Pennsylvania 4-H Reveals New State Council Team

In addition to hosting leadership-oriented workshops and recognizing Pennsylvania 4-H state-level award winners, Penn State Extension 4-H administrators at the conference unveiled the new Pennsylvania 4-H State Council team.

The council is a premier group of young people selected from around the state as the official youth spokespeople for the Pennsylvania 4-H program. Throughout the next year of their term, these individuals will represent the program at industry gatherings, plan state-level events, and attend 4-H activities and meetings across the commonwealth:

— Giuseppe Schiano Di Cola, Montgomery County, president.

Schiano Di Cola is a junior at North Penn High School. He participates in Junior Toastmasters and sewing projects. In 2024, he was a Diamond Clover Award recipient and delegate to National 4-H Congress.

"4-H has helped me attain public speaking skills and helped me evolve into someone who can speak anywhere," he said. "I am excited to use that skill on State Council but also in my future life. Public speaking skills are needed to thrive in any position."

Schiano Di Cola plans to study political science in college and eventually become a lawyer. He is the son of Vinny and Amy Schiano Di Cola, of Hatfield Township.

— Alyssa Bergenstock, Montour County, secretary.

Bergenstock is a senior at Danville Area High School. She participates in North-Mont Livestock, breeding and market goats, and market lambs.

"4-H taught me about public speaking," she said. "When I entered 4-H, I was shy and refused to speak, even in a small group. After my first presentation, I found my voice and used that to continue to grow throughout my 4-H career."

Bergenstock plans to study agriculture in college, with an eye toward eventually working in the plant science field advancing technology. She is the child of Rob Bergenstock and Kelly Haddock, of Danville.

— Grace Ziegmont, York County, communications committee.

Ziegmont is a homeschooled senior. Her 4-H clubs include Wildlife Watchers, York County Shooting Sports and York County Teen Council. She has participated in archery, air pistol, wildlife and leadership projects.

"4-H has taught me to advocate for myself and others through being an officer in my club and getting the chance to uplift often overlooked voices," she said. "This is a skill I use both in and out of 4-H and will be able to carry with me in my future career."

Ziegmont plans to finish her associate degree in photography at Harrisburg Area Community College and then study political science at the University of Maine. She is the daughter of Tara Gerner, of Etters.

— Ariana Cook, Bradford County, communications committee.

Cook is a senior at Towanda Area Junior/Senior High School and is a member of Towanda Creek Community Clovers, Bradford County Council and the Bradford County Potato Judging Club. Throughout nine years in 4-H, she has completed projects in entomology, leadership, breeding goats and rabbits, and exchange.

"Public speaking and communication are skills that 4-H has taught me that I will carry throughout my life," she said. "Through club meetings, poster presentations, project interviews, events and leadership roles, 4-H has given me many opportunities to learn how to talk to people and speak in front of groups."

Cook previously served as a State Project Ambassador for Environmental Science, Shooting Sports, and Camping. She plans to attend Penn State and study agricultural science. Her parents are Brian and Angela Cook, of Monroeton.

— Patricia Shively, Union County, communications committee.

Shively graduated from high school as a homeschooled student. She lives on an organic farm that has been in her family for more than 100 years. As the next in line, she will continue to manage the care and maintenance of livestock, crops, land, structures, and machinery.

Her 4-H involvement is wide-ranging, including the Union County Teen Council, Union County Program Development Committee, Good Time 4-H Club and Buffalo Valley Sharpshooters. She participates in projects such as horticulture and hydroponics, cake decorating, leathercraft, ceramics, quilting, riflery, swine, and equine.

"As a kid, I was rather introverted and unsure of how to use the conversation skills I had," she said. "While I still have a soft spot for animals and nature, 4-H has allowed me to let conversation flow easily and made me much more comfortable in the public eye."

Shively plans to pursue custom saddlery, hoping one day to make tack and equipment from her own leather and sheepskin. She is the daughter of Brian and Barbara Shively, of Millmont.

— Samantha Hayman, Somerset County, events committee.

A first-year student at Mount Aloysius College, Hayman is a member of Milksquirts 4-H club and the Somerset County Council. Her projects include archery, square dancing, leadership, sewing, cooking and livestock. She pointed to time management as an important skill fostered by 4-H, as it helps her balance studies with rifle practices and matches in college.

"I have been in 4-H since I was nine years old, and being on the 4-H State Council has always been my biggest dream and goal," she said. "I see it as a way to give back to the organization that has shaped my life."

Hayman plans to pursue a bachelor's degree in nursing and eventually become a nurse anesthetist. She is the daughter of Jonathan and Holly Hayman, of Berlin.

— Helayna Hollobaugh, Elk County, events committee.

Hollobaugh is a senior at St. Mary's Area High School. Her 4-H involvement includes Stride for Stride 4-H Saddle Club, junior horse, primary performance horse, secondary performance horse, recreational riding, dairy cow and guinea pig. She noted that 4-H has improved her public speaking and communication skills.

"4-H has opened multiple doors of opportunities for me, such as traveling throughout Pennsylvania and a trip to Texas," she said. "I have expanded my network while making multiple friendships."

Hollobaugh plans to attend Penn State and major in animal science. She is the daughter of Charles and Brandy Hollobaugh, of Kersey.

— Caitlyn Shrodo, Lycoming County, events committee.

A senior at Jersey Shore High School, Shrodo participates in Nothin' but Dust and Lycoming County Council.

"4-H has taught me time management and balancing my 4-H activities with schoolwork and events," she said.

In the future, Shrodo plans to travel and attend college for accounting. She is the daughter of Bethany and Stephan Shrodo, of Avis.

— Kaylee Baker, Venango County, outreach committee.

A senior at Keystone High School, Baker has participated in a variety of 4-H projects, such as herbs, hiking, woodworking, dairy goat and theater.

"I had the privilege of being the Venango County 4-H Queen, which gave me the opportunity to attend 4-H National Congress and meet other kids from across the United States, while expanding my skillset," she said.

She added that 4-H has taught her excellent leadership and communication skills and shown her the importance of teamwork and dedication.

Baker plans to attend college and work toward becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist or doctor of anesthesia and work in a hospital setting. She is the daughter of Karen Baker, of Knox.

— John Bruner, Indiana County, outreach committee.

Bruner is a homeschooled senior. His interests span many 4-H project areas, including market hogs and lambs, market and breeding goats, performance horse, public speaking, sewing and textiles, fashion revue, food and nutrition, and embryology. A member of the Indiana County Youth Council, he also participates in shooting sports, including archery, shotgun, air pistol and rifle.

"4-H has taught me confidence, responsibility, a solid work ethic, and how to communicate effectively," he said. "These skills have helped me with networking and preparing me for the next step beyond high school."

Bruner plans to attend Penn State DuBois to pursue a degree in wildlife technology and become a game warden with the Pennsylvania Game Commission. He is the son of Clark and Connie Bruner, of Blairsville.

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 Pennsylvania 4-H website.