2025 Outstanding 4-H Members, Alum, and Volunteer Recipients
Congratulations to our 2024 Outstanding 4-H Members, Alum, and Volunteer Recipients
Outstanding 4-H Members who receive this honor must have completed their junior year in high school and be currently active in the Somerset County 4-H Program. Candidates demonstrate leadership, participation, community service, personal growth, and contribution to the program.
Outstanding 4-H Alum who receive this honor are former members who stay connected in a meaningful way to the program as mentors, leaders, and volunteers.
Outstanding 4-H Volunteers who receive this honor give their valuable time and skills to the 4-H program at workshops, programs, and events.
Outstanding 4-H Members:
Angie Basilone
Angie Basilone has been a very involved member of both the Alpaca club and the Woof dog club, with a variety of leadership roles and community service activities. But being an involved member is not what makes her outstanding. Angie came to 4-H in the fall of 2019 which we all know was a hard time to come into an established group, but Angie showed a commitment to this program you don’t see every day. She navigated a virtual world with a group of kids she barely knew, learned all she could and was involved in every single activity. Once 4-H was back in person, Angie found her place easily among the animals and members.
When tasked with caring for a rescue alpaca named Yeti, Angie became the model of a patient and caring handler that all the other kids could admire and learn from. Angie would teach Yeti a new obstacle and spent over 30 minutes patiently waiting for him to understand what she was asking. She never pushed or rushed her animal, but gave him the space and encouragement to learn. Along with this Angie is also one of the Ag Ambassadors, promoting agriculture and 4-H through their actions and projects. Angie has been an incredible example of a 4-H member who steps out of their comfort zone, navigates a challenging world, and finds a way to take every chance to do more with what is being offered.
Aditi Dhara
Aditi has grown in 4-H from when she was a young cloverbud member in the Clover Ensemble through her current role as a youth representative to the 4-H Association (where she always provides her updates with great enthusiasm). Aditi has been a part of the Clover Ensemble for 12 years, where in addition to acting in the productions, she has also directed 3 shows, written 2, and was the club president for 3 years. She is currently a teen leader for the club and helps more generally rather than taking one specific role. Outside of her time in Clover Ensemble, Aditi is an active member with Senior Council and is the current co-president.
Aditi is the class of 2026 youth representative to the 4-H Association. In regard to her role on the Association, Aditi said: “Being able to be a part of the 4-H Association has shown me what an important aspect 4-H has been in my life, without me even realizing it. For example, every carnival, fair, meeting, or camp I’ve done through 4-H has impacted how I see the world, and how I want to make it better.” Aditi has been a TOPS Camp counselor for the past 3 years and has helped with the Spring Carnival, Trunk or Treat, and many other activities.
Last year, Aditi was presented with the 4-H Clover Head Award which is awarded to one 4-H member who has shown exceptional leadership, critical thinking, communication skills and problem solving. In describing what 4-H has meant to her Aditi said “4-H has shown me what it means to be an upstanding member of my community, in theatre and in life. Even if I did not know it, 4-H has changed me in all the ways that I live my life, and I will be able to keep that with me forever.”
Jack Hurlbut
Jack Hurlbut has been in 4-H for 9 years, where he has been a member of the Cat Club, Wags and Whiskers dog club, Woof dog club, and Senior Council. While in 4-H, Jack has participated in many volunteer events and in various forms of community outreach. Jack has been a TOPS camp counselor, assisted in both Science-sational and Agventure Day, and has helped with 4-H Association fundraising events. During Jack's interview he talked a lot about inclusion and helping others, mentioning that when we share our knowledge to help others, we make the whole team more successful. In Jack's own words “an outstanding 4-H member positively impacts others and the community around them”. For these reasons and more, congratulations to Jack on being a 2025 outstanding 4-H member.
Julie Imwalle
Julie Imwalle has been in 4-H for 7 years, where she has been a member of the Woolly Ones Sheep club, the Branchburg Beef Dairy and Livestock club, and Senior Council. Through 4-H, Julie has found many opportunities, specifically developmental and educational traveling opportunities such as National 4-H Conference, IGNITE, and S.H.A.R.K. This year Julie has been serving as one of the 4-H Agricultural Ambassadors. Julie has also won the Dale Artfitch sportsmanship award.
In addition to how much more Julie has than these accomplishments, Julie is always the first to figure out how to make a plan work for everyone that she is working with. Julie is not afraid of hard work and is always willing to help another member even when it's not a member of her club. Julie strives to create an environment where everyone feels welcome and where everyone has the same opportunities. Julie is an amazing mentor to all of the younger members in her clubs, and consistently helps others strive to better themselves. For these reasons and many more we'd like to congratulate Julie on being a 2025 outstanding 4-H member.
Jaxon Piegari
Sometimes a 4-H member comes to this organization knowing exactly what it is they want to do. Sometimes they wander around a bit, trying different things, until they find their niche. Jaxon is one such member. But once Jaxon found his place in the Magic Club things took off. It is here that Jaxson has gone from a shy introvert to club president, role model, and mentor.
An 11 year 4-H member, with 8 years in the magic club, Jaxon has performed his act at open house, carnival, Fair, and other events around the county and state. Jaxon has also helped out with wreaths, Science-sational Day, and been a Herdsman at the Fair.
Though his years in 4-H, Jaxon has become a seasoned performer and magician. He has brought these skills out into the world around him – school, work, wherever… but one of the highlights of his magic career has been a community service project performing for the audience at Gigi’s Playhouse; a facility for individuals with downs syndrome and their families.
A stellar mentor, Jaxon spends a lot of time working with new and younger members of his club in order to assist them with learning, following directions, patience, and of course the confidence required to get up and do what they do. He spoke humbly about this in his interview, as if it’s no big deal – but it is Jaxon – more than you may ever know.
In the words of his leader Conrad Colon: “… I have met few young people who live with the calm confidence, empathy, and authenticity that Jaxon does. Being his club leader is one of the greatest honors in all my time as a 4-H volunteer. His future is bright, and his pathway to success is guided by the skill he has developed [through 4-H]”. We are pleased to present the award of Outstanding 4-H member to Jaxson Piegari.
Samantha Wiley
Samantha Wiley is a face that is probably familiar to you if you’ve been around Somerset County 4-H. Some might call her a legacy, a fourth generation 4-H member - But Sam has soared.
Between Prep and Standard 4-H, Sam has been a member of New Center Dairy for 10 years, and has also been part of 4-H Exchange and Sr. Council
On the county level she has become one of the youths that the Association counts on taking part in Wreath Sales, Yearbook Ad Sales, Carnival, Tricky Tray, Open House, and the Rummage Sale. At the county program level, she has done County Presentations every year, been both a counselor and presenter for Ag-venture Days, and she has been an overnight Herdsman. She also serves as an Ag-Ambassador.
On the State and National level Sam has been part of the State Dairy Quiz Bowl, State Dairy Clip Off, the State Dairy Show, the National 4-H Dairy Conference, National 4-H Congress, and IGNITE – where she was part of the grant winning team for Ag-Ambassadors.
It would take far too long to list her accomplishments within her club, where she is believed to have held every office possible, led community service projects, been part of the Dairy Tent Design Team, and perhaps, most importantly, has been a mentor to those coming up behind her.
In Sam’s own words, “4-H has helped me see that success isn’t just about winning ribbons or awards, it's about learning, growing, and lifting others up along the way. The lessons I’ve learned here will stay with me long after the projects are done…. 4-H is opportunity, friendship, and growth. It inspires me to dream bigger and work harder.”
Sam has grown into a capable, smart, compassionate young woman with a bright future ahead of her. It is our pleasure to present Samantha Wiley as an Outstanding 4-H member for 2025.
Zachariah Zappulla-Roemer
Zachariah is a member of Hippity, Hoppity, Happy Handlers small animal club and Wattles and Snood. During his time in his small animal club, he has held several offices and headed special committees within the club. It was while holding these positions Zachariah saw how he was slowly becoming one of the ones who would welcome new members, and guide them along the way he was guided back when he first joined 4-H. Zachariah especially noticed this once COVID restrictions were lifted, and came back to share some of what he learned during some teen virtual sessions.
He sees the value of getting the clover out to the community and looks for ways for his club to volunteer - not only in 4-H events - but events in the community. Zachariah truly enjoys seeing the joy in the eyes of the younger participants, as well as fellow club members when they talk about their project. It is Zachariah's hope that he has left a positive mark within his project areas for others to strive towards. Congratulations Zachariah!
Outstanding 4-H Alumni:
Erica and Matt Puskas
Erica and Matt Puskas are proud 4-H alumni whose lives and careers are deeply rooted in agriculture. Erica was raised in Perry County, Pennsylvania, on her family's dairy farm, Provida Dairy, while Matt grew up on his family's dairy operation, Middlebush Farms, in Somerset County, New Jersey. Both developed their passion for agriculture and community engagement through active involvement in their local 4-H dairy clubs—Erica with the Kistler's Clover Club and Matt with the New Centre Dairy 4-H Club.
Their shared interest in dairy farming led them to Delaware Valley College, where they both earned degrees in Dairy Science. Today, they are fourth-generation dairy farmers, working together at Middlebush Farm in Franklin Township, where they are now raising the fifth generation in the values and traditions of dairy farming.
Middlebush Farm is especially notable as the last remaining dairy farm in Somerset County. Erica and Matt are deeply committed to agricultural education and youth development. For many years, they have leased dairy animals to members of the New Centre Dairy 4-H Club, helping youth gain hands-on experience in animal care and showing. Erica also serves as one of the club’s dedicated dairy leaders, mentoring young members and instilling in them the values of hard work, responsibility, and a love for agriculture.
Beyond the farm, Erica and Matt are active advocates for the dairy industry. They participate in numerous outreach and educational initiatives and regularly take youth and cattle to 4-H shows at the county, state, regional, and national levels. They also serve as a host farm for 4-H Ag-Venture day(s) advocating and educating youth on the importance of dairy farming . As coaches for Somerset County’s 4-H Dairy Judging team, and as judges at 4-H events throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania, they generously share their time and expertise.
Erica and Matt are passionate about youth development and firmly believe that supporting the next generation is vital to the future of farming and rural communities. Their leadership, dedication, and enduring support of 4-H make them truly deserving of the title Outstanding 4-H Alumni 2025.
Outstanding 4-H Volunteers:
Dale Artfitch
Dale’s journey with 4-H began with a simple visit to the Somerset County 4-H Fair, invited by his then-girlfriend Jo Ann, a proud member of the 4-H Twirling Club. That visit sparked a lifelong connection—not only to Jo Ann, now his wife, but also to the 4-H community that would become a cornerstone of their family life.
As their family grew, Dale and Jo Ann made it a tradition to attend the Fair with their children. Their son, Dale Jr., developed a passion for go-karting and joined the 4-H Go Kart Club. Dale’s involvement deepened as he stepped up to become a club leader, supporting his son and the club’s mission. When their son Sean, expressed interest in joining but was still a year too young, Dale remained a leader to ensure a smooth transition. Once Sean joined, the family’s 4-H journey continued until he aged out—but Dale never left.
Now celebrating 21 years as a 4-H Go Kart Club leader, Dale’s commitment has only grown. He also serves as a 4-H Fair Manager and acts as the vital liaison between 4-H, the State Police, and the parks department, ensuring the Go Kart Track is safely and efficiently set up and operated during the Fair.
Dale is the quiet force behind the scenes—steadily, humbly, and tirelessly working to ensure that every youth member has the same enriching and memorable experiences that his own family enjoyed. His dedication exemplifies the spirit of 4-H, and we are proud to recognize his outstanding service and unwavering support as a 2025 Somerset County 4-H Outstanding Volunteer.
Mike Kestlinger
Mike’s 4-H journey began as a helping hand to his future wife, Patty, in running her club—but it quickly became much more. Embracing the 4-H philosophy wholeheartedly, Mike has become a passionate advocate for the program’s power to shape young lives beyond the classroom.
Mike believes that 4-H opens doors to experiences and skills that many youth might never encounter otherwise. As he puts it, “How would a kid ever know they enjoy sewing? It isn’t taught in school anymore; and if their parents don’t know how to do it, the kid never will.” Through clubs like sewing, cooking, animal handling, and gaming, Mike sees how 4-H teaches more than just hobbies—it fosters math, science, problem-solving, and creative thinking in ways that are both fun and meaningful.
Beyond his work with the sewing club, Mike shines as the charismatic emcee of the 4-H Fashion Revue, bringing energy and enthusiasm to the event. His dedication extends far beyond club activities—he has taken on numerous fundraising initiatives for the Somerset County 4-H Association and plays a key role at the 4-H Fair. Whether he’s supporting the club booth or leading the charge at the beloved milkshake booth alongside Patty, Mike is always ready to lend a hand.
Mike’s unwavering commitment and belief in the transformative power of 4-H make him a true role model. We are proud to recognize him as the 2025 Somerset County 4-H Outstanding Volunteer—a title well-earned by a man who helps make 4-H a place where all youth can thrive.