Each year, Pennsylvania 4-H, administered by Penn State Extension, nominates two outstanding individual volunteers as part of its 4-H Salute to Excellence awards. This year, Peter Nebzydoski, of Northampton County, received the Volunteer of the Year Award, and Denise Ancharski-Stutler, of Bucks County, was selected for the Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer Award.

The Volunteer of the Year Award is given to an individual who has volunteered for 4-H for fewer than 10 years, and the Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer Award is given to an individual who has spent 10 or more years as a 4-H volunteer.

Over the past five years, Nebzydoski has gone above and beyond as a volunteer to create new and meaningful educational opportunities that inspire young people to learn, lead and grow.

“It has been inspiring to see such a positive individual flourish in a program but also equally inspiring to see how he has helped the program flourish,” said his nominator, Amy Hofmann, 4-H youth development extension educator.

As a new volunteer, Nebzydoski worked to create a new club in an urban area of Bethlehem that lacked one, filling a need the county was seeking. He regularly works to schedule, organize and plan programming for the club, including new programs, guest speakers and field trips.

Additionally, he encourages his 4-H members to participate in the club and in regional and state events, providing them with opportunities to gain new experiences. He volunteered to lead a workshop for campers in a specialized program that introduced them to amateur radio. The program taught them both technical skills and the responsibility that comes with effective communication.

“He approaches volunteer service with professionalism and heart,” Hofmann said. “He’s always willing to lend a hand to ensure that programs are organized and welcoming to all participants.”

Nebzydoski also promotes and assists with the Northampton County 4-H program, being the first volunteer to help when needed to trial a program, speak at an event or serve as a chaperone.

“His consistent dedication and willingness to share his knowledge and passion for the 4-H program are empowering and have made a lasting impact on Northampton County 4-H,” Hofmann said.

As a 4-H volunteer for more than 25 years, Ancharski-Stutler is known for her lifelong dedication to educating and growing the potential of youth.

Before becoming a volunteer, she was an active 4-H member herself. Through projects in sewing, quilting, gardening and veterinary and animal science, she developed leadership, public speaking, time management and teamwork skills that shaped both her personal and professional life.

As a member, she served as president, vice president and secretary of her community club, competed in fashion reviews, raised and leased a dairy calf, participated in veterinary science programming and became deeply involved in rabbit projects.

Ancharski-Stutler was a member of the first Bucks County Rabbit Bowl team to win the Knowledge Bowl competition at 4-H State Achievement Days and earned the title of 1996 Pennsylvania State Rabbit Queen. She said these influential experiences instilled in her a deep belief in the power of teamwork, sportsmanship and mentorship.

She said her personal mantra is, “It is not about the color of the ribbon or size of the prize but the experiences you had, lessons learned, fun you had and memories you made along the way.” This continues to guide her work with youth today, she said.

For more than two decades, she has created welcoming, structured and educational environments where young people learn responsibility through proper animal care, build confidence through competition and develop resilience through both wins and losses.

Families and volunteers say they trust her to educate and lead because she is dependable, prepared and thoughtful in her decision-making, and families consistently return to her clubs because of the welcoming, supportive environment she fosters.

“She embodies professionalism, character and continuous growth,” said Sarah Grogan, Bucks County 4-H educator who nominated Ancharski-Stutler for the award. “Her volunteer service reflects not only what she offers to 4-H but how deeply 4-H has shaped who she is.”

Administered in Pennsylvania by Penn State Extension, 4-H is a nonformal educational youth development program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that helps young people develop knowledge and skills to become capable, caring and contributing citizens. To find your local program, visit the Penn State Extension website at extension.psu.edu/programs/4-H.