🏆 Van Buren County 4-H Team Earns Second Place at State FCS Skillathon

A team of young leaders from Van Buren County has brought home recognition from the 2024 State 4-H Awards Program, placing second in the Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Skillathon competition. The achievement reflects months of preparation and teamwork by students working with UT Extension-Van Buren County, which supports youth development and agricultural education across the Cumberland Plateau region.

🎯 The Achievement

The Van Buren County FCS Skillathon team-comprised of Lola McCoy, Jaden McGinnis, Claire Mattern, and Kaylee Reed-earned second place honors at the state level. Among the individual competitors, Kaylor Kersh placed second in the identification sections and finished second overall as an individual competitor, a distinction that highlights both personal skill and the strength of the team’s preparation. 📜

💡 Why This Matters

4-H competitions like the Skillathon do more than recognize academic achievement. They build practical knowledge in family and consumer sciences-skills in nutrition, food safety, budgeting, and household management that young people carry into adulthood. For rural communities on the Cumberland Plateau, where agricultural and homemaking traditions run deep, these competitions connect students to both heritage knowledge and modern life skills. Success at the state level signals that local youth are competing effectively against peers across Tennessee and gaining confidence in their abilities.

🤝 Community Connections

UT Extension-Van Buren County plays a central role in making this kind of youth development possible. The organization offers free agriculture, family, and youth education programs that reach students throughout the county. Behind every student who competes is a network of educators, volunteers, and family members who support preparation and celebrate results. This team’s second-place finish reflects not just individual effort, but the community infrastructure that makes 4-H participation accessible and meaningful for young people in Spencer and surrounding areas.

👥 Human Impact

For Kaylor Kersh, Lola McCoy, Jaden McGinnis, Claire Mattern, and Kaylee Reed, this recognition validates months of study and practice. Competing at the state level builds resilience, confidence, and a sense of belonging to something larger than themselves. These young people are learning that preparation, teamwork, and persistence lead to real results-lessons that shape how they approach challenges in school, work, and community life for years to come. ✨

📍 Local Perspective

Van Buren County, situated on the Cumberland Plateau, has a strong tradition of agricultural and family-centered learning. 4-H programs have long been a pathway for rural youth to develop leadership skills and connect with peers who share similar interests. A second-place finish at the state level is a significant achievement for a smaller county, reflecting both the quality of instruction available locally and the dedication of students willing to invest time in skill-building competitions.

🎓 What Residents Should Know

If you have young people interested in 4-H programs, UT Extension-Van Buren County offers free educational opportunities in agriculture, family and consumer sciences, and youth leadership. The organization is located at 288 Spring Street in Spencer and can be reached at (931) 946-2435. More information is available at vanburen.tennessee.edu. Whether students are interested in competing in skillathons, learning about farming and food production, or developing leadership skills, local extension programs provide pathways to growth and community connection. 📞

🔮 What Happens Next

As the 2024 competition season concludes, these students and their coaches will likely reflect on lessons learned and begin thinking about next year’s competition cycle. Other young people in Van Buren County may be inspired by this team’s success to join 4-H programs themselves. For UT Extension-Van Buren County, the achievement reinforces the value of the free educational programs they provide and may encourage continued community support for youth development initiatives.

💭 Community Questions Worth Considering

• How many other Van Buren County students are currently participating in 4-H programs, and what barriers might prevent interested youth from joining?
• What role do local volunteers and mentors play in preparing students for state-level competitions?
• How do skills learned in FCS Skillathon competitions translate into practical life skills for young adults in rural communities?
• What opportunities exist for community members to support or celebrate youth achievement in local education programs?

🌱 Long-Term Community Impact

When young people succeed in competitions and gain confidence in their abilities, they are more likely to stay engaged in their communities, pursue further education, and eventually mentor the next generation. 4-H programs like those offered by UT Extension-Van Buren County help build social capital-the networks of trust and mutual support that strengthen communities over time. Students who experience recognition and belonging through these programs often become the leaders, volunteers, and engaged citizens who shape their hometowns for decades to come.

🧵 Community Threads: Youth Development and Local Pride

The Extension-Youth Connection: UT Extension-Van Buren County serves as a bridge between state-level educational standards and local youth. When the organization supports students in preparing for state competitions, it affirms that rural young people have access to the same quality of instruction and opportunity as their peers in larger counties. This thread strengthens community pride and signals to families that investing in their children’s education is supported by local institutions.

The Mentor-Student Relationship: Behind every student who competes is someone who believed in them enough to invest time in coaching and preparation. These relationships-between extension educators, volunteer coaches, and students-create lasting bonds and model what it means to be part of a learning community. When students succeed, mentors feel the satisfaction of having made a difference; when they struggle, mentors provide encouragement to try again. This reciprocal relationship strengthens the social fabric of the community.

The Tradition of Skill-Building: Family and consumer sciences have deep roots in rural Tennessee culture. Generations of families have passed down knowledge about food preservation, budgeting, nutrition, and household management. Modern 4-H competitions honor this tradition while updating it for contemporary life. When young people compete in skillathons, they are connecting to heritage while preparing for their own futures-a powerful affirmation that local knowledge and values matter.