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The Tennessee 4-H Performing Arts Troupe was selected to perform at the November 6-8 National Youth Summit from among entertainment groups across the country. Download this image for print (39K)

The Tennessee 4-H Performing Arts Troupe will be the featured artist at the Second National Youth Summit in Washington, D.C., November 6-8. The sixteen member troupe will perform three times during the three-day conference, which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Heath and Human Services.

The troupe will open the conference with a rendition of the national anthem during which Jeana Stafford, from Trousdale County, will perform a solo. The troupe will also present an evening patriotic concert "Living in America" and close the summit with a presentation of "God Bless the USA."

The troupe is a one of dozens of 4-H programs sponsored by the University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service. 4-H is the state's largest youth organization, with approximately 236,000 young people in grades 4 through 12 participating. Members of the performing arts troupe are selected annually from statewide auditions. Their many duties include performing at the statewide 4-H Congress, county fairs and other events.

The troupe was selected to perform at the National Youth Summit from among entertainment groups across the country. In addition to performing, the troupe will have the opportunity to participate in skill-building sessions, youth panels, a youth town meeting, and workshops organized around five areas of interest: safe places, healthy choices, positive role models, skill acquisitions and civic engagement.

The National Youth Summit brings together national, state and community leaders, youth service providers, nationally acclaimed experts in youth development and young people who are active in their communities.

In addition to Stafford, the other members of the troupe include: Quinton Cason and O'Keefe Hassell, Wilson County; James Donaldson and his sister Katie Donaldson, Knox County; Will Elliott, Robertson County; Jolanda Harrell, Crockett County; Elliot Hill, Sumner County; Holly Lane, Putnam County; Kelly League, Rutherford County; Garrett Martin and Jason Roberts, Warren County; Sammie Moore, Marion County; Morgan Rudolph, Montgomery County; Paul Sherrouse, Coffee County; and Caity Woodard, Williamson County.

Six adults help with the troupe and will accompany them on the trip: Jeff Adcock, a volunteer leader from Rutherford County; Glenda Booker, retired 4-H agent from Wilson County; Jill Martz, Extension youth development specialist; Denise Patton, troupe choreographer and director from Sumner County; Jim Stewart, Central District Extension program leader in Nashville and troupe technical director; and Pat Whitaker, Extension area youth development specialist in Nashville and troupe coordinator.

More information about the National Youth Summit is available online at http://conferences.jbs.biz/ncfy/

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Contacts: Jill Martz, 865-974-7435; Patricia McDaniels, 865-974-7141