House Resolution 1022
By: Representatives Jasperse of the 11th, O’Steen of the 169th, Hagan of the 156th, Dickey of
the 134th, and Mathis of the 133rd
A RESOLUTION
Commending the 2025-2026 4-H leadership teams and award recipients and recognizing
February 26, 2026, as 4-H day at the state capitol; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,4-H members consistently demonstrate the ability and leadership necessary to
be champions and serve as outstanding representatives and officers of the young people of
Georgia; and
WHEREAS, Robert Thomas of Putnam County serves with distinction and dedication as
State 4-H President; and
WHEREAS, Melanie Biersmith of the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension has
worked diligently as State 4-H Leader/ Director of 4-H; and
WHEREAS, the leadership, dedication, and hard work of Michah Newton of Pickens
County, Savannah Radloff of Heard County, Leo Barak of Glynn County, and Javis Bennett
of Dooly County as District Presidents have been acknowledged by the 4-H membership in
their election of each of these young people to serve as president for 2025-2026; and
WHEREAS, the excellent record of accomplishments in citizenship and leadership of
Esteban Contreras of Pulaski County, Kaleb Green of Dooly County, Gregory Huston of
Toombs County, Naomi Jackson of Bibb County, Ash Sonnier of Columbia County, and
Carolyn Thomas of Putnam County led to their selection as delegates for the 2025 National
4-H Conference; and
WHEREAS, Leila Rimes of Tift County and Addy Winchester of Pulaski County were
named 2025 Leadership in Action winners; and
WHEREAS, Liam Maline of Glynn County, Micah Newton of Pickens County, Kaleb Green
of Dooly County, Kingston Ryals of Toombs County, Presley Douglas of Candler County,
and Ash Sonnier of Columbia County were named state winners in the 2025 Deans Awards
competition; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Holt, Nandini Patel, Landon Sinyard, and Ruby Witt of Ben Hill
County were named the 2025 National Winners of the National Consumer Decision Making
Contest; and
WHEREAS, Catie Malcome, Haley Schaefer, Catherine Smith, and Evan Tennant of Morgan
County were named the 2025 National Winners of the National Recurve Archery
Competition; and
WHEREAS, Bethany Shirley of Walton County was named the 2025 National High
Individual of the National Air Rifle Competition; and
WHEREAS, Sonya Jones of Pulaski County was named the 2025 William H. Booth Award
Honoree; and
WHEREAS, Lauren Clark of Screven County received the 2025 Ryles Rising Star Award;
and
WHEREAS, Clinton Folsom of Cook County was named the 2025 Volunteer of the Year;
and
WHEREAS, Mark Braddy of Jefferson County received the 2025 Outstanding Lifetime
Volunteer Award.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
the members of this body commend Robert Thomas, State 4-H President; Melanie Biersmith,
State 4-H Leader and Director of 4-H; and the 2025-2026 4-H District Presidents, 2025
National 4-H Conference Delegates, 2025 Leadership in Action winners, 2025 Deans Award
winners, 2025 William H. Booth Award honoree, 2025 Ryles Rising Star Award recipient,
2025 Volunteer of the Year, and 2025 Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer Award recipient for
their numerous accomplishments as well as recognize February 26, 2026, as 4-H day at the
state capitol.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the
public and the press.