CHARLOTTE--A Greene County 4-H member was named state winner and nine other 4-H'ers were recognized Monday, July 14, for achievement in their 4-H electric energy projects.
Benjamin Thomas, 16, son of Harold and Sue Thomas of Snow Hill, was declared the winner in the 4-H electric energy project during ceremonies of the 50th Annual State 4-H Electric Congress in Asheville. He will receive an expense-paid trip to National 4-H Congress later this year.
Since 1947, the state's four power companies -- CP&L, Duke Power, Nantahala Power and North Carolina Power -- have sponsored the annual 4-H Electric Congress. The program places major emphasis on energy conservation and safe use of electricity and is one of the most popular among Tar Heel 4-H'ers. As part of the 50th anniversary celebration, a reception was held at the congress Monday honoring 50 state winners from 1947 through 1997.
A total of 172 4-H members representing 63 counties won the expense-paid trip to the state congress through their 4-H electric project achievements. In addition to the 4-H delegates, 84 adult leaders, extension agents and power company representatives attended the three-day congress at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. The delegates were treated to a full schedule including presentations, project and recruiting reports, a visit to Carowinds theme park and other recreational activities.
Winners and runners-up from the service territories of the sponsoring power firms were announced also. Each first-place territorial winner received a 13-inch color television with remote control. Second-place territorial winners received portable AM-FM stereo receivers with cassette recorders, and third-place winners received portable AM-FM receivers with cassette players and headphones.
Duke Power territorial winners were Robert Harrison, 15, son of James and Jean Harrison of Mt. Ulla in Iredell County, first place; Jimmy Corbin, 15, son of Berkley and Joyce Corbin of Ruffin in Rockingham County, second place; Shanna Bowman, 14, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dewey G. Bowman of East Bend in Yadkin County, third place.
Territorial winners for North Carolina Power were Brandon Tice, 14, son of Jeffery and Jessica Tice of Moyock in Currituck County, first place; Jason Smith, 14, son of Daniel and Eva Smith of Ahoskie in Hertford County, second place; Timothy Meads, 13, son of Stuart and Joy Meads of Elizabeth City in Pasquotank County, third place.
Carolina Power and Light Company's territorial winners were Dwayne Watson, 18, son of Judy Watson of Sanford in Lee County, first place; Jamie Johnson, 16, daughter of Craig and Karen Johnson of Eagle Springs in Montgomery County, second place; Tanner Leggett, 13, son of Brenda Leggett of Fayetteville in Cumberland County, third place.
Nantahala Power, one of the four sponsoring power companies, had no territorial winners.
The congress is sponsored and conducted by the four power companies and the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service at North Carolina State University.