Bladen County 4-H members participated in the annual State 4-H Congress held July21-25 at North Carolina State University in Raleigh.

The major purpose of 4-H Congress is to perpetuate the reputation of 4-H as a major statewide educational program; to improve delegates knowledge of current issues through educational experiences such as speaker, discussion groups, and workshops; and to provide an opportunity to develop and exercise leadership skills through serving on committees and participating in other activities.

Three Bladen youth participated in contests designed to test their knowledge of specific subjects. Wesley Hollis competed in the Pork Cookery senior division; John Patrick Kelly competed in the Turkey Barbecue junior division; and Brittany Hollis competed in Communication and Expressive Arts junior division, for which she won a silver medal.

Kelva Autry and William Corbett represented Bladen County at the Teen Summit events. The 2003 NC Teen Summit is a collaboration of Communities in Schools, the N. C. Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service, and the Department of 4-H Youth Development and the N. C. Cooperative Extension at North Carolina State University.

The teens were challenged to develop a mission statement, a vision and a strategic plan