Chattooga County 4-H member Matt Hicks has been offered and has accepted a leadership counselor position for this summer for the University of Georgia Extension Service Camping Programs. Only 15 college students, juniors or seniors, are offered the elite positions.

In this position, Hicks will be leading more than 80, first or second year, college students who are camp counselors.

Hicks is the first Chattooga County student ever offered a position of this caliber, according to Extension Office director Rebecca Thomas. He is a senior at Georgia Tech and a Master 4-H'er.

Thomas says that students selected for this position are "the cream of the crop in maturity, integrity, and ability to motivate.  

Thomas said Hicks had to apply for the position and undergo several interviews to see if he would be able to handle the work load and have the ability to discipline other counselors and make ethical decisions. Thomas said Hicks will be an inspiration to the thousand of young people he will come into contact with in his position.

Hicks has been a 4-H counselor for the past two years. His first summer was spent at Camp Fortson in Atlanta, and last year he was at Rock Eagle.  

Thomas said, " I have had thousands of 4-H'ers who I have worked with over the past 18 years and Matt is one of the best!.

She said sometimes she wonders if she makes a difference, but today she is a happy "second" mama. Though all the experiences 4-H offers, each one offers those teachable moments that build on one another to teach decision making skills and good judgement.

 Today, Hicks will receive a box to open that will reveal what position, of 15, he will be leading this summer.

AM1180 congratulates Matt Hicks on his exciting position.