Posted: April 22, 2024
Pennsylvania 2024 4-H Volunteer of the Year Sarah Burke, of Venango County, has garnered recognition beyond the state as the Northeast Region and National Volunteer of the Year as part of the annual 4-H Salute to Excellence Awards program.
Burke (left) and Paranick (right)
Yvonne Paranick, also of Venango County, was named as the Pennsylvania 2024 Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer.
Each year, state 4‑H programs nominate two outstanding individual volunteers through the 4‑H Salute to Excellence Awards. The Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer Award is given to an individual who has spent 10 or more years as a 4‑H volunteer, while the Volunteer of the Year Award is given to an individual who has volunteered for 4‑H less than 10 years. State awardees are considered for regional awards, and the national honorees are chosen from among the regional winners in each category.
As part of the Northeast Regional Volunteer of the Year Award, Burke will receive a plaque, and a $500 donation will be made in her name to the Venango County 4-H program. As the National Volunteer of the Year, Burke also will receive an engraved crystal bowl, and Venango County 4-H will receive a $2,000 donation in her name.
Burke is the head organizational leader of Wild Hogs 4-H Club and a team leader for Venango Teen Council. She is also the county’s Livestock Committee chair.
Burke grew up in the 4-H program and returned because of her love of the program and her desire to give youth the best possible experience.
"Sarah is a hard worker and very good at getting things done," Abby Brockett, 4-H youth development extension educator, wrote in nominating Burke for the award. "She shows up to every Venango County event to support all of our groups, and she's always available to her kids and fellow leaders. Sarah also encourages youth to try new projects and attend camps."
As a part of the team that runs Venango Teen Council, Burke emphasizes cooperation, Brockett noted. She works well with her fellow leaders and encourages the teens to take on leadership positions and responsibilities in the Venango 4-H community. Brockett said Burke also believes in fostering skills that youth can use into adulthood.
In both the Wild Hogs Club and the Teen Council, the youth run their own meetings, organize their events, and manage their budgets. The Teen Council is in charge of several of Venango's biggest promotional 4-H events. Burke is a driving force behind these events, helps the youth stay organized, and makes sure that every member has a role in planning and carrying out these events, Brockett explained. She added that Burke consistently goes out of her way to engage the community and gain sponsorships in support of both the Teen Council and Livestock Committee.
The majority of Venango County's 4-H youth are working on livestock projects. When she volunteered as the Livestock Committee chair, Burke's goal was to steer the committee in a positive direction that benefitted all livestock species and members. According to Brockett, Burke has done an excellent job of keeping meetings organized and making everyone feel like they have a voice.
Paranick is a retired teacher who has been part of the county's 4-H program for more than 50 years. She participated in 4-H as a child and said the impact was so immense that she returned as an adult to volunteer in a range of roles.
Brockett wrote: "Yvonne is at the front lines of every one of our events to make sure things go smoothly and everyone feels welcome. She ensures that Venango’s presence is felt beyond the county level by raising awareness of regional, state, and national events and by raising money to fund these ventures."
Brockett pointed out that Paranick is dedicated to creating opportunities for the 4-H youth to travel to new places, meet new people, and gain new skills. Since Paranick became the vice president of the 4-H Development Committee, Venango County has sent more youth and counselors to 4-H events across the region, state, and country than ever before.
Paranick also uses her community ties to support the 4-H program. She encourages community partners to donate to 4-H programs, uses her work as a Penn State Extension Master Gardener to promote 4-H plant projects and recruit kids to 4-H, and works with the local Bridge Builders Foundation to set up scholarships for 4-H alumni.
"Yvonne is a member of the Venango Extension Council as well because she wants to make sure that 4-H and Master Gardeners continue to run strong and support the community," Brockett said. "She goes above and beyond to ensure that Venango 4-H’ers get the best possible experience."
In addition to roles in 4-H, Paranick is also an active member of Zion Lutheran Church and Oil City Garden Club. She supports the Venango County Fair and received the prestigious Friend of the Fair Award in 2023.
Administered in Pennsylvania by Penn State Extension, 4-H is a community of more than 6 million young people across America learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. Penn State Extension 4-H youth development educators in all 67 counties administer local 4-H programs through nonformal education and outreach. More information about Pennsylvania 4-H and local county programs is available on the Penn State 4-H Extension website.
