Friday, September 30th, 2022 Alyshia Victoria, the Union County Family Consumer Science Agent, and four hopeful 4-Hers headed down to UT’s campus to compete in the first ever 4-H/FCS Skillathon. 4-Hers Gracie Tindell, Zeeva Boucher, Silas Whitley, and Meradeth Whitley, participated in the judging competition hoping to make it to the top ten. For those who do not know how the Skillathon works, the 4-Hers are divided into two groups, junior high and senior high, based on their grades. The Union County team competed in the junior high division while our senior competed as an individual. Silas, Zeeva, and Gracie participated as a three-person team so they were also required to do a presentation. Meradeth attended as an individual, therefore only competing in the judging. The contestants were all sent into rooms where they worked on identifying objects from the following categories: cooking, housing and interior, and sewing and textiles. In each category the participants are given fifteen minutes to evaluate and identify all items. Whilst the individuals judge, the teams are taken a few at a time to do another part of the contest where they are given a scenario and work together as a team to come up with a solution and present it to the judges. The top ten individuals and top five teams are recognized at the awards ceremony, senior teams who placed in the top two advance onto the state competition where they will represent the Eastern Region 4-H in a contest against 4-Hers from the other two regions of Tennessee. Union County’s junior high team, Silas Whitley, Gracie Tindell, and Zeeva Boucher, came in fifth place out of eleven teams in their division. Meradeth Whitley and Gracie Tindell also both placed in the top ten for their divisions, Meradeth placing third in senior high and Gracie in fourth in junior high. The first 4-H/FCS Skillathon was a success not only for UT Extension but also for the competitors who learned a great deal about foods, cooking, interior design, sewing, financial education and more. Our Union County team is already preparing for the next contest which will be held in June and looking for more members to join them. If your 4-H is interested in competing in this contest please contact the Union County Extension Office at 865.992.8038 or email olivia@utk.edu.