By TRACY COURAGE | U of A System Division of Agriculture

Arkansas 4-H recognizes members for outstanding achievement in their projects and activities, leadership and community service with the Teen Star recognition.

This year’s 54 Teen Stars were selected from hundreds of applicants and represent 27 counties. The recognition paves the way for these young people to move into higher positions of leadership as 4-H Ambassadors, who can run for state officer positions. Any Teen Star who is graduating high school can also apply for the $1,000 Zack O. and Jennie D. Jennings Scholarship.

Gracie Goodwin, 15, of Pike County, was enjoying the first day of the conference as a Teen Star. “I hope to gain leadership skills and knowledge,” she said. “After this, I plan to apply to be an Ambassador.”

Other teens, including Olivia Kossman from Carroll County and Kinslea Fowler, 14, of Prairie County, have already set their sights on running for 4-H state office. “I’ve been in 4-H for 11 years,” said Kossman, who has animal science projects. “I’ve wanted to be a state officer for a while.”

Other teens were content to listen to speakers and participate in the group activities.

Elijah Gaskin, a member of the Velvet Ridge 4-H Club in White County, has been in 4-H for 10 years and has a public speaking project. “I’m just here to meet new people and learn to be a better leader,” he said.

This year’s Teen Stars include:

Baxter County — Hannah Dooley
Benton County — Kolby Campbell, Daniel Darnell, Natalie Campen, Emily Jackson, Ramsey Puryear, Caroline Epperson, Brooklyn Luedecke and Hailey Harris
Carroll County — Olivia Kossmann, Jesse Warner and Andrew Rexwinkle
Clark County — Brady Daniell
Columbia County — Dawson Dooly
Faulkner County — Grace Branscum and Joy Garst
Franklin County — Ava McCartney
Garland County — Lara Lowry and Canaan Hunter
Grant County — Gavin McGinley, Gracie McGinley, Callen Shaw, Klaesy Knoefler and Aleecia Lewis
Greene County — Annah Martin
Hempstead County — Kassidy Beasley
Hot Spring County — Rylee Ray, Emma Eubanks, Atlanta Nelson and Jace Ramsey
Howard County — Anna McKinnon
Independence County — James Street and Annaleigh Mead
Little River County — Chelsea Cowan
Logan County — Shawn Hertlein
Madison County — Vallie Yancey
Marion County — Kaylee Cheek and Taylor Henley
Montgomery County — Opal Samons and Sawyer Beggs
Pike County — Gracie Goodwin
Pope County — Shelby Bateman
Prairie County — Kinsea Fowler
Saline County — Ian Price
Sebastian County — Karly Jones, Drake Slate and Mary Dunn
Union County — Alena Senn
Washington County — Alyosha Wood, Hemali Gauri, Rylie Bignar and Mayciee Dawdy
White County — Jonathan Watkins and James Gaskin