Members of the Wilkes County 4-H Dairy Show Team attending the state show included (l-r) William Thomas, Morgen Swann, Shannon Thaxton, Courtney Thackston, Miranda Crook, Logan Griffin, Marlyse Sifre, Megan Thackston, and Lauren Chafin. The Wilkes County 4-H Dairy show team competed in Perry, Georgia, at the 2009 Georgia Junior National Livestock Show. The students worked very hard to compete against 250 contestants from all across Georgia. This was the last show for this season and the 4-H'ers went out with so much enthusiasm! The show team started out by competing in showmanship. Winners in showmanship were Logan Griffin, second; Shannon Thackston, third; Morgen Swann, fifth; Megan Thackston, eighth; Marlyse Sifre, ninth; and Miranda Crook, tenth. Lauren Chafin, William Thomas, and Courtney Thackston received honorable mention in their showmanship classes.

The striving 4-H'ers went on to compete in weight classes and placed at the top as Megan Thackston led the team with her third place winning heifer. Taking fifth place was Logan Griffin and Lauren Chafin. Marlyse Sifre, Morgen Swann and Courtney Thackston placed sixth, followed by Miranda Crook and Morgen Swann, with his second heifer, placing seventh. Shannon Thackston placed eighth and William Thomas placed ninth meaning each of these 4-H'ers placed in the top ten of their weight classes.

These students went against tough competition as they worked hard to present these animals to the judge. Each of these members has worked hard this year to be able to show quality in their heifers. They have competed in many shows across the state to better their show skills and understand what it takes to have a prize winning heifer.

While competing in the show ring, the dairy show team also competed for the Herdsman Award. This award recognizes counties with the cleanest, most attractive, and most informational area at the show. The Wilkes County 4-H area was just that and the students worked hard at keeping the area clean and tidy. They also made informative posters to hang over the calves. For their hard effort, Wilkes County 4-H received fifth place in the Herdsman Award contest.

During the Friday night annual awards banquet, Wilkes County 4-H'ers were recognized for their astounding record books. Junior 4-H'ers placing with their record books were Courtney Thackston, first; Shannon Thackston, second; Logan Griffin, third; and Lauren Chafin, fourth. Morgen Swann was awarded fifth place for his Senior State Record Book. To enter the record book contest, the 4-H'er must keep accurate records of feed, supplies, and all other expenses, as well as having much knowledge of showing and caring for dairy cattle. They must also write an essay of their past year's experience in owning a dairy calf. These 4-H'ers competed against many youth across the state. We are so proud to have so many winners from Wilkes County.

As we end this show season, there is much gratitude and appreciation towards many people that help make this show team possible. We would like to sincerely thank our 4-H parents and volunteer leaders: Frank and Carol Jackson. Finally we thank the following supporters whose contributions made this year's 4-H Dairy Show Team a huge success: Wilkes County Cattlemen's Association, Optimist Club of Washington, McDonald's, Tyler's Machine Shop, O. A. Denard, Jr., Washington Auto Sales, Wilkes County Veterinary Services, A&J Dairy, Billy McAvoy Dairy, Wood Specialty Company, Kent Walker Dairy, and Ellis Thornton. The 4-H'ers had a great season this year and all because of these wonderful citizens who want to provide for the youth in our community!