Athens, Ga. – Jennifer Nettles, the Grammy-award-winning singer songwriter and Georgia 4-H alumna, will serve as honorary chair and host of the 2015 Georgia 4-H Gala, the Georgia 4-H Foundation announced today.
The gala will benefit Georgia 4-H, which is University of Georgia Extension’s statewide youth development program. The black-tie event will be held Aug. 8 at the Loews Atlanta Hotel.
Nettles has a rich history with Georgia 4-H. The Douglas native honed her talent and learned how to make the stage her home through 4-H’s state performing arts programs. For seven years, she was a member of Clovers and Company—the Georgia 4-H youth performing arts group—an experience to which she attributes her performance skills. She also achieved the title of Master 4-H’er, the highest award offered by 4-H, for her performing arts talents.
“I credit 4-H with not only life skills but, definitely, in Clovers and Company, the skills of performing—the amount of time I got to perform, performing in an ensemble, being able to perform with different voices and really learn about being on the stage in a different way than I ever had,” Nettles said. “I’m thrilled to celebrate this incredibly diverse program that continues to shape the lives of thousands of young people in this state and abroad.”
Her involvement and leadership in Georgia 4-H did not end on the stage. Nettles served as a camp counselor at Rock Eagle 4-H Center and as a district and state 4-H officer.
“We are honored Jennifer is hosting the gala,” said Arch Smith, the state 4-H leader and director of Georgia 4-H. “Her dedication and commitment to the future of Georgia 4-H are incredible. 4-H continues to be an organization where youth can grow, thrive and learn. It’s our alumni like Jennifer who continue to shout our praises and offer support so that the 4-H program can continue for future generations.
“To others, Jennifer is a superstar. To Georgia 4-H, she’s family, and we are so proud of her success.”
The Georgia 4-H Foundation hosted its first gala in 2001 in part to honor the winner of Georgia 4-H’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The event features a dinner, auctions and optional after-party.
For sponsorship opportunities or to purchase tickets, see www.georgia4hfoundation.org/gala or call the Georgia 4-H Foundation at 706-542-8914.
Georgia 4-H
4-H is a youth development program within a nationwide network of 110 land-grant university extension programs. The organization promotes leadership, citizenship, communication and education to young people ages nine to 19. In Georgia, 4-H touches more than 165,000 youths in every corner of the state—from urban neighborhoods to suburban schoolyards to rural farming communities. For more information on Georgia 4-H, see www.georgia4h.org or call 706-542-4444. For more information on UGA Extension, see extension.uga.edu or call 1-800-ASK-UGA1.
