4-H’ers learn about government

Sevier County 4-H’ers joined more than four-hundred Tennessee 4-H’ers and volunteer leaders and learned about state government and how it functions at the 59th Annual Tennessee 4-H Congress in Nashville, earlier this month.Delegates, from Sevier County, included: Tyler Bruhin, Kristi Frazier, Emily Graves, Jared Maples and Cody Matthews, Sevier County High School; Clarisa Williams and J.J. Wimmer, Seymour High School and Samantha Greene, Homeschool.  Mrs. Debbie Bruhin accompanied the Sevier County Delegates.“4-H: Your Adventure Awaits” was the theme of this years Congress.  Congress is an activity of the Tennessee 4-H Citizenship Project.  Delegates got “hands-on” experience into the government process as they met in the legislature chambers of the State Capitol.  4-H’ers introduced and debated their own bills and resolutions. They included abill changing the legal driving age to 17, a bill to authorize a statewide educational program for 6 - 12 graders about the dangers of methamphetamine abuse, a bill to establish a statewide curfew for minors and a bill to institute service learning requirements in order to graduate from high school in Tennessee.    Delegates participated in the political process as they elected a 4-H Congress Governor, Speaker of the House and Speaker of the Senate, from among their peers.Sevier County delegates met with Blount and Sevier Counties Tennessee Senator Raymond Finney and Sevier County’s Tennessee House Representative Richard Montgomery for a friendly visit and photo shoot.  Delegates supported the Nashville Metro Police Departments, “Critters for Comfort” service learning project.  Delegates donated several hundred stuffed animals, to the project, which are used to offer comfort and support to children in crisis situations.  Delegates to 4-H Congress were selected on the basis of their work in the citizenship project and other activities.4-H Congress Delegates are sponsored locally by Citizens National Bank and the Sevier County Farm Bureau.