With 77 different entries this year, the judges for the Crenshaw County 4-H Baked Foods Contest had some difficult decisions to make. The contest is sponsored by the Crenshaw County Extension Agency.

&#8220The most fun I had with it was just cooking it and winning,” Cody Adams, a fourth grader at Luverne Elementary, said. &#8220I've made other cakes before, like a red velvet or a chocolateŠI had to stand in a chair to stir things when I was six or seven, but not now.”

Adams won first place in the Junior Division I with his Fresh Apple Cake. In the same category, second place went to Tristyn Pierce of Highland Home Elementary for her cinnamon rolls, and third place went to Jessie Flack of Highland Home for her Mississippi Mid Cake. Honorable Mention was awarded to Austin Dawkins of HHS for his lemon cookies.

Jessie Flack, who is also in the fourth grade at HHS, said that she likes to watch the famous chef Emeril on the Food Network Channel.

&#8220I like the foods he cooks,” she said. &#8220I'll probably do this again next year.”

In the Junior Division II, Clark Kilcrease of Brantley Elementary came in first place, while Elaina Baugh of LES came in second. Katy Schaefer of Brantley School placed third, and Brittany Hurley of LES took Honorable Mention. Hurley made cornbread for the competition.

&#8220I used my grandmother's cornbread recipe, Mrs. Effie Louise Helton,” Hurley said. &#8220I knew a lot of people would make sweets, so I wanted to do something differentŠ.I want to make an apple crumb pie next year.”

In the Senior Division I, Sitembile Lee of Brantley High School won first place.

In the Senior Division II, first place went to TaRonda Randall of Brantley High School, second place was awarded to Miranda Daniels of Luverne High School for her chicken and dumplings, and third place went to Brian Parrish of LHS.

Crenshaw County Extension Agent Kim Graham said the judges had a difficult time choosing the winners.

&#8220We are so proud of these kids,” Graham said. &#8220They are definitely keeping a great southern tradition alive by learning to cook at such an early age.”

All of the first-place winners will compete at the Regional Round-Up at Troy University this summer.