MIDDLETOWN – Cornell Cooperative Orange County’s own DeAnna Sardella-Matthews was one of the award winners at the 42nd Annual Orange County Youth Bureau presentation of the County Executive’s Youth and Adult Awards. DeAnna was one of the four winners of the “Asset Builder-Outstanding Youth Worker” award.
As a 4-H educator for the past 8 years and volunteer for many years before that, DeAnna embraces the Positive Youth Development model and excels at encouraging young people to take leadership in their learning and involvement in their community. She engages each young person individually and is very good at recognizing their strengths and helping them grow. She has worked in the 4-H Teen Leadership program and currently is helping teens develop a Youth Council where they are planning and implementing programs for their peers. She also engages and chaperones youth in leadership and career development programs such as “Career Ex” at Cornell University where youth can learn about career paths and experience college life. 4-H Alumni often return to volunteer in 4-H due to the positive experience they had in DeAnna’s programs.
Both in 4-H for over a decade and before that with the Boy Scouts, DeAnna has been instrumental in organizing community service activities for youth to be involved in. Community service activities are directed by youth interest and have served children in need, animals, seniors, and veterans to name a few. Among her colleagues, DeAnna always keeps youth experience and empowerment at the core of program development. She serves on numerous regional and statewide committees to develop programs and maximize resources for young people. DeAnna has introduced many new opportunities to youth in 4-H Programing.
In her role as 4-H Educator for 8 years, DeAnna has worked with hundreds of young people. Her programs are designed to scaffold learning experiences so that youth learn foundations upon which they can grow their learning. Experiential learning opportunities allow youth to learn by doing and further reflection of the experience helps youth to apply what they learned to other areas of their life. Youth continue to flourish with DeAnna’s steady encouragement, gentle challenges, and raising awareness of new opportunities and programs that youth can get involved in.
Cornell Cooperative Extension and its partnerships provide programs for Orange County residents on youth and family development; nutrition, health, and food safety; community and economic vitality; and agricultural sustainability through Cornell based research. Committed to Orange County, we design programs to meet local needs to enable people to improve their lives and communities. For more information call Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County at 845-344-1234 or visit our website at www.cceorangecounty.org.
Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities.
