ELIZABETHTOWN — Bladen County 4-H’ers took part in the 2015 North Carolina 4-H Congress, held in July 18-21. The event attracted 518 youth and their adult leaders for activities including presentations on a variety of subjects, leadership and citizenship training, service opportunities, officer elections and more.

2015 4-H Congress participants and awards presented to Bladen County youth included:

— Mackensie Singletary, 10, daughter of Danny and Melissa Singletary, won gold for her presentation in the 9-10 age group of Dairy Foods competition. This was her first time competing in state presentation finals.

— Jacie Kinlaw, 10, daughter of Jamie and Stacie Kinlaw, won bronze for her presentation about How to Sew a Decorative Pillow in the 9-10 age group of Family and Consumer Science competition. This was also her first time competing in state presentation finals.

— John Hunter Elks, 10, son of Chrystal Outland, won bronze for his presentation about Fire Safety in the 9-10 age group of Safety competition. This was his first time competing in state presentation finals.

— Hannah Wheeless, 12, daughter of Daren and Melanie Wheeless, won bronze for her presentation about dental health in the 11-13 age group of Health and Fitness competition. This was Hannah’s first time participating in state presentation finals.

— Clinton Ryckeley, 13, son of Mike and Janice Ryckeley, participated in the 11-13 age group competition for Small and Companion Animals presentations. This was Clinton’s first time participating in state finals.

— Alexandra Evans, 16, daughter of Brad and Kelly Evans, competed in the senior Horticulture presentation category, giving a very detailed speech about herb gardening. Alexandra also participated in the following three days of workshops, leadership training, and service opportunities that comprised the2015 4-H Congress.

— Anna Marie Smith, 14, daughter of Greg and Crystal Smith, competed in the senior Livestock presentation competition, giving a demonstration about how to prepare to you’re your goat in the livestock arena. Anna also attended this year’s 4-H Congress and participated in the leadership workshop tracks, service projects, etc.

The 4-H program is the youth education program of North Carolina Cooperative Extension, based at North Carolina State and North Carolina A&T State universities. More than 232,000 young people between the ages of 5 and 19 participate in North Carolina 4-H activities each year with the help of 20,563 adult and youth volunteers.

Staff report