Local Wins Statewide 4-H Award

Former Bartow County and Georgia Distinguished Young Woman Mary Clayton Gilbert, who finished in the top ten in the national competition, has won the Georgia 4-H Leadership in Action award.

But unlike the other awards, she won't use it attend the University of Oklahoma to study in the school of Musical Theater. 

Gilbert this year served as volunteer chair of ’s annual talent show. The $1,000 award is earmarked for the 2013 production, and will be spent on a first-class microphone and sound system for the show and to help publicize its 20th anniversary.

The competitive award was granted recently at the 70th-annual state 4-H Congress, and is sponsored by 4-H alumnus Jayson Dukes to recognize the outstanding work of youth as leaders.

Gilbert is the daughter of Regina and Dr. Tom Gilbert of Cartersville and the sister of the also talented Anna and Thomas Gilbert. 

"It was a pleasure to work with Mary Clayton and her team this year, and I don’t expect we will have to wait many more years to see her name in lights. I want to be in the front row!” said Patty Eagar, executive director of Advocates.