Polk Youths Soraya Lopidas and Danielle Tamayo Honored for Dedication & Commitment
by SHAYLYNN MARKS
Two students from Central Florida are proving that passion, perseverance, and a willingness to try something new can plant the seeds of lasting success.
Soraya Lopidas, a senior at Davenport High School, was named Polk County’s Career & Technical Education Student of the Year in Agriculture, while Danielle Tamayo, an eighth-grader at Southwest Middle School, earned the title of CTE Student of the Year With Unique Abilities in Agriculture.
Their journeys are as different as they are inspiring, but both began with a simple “yes” to a new experience in agriculture education.
Discovering a Future Through FFA
For Soraya, it all started in the school cafeteria.
“I had lunch with Aubrey Beatty, who was active in FFA, and she would always talk about how fun it was and the livestock she worked with,” she recalls. “At first, I didn’t think that club was for me, but when I got to choose my courses for senior year, I decided to give it a try.”
That leap of faith led to a year full of leadership roles and new opportunities. From participating in Career and Leadership Development Events to organizing her chapter’s Thanksgiving meeting, Soraya quickly found her place in FFA.
“Those competitions really helped me build character,” she said. “I’ve learned life skills I’ll take with me into college and beyond.”
Davenport FFA advisor Trace Foreman calls Soraya’s transformation “absolutely astonishing.”
“Despite being a first-year FFA member, she’s competed in multiple events, increased chapter participation, and helped other members succeed,” he said. “She has completely blown me away and made teaching ag such a pleasure.”
Soraya’s interest in ag is strong, though she didn’t grow up around farming. She credits her advisor for helping her feel welcome. “Sometimes the ag industry can feel closed off to people who didn’t grow up in it. I’m so grateful he took a chance on me.”
Now planning to attend Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Georgia, Soraya hopes to become a first-generation farmer.
“Only 2% of Americans are farmers, and many of them are older,” she says. “I want to help grow that number and make sure agriculture continues to thrive.”
Her advice for others is simple: “It’s never too late to join. You don’t need experience to make an impact.”
Earning Recognition Through Dedication
For Southwest Middle’s Danielle Tamayo, the journey began with a bunny named Dusty.
“We really just wanted to open her world to something new,” says her mother, Rebecca. “She wasn’t sure at first, but after she showed her bunny, Dusty, at the youth fair, she came back and said, ‘I want to do this again next year.’”
Danielle joined the agriculture program at Southwest Middle School and quickly found joy in working with both animals and plants.
“We planted a little garden in front of the school,” she says, “and I learned a lot.”
She helped care for a young tree outside the building, making sure it was watered and healthy. At home, she dreams of having a birdbath and garden of her own one day, where she hopes to grow vegetables and continue learning.
Danielle also values the friendships she’s made through school.
“One of my friends is named Lily,” she says. “We hang out during PE, and I told her about my bunny. She’s seen a picture of me with him, and we talk about ag sometimes. She treats me nice with her words and her actions.”
Southwest Middle FFA advisor Katrina Lynn says Danielle has embraced every element of agriculture education: classroom instruction, FFA participation, and her supervised agriculture experience.
“Most students don’t use all three components. Danielle does — and does it well,” Lynn said.
But it’s Danielle’s kindness and willingness to serve that truly stand out. During the Thanksgiving season, Danielle and her family delivered up to 100 meals for Volunteers In Service to the Elderly — far more than the usual 10. “She had a smile plastered on her face all day,” Lynn says.
Danielle also volunteered at the Polk County Youth Fair concession stand, helping during the busiest hours. “The other students loved working with her,” Lynn says. “She is kind, polite, and really fun to be around.”
In addition to academics, Danielle mastered career readiness skills such as time management, logging into platforms, and working independently.
“She has the same expectations, same projects, and same tests as the rest of the class,” Lynn says. “She’s never once backed down.”
Looking ahead to high school, Danielle hopes to keep training Dusty and exploring even more opportunities in agriculture. Her message to others is one of quiet strength: “No matter how hard it gets, just keep trying. You don’t have to be perfect.”
Cultivating the Next Generation of Ag Leaders
While Soraya plans for college and Danielle prepares for high school, both have already proven they belong in the world of agriculture; and they’re helping make it more inclusive with every step.
Their stories are a testament to the power of CTE programs in shaping young leaders, one greenhouse, classroom, and youth fair at a time.