Posted: April 29, 2019
Nicole Sciubba, 4-H Poultry Leader from Delaware County, received the 2019 Carolyn Blum Memorial Pennsylvania Poultry Youth Service Award at the annual Youth Poultry 101 Conference on April 27 at Penn State’s University Park campus. The award recognizes adults who have given outstanding service to youth poultry programs in Pennsylvania.
Phillip Clauer and Nicole Sciubba with the plaque recognizing her
Nicole Sciubba, 4-H Poultry Leader from Delaware County, received the 2019 Carolyn Blum Memorial Pennsylvania Poultry Youth Service Award at the annual Youth Poultry 101 Conference on April 27 at Penn State's University Park campus. The award recognizes adults who have given outstanding service to youth poultry programs in Pennsylvania.
Presented annually by Penn State's Department of Animal Science, the award was first given in 2009 and is now named in memory of the first recipient, Carolyn Blum, Montgomery County, who died unexpectedly six years ago.
Nicole has been a volunteer at the Delaware County Extension's Educational Farm in Newtown Square for 11 years and her leadership has touched more than 400 young people, helping them better understand agriculture and the poultry industry. She was commended for her exceptional commitment to trying new and creative avenues to help educate 4-H youth.
Rebecca McCafferty, 4-H Educator, Penn State Extension, Delaware County, said, "Nicole understands the mission of 4-H and epitomizes the 'Learn by Doing' ethic that is 4-H. She believes in connecting our 4-H projects with the myriad animal and ag-sciences career opportunities available to them and is always willing to go above and beyond to help our program and ultimately our youth. She is always looking for new ways to improve and grow our program."
She noted that Nicole has a great working relationship with diverse community resources, ranging from local feed stores to UPenn - New Bolton Field Services. By connecting these organizations to our program, she consistently coordinates educational opportunities to engage youth members.
Brendan Quinn, a Delaware County 4-H member, said, "Nicole has been and is an exceptional leader in the Delaware County 4-H poultry program; however her dedication extends past the classroom." He explained that Nicole is supportive of all the shows and fairs where members exhibit birds, noting that she often travels to fairs in Harrisburg or Maryland, sometimes more than once a day and at her own expense, to ensure members can participate in every competition and take every opportunity to show birds. "On top of all that, she was proud of all of us and was genuinely excited to see us win competitions and awards."
Quinn noted that it was Nicole who encouraged him to join 4-H as an 11-year-old, adding, "I did not realize it at the time, but 4-H would go on to heavily influence my life and work ethic."
Phillip Clauer, 4-H Youth Poultry Program Coordinator with the Department of Animal Science at Penn State, said, "Nicole has provided outstanding leadership to 4-H poultry programs, always encouraging and supporting young people and their projects. We value the contributions she has made not only in Delaware County, but also on the state level."
Amanda DiAndrea, Berwyn, whose daughter is a 4-H member, said, "Nicole has always encouraged my daughter and her peers to work hard and to do their best. She is an excellent mentor and an example of true leadership with the benefit of the kids always first."
DiAndrea said Nicole has dedicated countless hours to help the children prepare for statewide avian bowl contests, and has ensured that they have everything they need to compete in local and regional shows. "If the kids want to learn something new she works to help them learn through hands-on participation."
