Milam County 4-H Shines at Texas 4-H Roundup Youth Earn Top Honors While Building Leadership, Knowledge, and Lifelong Friendships

Milam County, TX - Milam County 4-H members represented their county with excellence at the 2026 Texas 4-H Roundup in College Station, showcasing their knowledge, leadership, and dedication through state contests, ambassador trainings, and educational opportunities.

Texas 4-H Roundup is the premier statewide event for senior 4-H members, bringing together youth from across Texas to compete in contests, develop leadership skills, and celebrate the accomplishments of the past year. Throughout the week, Milam County 4-H members demonstrated that success is measured not only by awards earned, but also by the friendships built, lessons learned, and leadership developed along the way.

The week began with three outstanding Milam County 4-H members, Noah Bradley, Maddie Basonic, and Luke Holcombe, participating in the Healthy Texas Youth Ambassador Training. Through this program, they received specialized training in health and wellness education and are now prepared to promote healthy lifestyles throughout Milam County and across Texas.

Milam County 4-H members also competed against some of the best youth in the state, bringing home outstanding contest results.

In the Texas 4-H Ag Product Identification Contest, the team of Maddie Basonic, Noah Bradley, Caleb Fuchs, and Luke Holcombe earned 6th High Team Overall.

Aaron Ponnaiya excelled in the Texas 4-H Plant Identification Contest, placing 3rd High Individual Overall.

The Healthy Lifestyles Team of Maddie Basonic, Noah Bradley, Jadyn Stokley, and Luke Holcombe earned 2nd High Team Overall. Individually, Noah Bradley was named 2nd High Individual Overall, while Maddie Basonic finished 5th High Individual Overall.

The Livestock Judging Team of Shawn Leifeste, Kenzie Hobbs, Adison Dach, and Wylie Butler placed 8th High Team Overall in one of the state's most competitive judging contests.

Additional Milam County 4-H members proudly represented the county during Roundup. Jenna McClurg competed in the Invitational Livestock Judging Contest, while Noah Bradley, Luke Holcombe, and Maddie Basonic showcased their talents in the Texas 4-H Photography Contest.

Milam County also celebrated two outstanding scholarship recipients during Texas 4-H Roundup. Hannah Bakken and Adison Dach each received a prestigious $20,000 Texas 4-H Foundation Scholarship, recognizing their years of dedication, leadership, and achievement in the 4-H program.

The week concluded with Texas 4-H Photography Ambassador Training, where Noah Bradley, Maddie Basonic, and Luke Holcombe joined photography ambassadors from across the state to strengthen their photography techniques, develop advanced leadership skills, and collaborate on ways to promote photography education and leadership opportunities throughout Texas 4-H.

While the awards and placings are certainly worth celebrating, the true value of Texas 4-H Roundup extends far beyond the competition. Throughout the week, Milam County youth gained confidence, strengthened leadership skills, explored future career opportunities, and created lifelong friendships with fellow 4-H members from across the state.

"Texas 4-H Roundup is about much more than winning contests," said Micah Holcombe, Milam County Extension Agent. "It gives our young people the opportunity to challenge themselves, discover new strengths, serve others, and return home ready to make a positive impact in their communities. We are incredibly proud of each member who represented Milam County."

Congratulations to all of our Milam County 4-H members for an outstanding week of achievement, leadership, and growth. Your hard work and dedication continue to make Milam County proud.

Youth interested in developing leadership skills, exploring career opportunities, competing in exciting contests, making lifelong friends, and giving back to their communities are encouraged to join Milam County 4-H. For more information about Milam County 4-H programs, contact the Milam County Extension Office.For more information about Milam County 4-H, please call the Milam County Extension Office at (254) 697-7045 or email Micah Holcombe, FCH Agent, at mlholcombe@ag.tamu.edu or Josh Evans, AG Agent, at josh.evans@ag.tamu.edu.

The members of Texas A&M AgriLife will provide equal opportunities in programs and activities, education, and employment to all persons regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity and will strive to achieve full and equal employment opportunity throughout Texas A&M AgriLife. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating