The 4-H 14^th Annual Southern Region Team Leadership Conference is right around the corner, Sept. 20-23, and one student from Franklin County is going to be attending.

Caitlin Brown, a freshman at Tharptown High School, was selected based on her application, which included a portfolio and reference letters.

Brown has been involved with 4-H since the fourth grade.

“I enjoy being creative and getting to meet a lot of different people,” Brown said.

She had to submit two items to Alabama’s 4-H to be considered for the conference. One item was her Extreme Birdhouse project, for which she received first place.

“We had to use items from our home. My brother helped me collect them,” she said. “I used a lot of buttons, some pinecones, ice cream containers and even one of his old boots.” Her fairy-themed birdhouse, she explained, was designed more for decoration than durability.

Her other entry was an achievement portfolio, for which she was runner-up at the state level. According to 4-H Extension Agent Janet Lovelady, the portfolio showcases Brown’s work with 4-H.

“I’ve only known her for a short period of time, but she has really stood out with her project work and leadership skills,” Lovelady said.

Brown has also been involved in speech and a design challenge, in which she had to design her dream room using a set budget.

At the conference, students will participate in team building exercises, which Brown said she is looking forward to because she is excited to meet all of the new people.

Lovelady said each attendee to the conference has to take something that represents his or her county. Brown will be taking goodie bags of watermelon-themed candies to give out.