Welcome Back! We are thrilled about this upcoming year. I can't wait to get in the classroom and meet all the new 5th grade 4-H'ers and see the old ones again!

Just because school was out for summer vacation, didn't mean 4-H was! We were busy all summer long but we had so much fun you could call it a vacation. Last week, to start off the new year, we had a Luau, fully equipped with luau themed clothing, hamburgers, hotdogs, ice cream, the beach boys, games, and leis for everyone.

Our most active Senior 4- H'ers, Becca Rich, LaVonte Lovette, Justin Lanier, Emiliy English, and Krysten Fail baked tons of sweets and made goodie bags and trays for our teachers during pre-planning. This was their way of saying, "Thank you" for supporting us over the years, and we all look forward to another one!"

The week before that, Krysten Fail and Justin Lanier, our district Project Achievement winner, spent the week in Atlanta at

State Congress.

While there they met students from all over the state, went on educational tours, explored malls and busy highways and had a blast at SixFlags, all while competing for State honors. Krysten competed in the Arts & Crafts project and came in third place in that state. Justin also did an excellent job competing in the Sports project.

Now for current news, we are already working on minibooths. If you plan on making a mini booth, we would love for you to come in the afternoons and lets get if finished before you get too busy in school. We have several students who have completed theirs and many who are almost complete. If you came to the mini booth class this summer and have not come back and finished your booth, please do so asap!

Senior 4-H'ers are invited to attend a portfolio retreat September 6-7 at the Jekyll Island Oceanside Inn and Suites. It is $55 to attend but will be well worth it! You should leave that weekend with your portfolio almost complete! The theme for the weekend is Real World/ Road Rules challenge. We all know how important those portfolio scores are in placing at DPA. If you would like to attend, please sign up as soon as you can.