Mark Holysz of Wheaton earned the 4-H Volunteer of the Year Award and is a 4-H Salute to Excellence Award winner. (Photo courtesy of University of Illinois Extension)

Illinois 4-H relies on more than 12,000 volunteers to reach nearly 200,000 youth in University of Illinois Extension 4-H youth development programs.

Two were recently selected as the state’s national 4-H Salute to Excellence Award winners.

DuPage County 4-H volunteer Mark Holysz of Wheaton earned the Volunteer of the Year Award, and Ogle County volunteer Stanley Eden was named Illinois’ Lifetime Volunteer Award recipient. Lifetime designation is reserved for volunteers with 10 or more years of service to 4-H.

DuPage County 4-H volunteer Mark Holysz of Wheaton earned the Volunteer of the Year Award, and Ogle County volunteer Stanley Eden was named Illinois’ Lifetime Volunteer Award recipient. Lifetime designation is reserved for volunteers with 10 or more years of service to 4-H.

The Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes people who have volunteered with 4-H for less than 10 years. Holysz represents a growing number of 4-H volunteers who, though they were never in 4-H themselves, share their passion about a specialized project area making them well-suited as leaders for 4-H clubs focused on a specific topic. In Holysz’ case, the topic is robotics.

In just three years, Holysz has led eight robotics 4-H clubs and taught more than 200 youth how to build and program robots. Holysz also has mentored teens in their robotics teaching roles.

“Holysz uses three key components to guide youth to achieving mastery,” said Patricia Luster, U of I Extension 4-H program coordinator in DuPage County. “First, he guides youth in setting goals and supports their achievement of the goals.

“He also ensures that each club member is given opportunities to practice and demonstrate their knowledge,” Luster said, “and then he actively engages the experienced youth in leading and teaching the less-experienced members.”

Holysz  was selected as winner for the North Central U.S. region, representing volunteers from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.  This level is presented to the volunteer in the region who exhibits exceptional commitment and contributions to 4-H and the community.

As the regional winner, Holysz received a customized plaque, a donation of $200 in his name for the DuPage County 4-H program and nationwide recognition from National 4-H Council. The Salute to Excellence Award is funded through a grant from Monsanto.

“Mark is the special type of volunteer who is a great leader and a great follower, and knows when to assume each role,” said U of I Extension 4-H Youth Development Educator Donna Nuger, who added that his work reaches youth in DuPage, Kane and Kendall Counties.

Eden, the Lifetime Award winner, was a U of I Extension crops educator for 55 years. An advocate for 4-H, Eden’s involvement ranges from weighing cattle and teaching livestock judging to mentoring youth in woodworking or rallying efforts to build a new 4-H fairgrounds.

4-H Youth Development programs include 4-H Clubs, Learning Enrichment, and other Youth Outreach activities.

–DuPage man one of 2 Illinois national Salute to Excellence winners —