<p>Press Release</p><p>Donna Mull Extension Agent, 4-H PO Box 389 Newton, NC 28658 [email protected] 828-465-8240 8-13-2012</p><p>4-H Delegation Attends Electric Congress - Youth from Catawba County attended the annual 4-H Electric Congress earlier in the summer at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Two hundred and twenty 4-H’ers, adult leaders and Cooperative Extension agents from 61 counties attended the three-day event. </p><p>During 4-H Electric Congress, Sophia Sharp, a Catawba County 4-H’er was recognized as the first place Electric Cumulative Record winner within the Duke Power Terriority. Sharp is the 15- year old daughter or Rebecca and Doug Sharp, and a student at Maiden High School. The award is based on her long-term involvement and accomplishment in the 4-H electric project which included teaching energy and electric workshops, conducting energy related experiments, and participating in science fairs. </p><p>The Catawba County delegation attending 4-H Electric Congress consisted of David and Jackie McCoy, Sophia Sharp, and Jarrett Mull. All these youth are members of the Amazing Circuits 4- H Electric Club and have been active in electric project work. They were accompanied by Rebecca Sharp and Brenda McCoy, 4-H volunteers, and Donna Mull, Catawba County 4-H Agent.</p><p>Since 1947, Progress Energy, Duke Energy and Dominion North Carolina Power have sponsored the annual conference to emphasize energy conservation and safe electricity use. The 4-H electric energy program is one of the most popular activities among Tar Heel 4-H’ers. 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 235,000 young people between the ages of 5 and 19 participate in North Carolina 4-H activities each year with the help of 21,500 adult and youth volunteers. </p><p>For more information about getting involved in the Amazing Circuits 4-H Club or other science related 4-H clubs, contact the Cooperative Extension Office, at 828-465-8240 or e-mail [email protected]. </p><p>Picture 1: Catawba County 4-H’ers attending Electric Congress were (back, left to right) David McCoy, Brenda McCoy, Sophia Sharp, Rebecca Sharp, and Wayne Huddleston, Business Relations Manager with Duke Energy. Front Row: Jackie McCoy, Jarrett Mull, and Donna Mull, Catawba County 4-H Agent. The youth earned a trip to Electric Congress based on their award winning project work in electricity and energy. Picture 2: Sophia Sharp, a 15-year old Catawba County 4-H’ers and student at Maiden High School, was recognized as the first place Electric Project winner during 4-H Electric Congress. Ray Best (right), Regional Business Director, with Duke Energy present Sophia Sharp (left) with plaque recognizing her as the first place Electric Cumulative Record winner during 4-H Electric Congress held at UNC-Wilmington. Sharp was also awarded an I-pad as the first place winner. </p>