Posted: April 23, 2025
As part of its annual 4-H Salute to Excellence Awards, Pennsylvania 4-H, administered by Penn State Extension, selected Paula Leonhardt as the 2025 recipient of the Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer Award, which recognizes 4-H volunteers who have served 10 or more years. Kelsey Ziegler, also from Venango County, received the Volunteer of the Year award, which recognizes 4-H volunteers with fewer than 10 years of service.
Ziegler (left) and Leonhardt (right)
Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer
A 4-H volunteer for nearly three decades, Leonhardt is known for her kindness, dedication, and positivity.
"She's caring and thoughtful toward her 4-H'ers, their families, and fellow leaders," said her nominator. "She welcomes people into the program and gets excited every time she sees a new family join."
Despite working full time and no longer living in Venango County, Leonhardt continues volunteering her time and energy to support 4-H.
She has worn many hats as a 4-H volunteer, including 24 years on the development committee, with more than a decade as president. She currently serves on several smaller committees and continues to be a driving force behind the 4-H benefit auction and the leadership banquet.
Her work on the auction includes planning menus, coordinating food donations, leading teens and volunteers in the kitchen, and securing auctioneers. For the leadership banquet, Leonhardt helps coordinate everything from food preparation to event promotion and decorating — efforts that have greatly increased attendance at the event.
"Paula always has something positive to say and can make the best out of any situation," her nominator said. "When something goes wrong, she laughs, shrugs it off, and finds a solution."
In addition to event planning, Leonhardt helps run the 4-H scholarship program. She organizes application and interview logistics, recruits community members to interview youth, and helps ensure more youth can afford to participate in 4-H activities.
Her creativity has led to unique fundraisers and community engagement efforts. She has helped bring in local businesses for events such as cupcake and cake decorating classes.
Parents of 4-H members describe Leonhardt as organized, efficient, sweet, and dependable. Her leadership has helped her club participate in nearly every opportunity 4-H has to offer, from window decorating contests to educational field trips to touring Penn State's barns and labs.
"Paula is a dedicated leader who wants to improve Venango County and make a difference in the lives of our youth, and she succeeds in that every day," her nominator wrote.
Volunteer of the Year
Involved in both club-level activities and countywide initiatives, Ziegler is known for going above and beyond to support the 4-H community.
"She puts more care and time into supporting and improving the community and 4-H than anyone could expect of her," said her nominator. "Kelsey genuinely loves Venango County 4-H and the kids she mentors."
Ziegler stays connected with 4-H members after they graduate from the program, offering references, professional connections, and encouragement.
"Even though she's busy, she's easy to reach and even easier to have a conversation with," her nominator added.
Ziegler has served as vice president of the 4-H development committee and helped organize events such as the leadership banquet.
As the former main leader of the Emlenton Echoes 4-H club, Ziegler planned meetings, managed finances, and assisted members with their projects for four years. Now, she is helping to launch a new afterschool program aimed at reaching students who may not otherwise be able to participate in 4-H. The initiative will include biweekly workshops based on a variety of project areas.
"Kelsey is very good at helping teach young people leadership skills," her nominator said. "She matches them to roles that suit their skills and interests and provides gentle advice and firm support."
Ziegler is particularly skilled at building confidence in youth who initially may struggle, her nominator noted. She has encouraged members to overcome stage fright, try public speaking competitions and apply for scholarships they thought were out of reach.
Her efforts also have contributed to making Venango County 4-H more youth-driven. Recognizing that the development committee had long been adult-only, she advocated for Teen Council involvement and helped build collaboration between the two groups.
For the past five years, Ziegler has worked with Teen Council, helping guide nearly 30 youth in organizing programs and outreach across the county. She helps the group strengthen community connections by coordinating events at local schools and promoting 4-H through hands-on activities.
"Anytime I need help or support, I know I can count on Kelsey," her nominator wrote.
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.
