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Newton County 4-H wraps up 2024-25 public speaking program
4-H students
Staff Report
Published: Mar 17, 2025, 5:28 PM

The beginning of March marked the end of the Newton County 2024-25 4-H District Project Achievement (Public Speaking) program. This program is a part of youth development in Georgia 4-H, giving students from grades four through 12 a chance to explore interests, develop important life skills and gain confidence through public speaking and project presentations. 

Cloverleaf (4th-6th Grade) District Project Achievement

On Feb. 8, Newton County 4-H hosted a district-wide public speaking competition for fourth through sixth-graders at Newton County STEAM Academy. The event saw 284 competitors from 14 counties. Newton County 4-H had 32 participants in various categories. 

For these young students, the focus is on hands-on learning, building self-confidence and sharing knowledge. They present their projects in their classrooms, advance to county-level competitions and eventually compete at the district level. 

Newton County 4-H’ers earned many awards, with 59 percent placing in the top three in their categories. Newton County 4-H also received the Outstanding Participation award for a 52 percent increase in participation over 2024. The wide range of presentation topics included desiccant dehumidifiers, the history of Mansfield, dairy cows and spirograph art.

Junior/Senior (7th-12th Grade) District Project Achievement

The weekend of Feb. 28, 483 youth from the Northwest District traveled to Rock Eagle 4-H Center for the Junior/Senior District Project Achievement Competition. 

Newton County was represented by 16 middle and high school 4-H’ers who had prepared for months. 

This two-part contest began last fall when participants worked to submit a portfolio that tells the story of a 4-H’ers achievement and growth, characterized by a strong vision of content, skills and learning. 

After submitting the portfolio in January, the youth created their demonstrations. This year, Newton County youth prepared speeches, dances, vocal ensembles, original monologues and food lab demonstrations. 

Throughout the weekend, participants competed, practiced citizenship by electing peers to represent Northwest District 4-H, participated in community service and learned a few new line dances. On Sunday morning, 14 Newton County 4-H’ers returned home with medals for placing in the top three of their categories.

“Newton County 4-H staff and volunteers are incredibly proud of all the 4-H’ers that stepped outside their comfort zones and showed the world that they are not afraid of public speaking!” stated a press release.

For more information about Newton County 4-H, including next year’s competition, upcoming summer activities, and camps, contact the Newton County 4-H office at 770-784-2010 or by emailing newton.extension@uga.edu. For any visitors, the office is located on the second floor of the Newton County Administrative Building, 1113 Usher St. Suite 202 in Covington.
Annual Prayer Breakfast Rescheduled
Kelvin J. Cochran
Speaker Kelvin J. Cochran. - photo by Contributed Photo
Staff Report
Published: Mar 17, 2025, 5:33 PM

The annual community prayer breakfast has been rescheduled to April 11 at 7:00 a.m. at the Turner Lake Recreation Complex. The speaker will be Kelvin J. Cochran who currently serves as senior fellow and vice president for Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), where he is responsible for overseeing the Leadership Development Program and Prayer Initiative Team and speaks at ADF events to engage and promote ADF’s mission to defend religious liberty. He also supports ADF’s Church and Ministry Alliance by working to increase its partners. 

Cochran dedicated over 30 years of his life to fighting fires and protecting the communities in which he has lived and worked. After being born into extreme poverty in Shreveport, La., he worked his way up the ranks and became Shreveport’s fire chief in 1999 where he served until he was appointed fire chief for the city of Atlanta, Ga. in 2008.

Cochran’s exemplary service record drew the attention of President Barack Obama, who appointed Cochran as the administrator of the U.S. Fire Administration in 2009, the highest office in his profession. He resumed his post as Atlanta Fire Chief in 2010.

Prior to his role at ADF, Cochran served as chief operating officer of Elizabeth Baptist Church in Atlanta. He is the author of two books, a sought-after public speaker and is an advocate for religious liberty and unity of the body of Christ.

The public is invited to this event which is hosted each year by the Kiwanis Club of Covington and Covington Rotary Club. Its purpose is to unite the community in truth and love and to provide a unique opportunity to assemble and pray together for our leaders, churches, and each other.