Clover Bowl is an interactive contest used to acquaint 4-H members with themselves and their surroundings through participating in an enjoyable and educational program. In addition to this main purpose, it is hoped that this program will help participants develop leadership, teamwork, and communication skills. Information for questions are in the areas of 4-H, Tennessee (history, geography, and government), agriculture, life skills, and science.

The program is a single elimination tournament style contest that the children put in many hours of studying for in addition to their regular school work. Teams compete at an in-school or local contest with one team in each grade, fourth thru eighth, progressing to a county contest. Finalists at the county competition are invited to a regional event held on the University of Tennessee’s campus.

This year the 2019 Eastern Region Clover Bowl will be held on Wednesday, May 15 at the Alumni Memorial Building on campus. Registration is from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. The opening ceremony will begin at 10:00 a.m. in Cox Auditorium with contests quickly following starting the seed round.

The Clover Bowl began in 1994 in Wilson County when a need was identified for 4-H'ers to become more knowledgeable in the information areas of 4-H, agriculture, and family and consumer sciences. The contest is now widely known and participated in by an estimated 10,000 4-Her’s at the county level in sixty four counties.

In the region division, a team must have four member to compete, so it is recommended that all teams study with a fifth alternate in case of an absence on contest day. The first place team in each grade division will receive a rotating award to be displayed in the county for the year. Coaches receive an award as well. Individual members of the winning team receive a trophy and a Clover Bowl tee shirt.

The countywide contest for Union County was held at Revival Vision Church on Tuesday, April 15 with registration at 5:00 p.m. and contests at 5:30 p.m. Each of the county’s five elementary schools had a fourth and fifth grade team to participate at this level. One team from each grade will advance to the region contest.

Maynardville Elementary was named the fourth grade champion with team members Madelyn Paxton, Adelina Montoya, Aiden Bowman, and James Liberty competing. Sharps Chapel Elementary can be congratulated as the fifth grade winning team. Team members competing were Graciella Linkous, Troy Ellison, Branson Roark, and Bailey Capps. Congratulations to these and well wishes as they represent the county at the regional level.

Other fourth grade teams include: Luttrell Elementary – McKenley Howard, Weston Beeler, Bradley, Douglas, and Serenity Lackey; Sharps Chapel Elementary – Sophie Queener, Jordan Ellison, Kassidee Weaver, Gabriella Linkous, and alternate Ousley Williams; Paulette Elementary – Bradley Williams, Ella Branscomb, Max Corum, Jaxon Bailey, and alternate Kayman Holt; and Big Ridge Elementary – Alivia Nicely, Janaya Lawrence, Keasha Williams, and Connor Yeazel.

Fifth grade teams competing include: Big Ridge Elementary – Trent Jones, Kallie Buck, Kaylee Venable, Emily Sizemore, and alternate Ben Woods; Luttrell Elementary – Kailei Beeler, Madison Dyer, Olivia Jones, and Katie Johnson; Paulette Elementary – Justice Lionts, Valentina Moshe, Trinity Mitchell, and Ashleigh Cain; and Maynardville Elementary – Kaison Paxton, Jaiana Peace, Rhiana Peace, Mary Caroline Mondaya, and alternate Allie Dake.

In addition there will be a Union County sixth grade with team members Katie Dykes, Jace Walker, Kelsey Holt, and Reece Moore and a seventh grade team members Leslie White, Rebecca Boynton, Kaylee Brown, and Abigail Dyer to compete at the next level. These students put in a tremendous amount of work and deserve a pat on the back for the knowledge and obedience they have gained from this experience. Way to go Union County students!