Floyd County 4-H Wins 2026 National LifeSmarts Championship

Floyd County 4-H Wins 2026 National LifeSmarts Championship

Students traveled to Orlando, Florida to compete at the 2026 National LifeSmarts Championship

For immediate release: April 23, 2026

The student team from Floyd County 4-H traveled to Orlando, Florida to compete for a chance at the 2026 LifeSmarts national title. The Floyd County Team placed 1st in the Nation with each team member receiving a $1,500 scholarship. 46 teams competed at the national level. The Floyd County team ranked in the top 10 in the nation for their TikTok video showcasing Medicine Safety for Over-the-counter prescription. Finally, Joe Rutledge was chosen as LifeSmarts Student of the Year.

LifeSmarts, a consumer education competition that challenges teens in grades 9-12 about personal finance, health and safety, the environment, technology and workforce preparation, and consumer rights and responsibilities, is a program of the National Consumers League (NCL).

The Floyd County 4-H team qualified for the national LifeSmarts by placing second in the Georgia 4-H State Contest.

The team is coached by Floyd County 4-H Volunteer Phyllis Allee and 4-H Agent Abbie Salmon. Students include: Abigail Moon, Joe Rutledge, Finley Smith, and Tabitha Smith

In 32 years, LifeSmarts has educated more than 1 million students about core consumer topics, helped students develop critical thinking skills, and provided leadership opportunities. LifeSmarts students also give back through a variety of community service projects. 

“LifeSmarts participants are able to learn about consumer topics such as the tell-tale signs of fraud, OTC medicine safety, their credit scores, and much more. Too often, traditional high school curriculum fails to teach students vital information to become successful adults, and LifeSmarts helps to close that gap” said Sally Greenberg, Executive Director of NCL, a Washington, DC-based national nonprofit watchdog organization.

About LifeSmarts

LifeSmarts is a program of the National Consumers League. State coordinators implement the program locally. For more information, visit: LifeSmarts.org, email lifesmarts@nclnet.org. The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. NCL’s mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. NCL is a private, nonprofit membership organization. For more information about NCL, visit nclnet.org

About 4-H

Georgia 4-H enables youth to become excellent citizens by developing necessary life skills, positive relationships, and community awareness. As the largest youth leadership organization in the state, 4-H reaches more than 240,000 people annually through UGA Extension offices and 4-H facilities. For more information about how to get involved 4-H in your community, contact your local University of Georgia County Extension Office or visit www.georgia4h.org.