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Imagine, believe and achieve
Florida FFA president is role model for achievement
Ed Albanesi
Editor
If FFA were to pick a “poster girl” to personify its mission, there may not be a more
suitable choice than current Florida FFA President Sarah Burleson.
Those not familiar with the 21st century FFA might assume that Sarah’s path to her
leadership role began on the family farm. And for many other FFA leaders, that is
certainly true. But for Sarah it is not. You see, in Sarah’s case, there is no family farm.
So why would Sarah, who makes her home in Osteen, be a good candidate to personify
the FFA mission? The answer to that lies in the mission statement itself: “The FFA
Organization is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of students by
developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success
through agricultural education.”
FFA programs and activities help members develop public speaking skills, conduct and
participate in meetings, manage financial matters, strengthen problem-solving abilities
and assume civic responsibility.
Competitive events and awards programs in areas such as public speaking, commodity
marketing and agriscience recognize students’ achievements, encourage them to excel
beyond the classroom and develop career skills. Community service programs help
students contribute to society.
“When I first joined FFA in the sixth grade I couldn’t even get up and speak in front of
people,” recalled Sarah. “In March of this year I spoke in front of the Florida House
Agriculture Committee, the Senate Agriculture Committee and the House Environment
and Natural Resources Council. I explained to them how important their continued
support of agricultural education was.”
Sarah’s FFA career began in sixth grade at Deltona Middle School in Volusia County. By
the time she was in the eighth grade she was president of the Deltona Middle FFA
chapter. She was actively involved in competitions where she showed sheep, cattle and
swine.
“I wanted to learn as much as I could about agriculture,” Sarah said. “And I became
involved in as many activities as I could.”
With the support of her parents (Greg, employed by Masco Corporation, a manufacturer
of consumer products for home improvement; and Carol, employed as an office
manager for a temporary staffing company), Sarah continued her active involvement in
FFA.
In 11th grade she was elected president of the Deltona Senior FFA. Sarah also served
as FFA District 6 secretary during her junior and senior high school years. Then, during
the 78th Florida FFA convention held in Orlando last June, she reached the pinnacle of
state leadership by being elected president of Florida FFA.
“I ran against Michael Rogalsky who has turned out to be one of my best friends on this
year’s leadership team,” said Sarah. Rogalsky now serves as state FFA secretary.
Other members of the 2006-2007 FFA leadership team include vice presidents Karen
Vincent (Area I), Jaime Spivey (Area II), Joe Guevara (Area III), Lauren Lewis (Area
IV), Joshua Cribbs (Area V) and Ashley Young (Area VI).
One of this year’s highlights for Sarah and six members of her leadership team was a
13-day trip to Spain and Portugal in January for the International Leadership Seminar
for State Officers. The trip is open to state FFA officers from around the country and
affords them the opportunity to visit farms and agribusinesses, sightsee and get a
flavor for what life is like in the host countries.
The national contingent included 48 FFA members and chaperones from 14 states. Each
participant is responsible for paying his/her way and many, including Sarah, were able
to solicit sponsorships to fund the roughly $4,000 in costs. “My sponsors provided all
but $200 of the support I needed for the trip and my dad kicked in the balance,” Sarah
revealed.
“We toured a variety of operations, including those involving hydroponics, horticulture,
dairy, citrus and research,” said Sarah. “We visited Spain’s main olive oil cooperative in
Sarah Burleson, third from
left, is joined by her
Florida FFA state
leadership team. They are,
from left, Joshua Cribbs,
Michael Rogalsky,
Burleson, Ashley Young,
Joe Guevara, Lauren
Lewis, Jaime Spivey and
Karen Vincent.
Seven of Florida’s FFA
officers made it to Spain
for the International
Leadership Seminar. The
Mediterranean Sea makes
a nice backdrop for the
group.
Antequera. Its 27 mills are responsible for 3 percent of the world’s production of olive
oil.”
Another highlight for Sarah was the Florida FFA Goodwill Tour, conducted in late
February and early March. “Our leadership team had the opportunity to visit with
several of our organization’s sponsors and learn about their businesses,” said Sarah.
“Some of these sponsors included Sparr Building and Farm Supply, Fern Trust, Inc.,
Skinner Nurseries and Georgia Pacific.”
Although not a part of this year’s Goodwill Tour, Florida Farm Bureau is a Florida FFA
star sponsor and FloridAgriculture magazine is a bronze sponsor.
The day after this writer interviewed Sarah, she and three FFA advisors began the Stars
Over Florida tour to select winners from among four finalists in each of five separate
categories. The Stars Over Florida program honors students with outstanding
supervised agricultural experiences (SAEs). Categories include agribusiness,
agriscience, agricultural placement, farmer and greenhand (first-year member). The
winners will be announced at the state FFA convention scheduled for the Wyndham
Orlando Resort on June 11-15.
When Sarah ran for FFA president last year, she campaigned with a slogan that
challenged members to “Imagine, Believe and Achieve.” She said those are the actions
that have guided her throughout her life and her FFA career.
“I believe that you can find success if you believe in yourself,” Sarah stated. And a
quick review of her resume demonstrates the methods she preaches can indeed bring
success.
From an early accomplishment as a member of the winning team in the state FFA
Opening and Closing Ceremony competition in 2000, to being selected as a member of
Who’s Who Among High School Students in 2003, to winning the Dekalb Agricultural
Accomplishment Award in 2006, Sarah has demonstrated an acumen for success.
She graduated from Deltona High in 2006 and has spent most of her available time
during the past year involved with FFA activities. In a few months, she will be a fulltime student at the University of Florida, majoring in agricultural education. She hasn’t
yet made a decision on whether she’ll pursue a national FFA office in 2008.
“When I graduate I want to be an ag teacher and an FFA advisor” Sarah stated matterof-factly. “I’m not sure if I will do that my entire life, but that’s where I want to start.”
And this writer believes that Sarah’s future students and FFA members will indeed
comprise a very lucky group.
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FFA Hall of Fame planned
Gary Bartley, executive director of the FFA Foundation, told FloridAgriculture that a
Florida FFA Hall of Fame is in the works. He said:
“I am glad to report of the establishment of the Florida FFA Hall of Fame. This program
will recognize individuals who have rendered outstanding service to agricultural
education and FFA in Florida. Plans call for the inaugural event to be held in October at
the Florida Leadership Training Center.”
Check future issues of FloridAgriculture for more news on this exciting development.
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