Three Polk County CTE Student of the Year Runners-up Show How Hands-on Learning Turns into Leadership
by SHAYLYNN MARKS
While the honor of Career and Technical Education Student of the Year goes to one student, nomination forms for the runners-up reveal the impressive work of even more students building skills for life after graduation.
Polk County CTE in Action
Among this year’s nominees are three runners-up whose stories span campuses and career pathways. From agriculture leadership and FFA service to early program responsibility and clinical veterinary experience, the details of their nominations describe students applying classroom learning in competitions, community events, and supervised work experiences.
Savannah Bradway: Agriculture Roots, Educator in the Making
Savannah Bradway began taking agriculture CTE classes during her sophomore year at Lakeland High School after transferring from Harrison School for the Arts.
Within months, Savannah applied for an open officer role in the Lakeland FFA chapter and was appointed chaplain in August 2023. She later ran for and was elected vice president, and she is currently serving as chapter president.
The nomination submitted by Lakeland High School ag teacher Valerie Clark says Savannah has participated in “nearly every FFA contest offered,” including membership on the Dairy Judging, Livestock Judging, Horse Judging, Meat Judging, and Forestry teams. The Lakeland High School Dairy Judging team qualified for the state contest during Savannah’s junior year and, once again, earned a state spot for a contest scheduled in February.
Savannah also gained hands-on experience through animal projects, including showing a heifer as a junior and showing a steer this year.
Clark outlined a steady climb through veterinary and agriculture coursework. Savannah enrolled in Veterinary Science 1 and 2 during her junior year, and as a senior is enrolled in Agritechnology 2 and Veterinary Science 3. She earned three certifications during her junior year and plans to pursue two additional credentials this year: the AEST Animal Specialist certification through Agritechnology and the Certified Veterinary Assistant certification through veterinary assisting.
Savannah’s long-term goal is to teach agriculture. She attended the University of Florida AgEd Institute for future agriculture teachers and has been accepted to Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College for its Agriculture Educator program beginning Fall 2026.
Jade Lykins: First to Volunteer, Last to Leave
At Fort Meade Middle-Senior High School, sophomore Jade Lykins is described in her nomination as a student who brings steady drive to the school’s agriculture program.
The nomination, submitted by Fort Meade Middle-Senior High School ag teacher Ashley Wheeler, describes how Jade balances multiple commitments, including Honor Society, HOSA, and FFA, where she also serves as an FFA officer. Wheeler adds that Jade does not let her officer title determine what she is responsible for.
“Jade is the first person to sign up to compete in CDEs and LDEs and most importantly the first person to sign up for community involvement projects,” Wheeler writes.
Wheeler described Jade as “a selfless member” of the agriculture department who is quickly becoming a positive role model and leader. Jade plans to take the Agritechnology Specialist certification this school year and begin agriculture dual enrollment courses next year.
She was tasked to be part of the “Ag Fresh from Fort Meade” event at the Fort Meade Historical Society festival.
“In true Jade fashion, she showed up early and was the last student to leave,” Wheeler writes.
Wheeler adds that Jade helped set up and tear down the booth, managed it throughout the day and used the time to network with community members while sharing what Fort Meade’s agriculture program and FFA chapter has done and will be doing in the future.
Jazlyn Duque: Clinical Hours and Clear Career Goal
George Jenkins High School Senior Jazlyn Duque’s nomination describes a highly focused student using CTE as a direct bridge from high school to a specific career.
George Jenkins High ag teacher Rebecca Stubbs writes that Jazlyn, a member of the school’s Academy of Veterinary Sciences, is driven by a love for animal science, advocacy for the agricultural industry, and a desire to better serve her community. Stubbs also writes that Jazlyn has been part of the program over the last four years on campus.
Stubbs details a year of accomplishments that combine academics, animal projects, and clinical training. Jazlyn’s successes, Stubbs explains, reflects her work ethic and commitment to agricultural sciences.
Jazlyn raised two market animals for the Polk County Youth Fair, maintained high marks in her academic courses and completed the required 250 hours of clinical experience with partnering veterinary clinics.
That work led to a job offer. Jazlyn was recently hired as an employee at the MyPets clinic after completing her clinical experience.
Stubbs also described Jazlyn’s supervised agricultural experiences, often called SAEs, as a core part of her growth. The nomination lists multiple SAEs, including Market Hogs (ownership/entrepreneurship), Market Goat (ownership/entrepreneurship), and a Vet Clinic Placement SAE.
In addition, Stubbs writes that Jazlyn completed leadership opportunities both locally through the school and abroad, and participated in several career development events, including Vegetable Judging.
Jazlyn’s volunteerism is closely tied to her clinical training. The hours she completed as a CVA intern work hand in hand with learning clinical skills necessary for clinical work.
Young Leaders Training for Tomorrow
For Polk County, these nominations reflect more than individual achievement. They point to young leaders who are already taking responsibility. These students are practicing leadership in real time, strengthening their programs and setting an example for the peers following in their footsteps.