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Adriana Drusini thought that August 20, 2018, was just another Monday. Shortly after beginning her work for the day, Drusini, an LSU AgCenter 4-H extension agent in St. Mary Parish, was surprised with flowers, a plaque and cake to honor her as the 2018 Louisiana 4-H Agent of the Year.
Drusini began her 4-H career after her husband, Guillermo Scaglia, accepted a position as a cattle researcher at the LSU AgCenter Iberia Research Center 11 years ago. As the St. Mary Parish 4-H agent, Drusini works with 32 clubs and reaches more than 1,000 students every month.
“Adriana is more than deserving of the recognition. I’m proud of Adriana and her work with both youth and adult volunteers. She serves as a role model for others in the area of volunteer development. She makes an extra effort to know her volunteers and to provide them with meaningful roles,” said Lanette Hebert, 4-H regional coordinator for the Southwest Region.
4-H volunteer leader Kathy Landry nominated Drusini for this prestigious honor. Recently, Landry reflected on Drusini’s contributions to the Louisiana 4-H program.
Why did you think Adriana Drusini should be named the Volunteer Leader Association’s 4-H Agent of the Year?
When describing Adriana’s character, three words come to mind: patience, compassion and acceptance. Adriana always makes time to answer questions, be a good listener or to lend a helping hand. Whether you are visiting her office or contacting her through email, you never feel rushed or like you aren’t important. I always feel like my questions are answered and my concerns addressed.
How does Drusini support volunteerism in her parish?
Adriana works with both adult and youth volunteers. Through the parish Junior Leadership program, she provides many youth volunteer and leadership opportunities. At the parish level, youth are afforded volunteer opportunities from marsh grass planting to planning and conducting after-school workshops. Through her efforts and encouragement, St. Mary Parish 4-H members have roles beyond the parish at regional and state levels, such as participating in the Southern Region Teen Leadership Conference, the National 4-H Healthy Living Summit and the Native American conference.
In working with adult volunteers, Adriana provides clear communication and is always supportive as volunteers implement 4-H program efforts. From written communication to face-to-face visits, Adriana is always encouraging and works alongside adult volunteers to provide a valuable experience for youth. Like teen volunteers, adult volunteers are afforded numerous opportunities at parish, regional and state levels. She is quick to promote and recognize volunteers and their efforts. Through her work with volunteers, several have won state awards and have been inducted into the Louisiana 4-H Hall of Fame.
This article appears in the Louisiana 4-H 2019 Annual Report.
Adriana Drusini teaches a 4-H member how to measure ingredients properly.