held annually in Atlanta. In addition to Lockhart, the remaining members of the 2013 National 4-H Congress Youth Design Team were Arielle Ampeh of Virginia, Brook Beake of Indiana, Nicole Davis of Hawaii, Emily Dickinson of Iowa, Joshua Driesman of Maryland, Alex Huff of Mississippi and Trevor Kauer of Idaho.

Lockhart traveled to Atlanta in February to begin his responsibilities. Additional conference strategy took place between the team, primarily through satellite communication and conference calls with the assistance of technological director Toby Lepley, associate professor at Texas A & M University. National Design Team executive mentors for this year were Susan Stewart, executive director, National 4-H Congress, Alpharetta, Ga., and Anne Sorter, associate director of FCS & 4-H Youth Development, UA, Little Rock.

The Arkansas delegation was among more than 800 youth delegates from across the country and Puerto Rico attending the 2013 National 4-H Congress. The theme of the conference was "Passport to Excellence." The National 4-H Congress experience allows 4-H members from across the country to learn new skills through unique workshops, hear from nationally-recognized speakers, participate in a national community service project, and experience Southern culture.

4-H members selected to attend this trip are state record book winners. The Arkansas delegation consisted of 41 club members from across the state. The Arkansas delegation was honored to have Lockhart chosen as a member of the National 4-H Congress Design Team.

Lockhart also served as master of ceremonies at the opening assembly and escort to Miss America. Jenna Martin, of Cross County, served on the National 4-H Congress leadership team. Jenna served as one of 12 National 4-H Congress leadership team members. Jenna Martin and Cody Crisp of Greene were selected as National Congress teen entertainers. Noah Smith, also a senior at Gravette, served as Arkansas' state youth delegate advisor. Smith presided over the state meetings each night and served as the liaison for Arkansas state delegates with headquarters and the design team. Caroline Ezell from Polk County served as the Arkansas state flag bearer at the flag ceremony and Challenge of Change.

A permanent mark of 4-H in Atlanta are the two Habitat for Humanity houses delegates have paid for. Currently, National 4-H Congress is working on its third Clover House. Arkansas delegates donated over $700.00 to the project.