Finalist
Sarah Hard
St. Leo University
Senior in Social Work
3.73 GPA
     Sarah Hard, a Florida College Student of the Year honorable mention winner in 2000, is the Pied Piper when it comes to leadership. "She’s respectful of all people and many are more than willing to join her in her endeavors because of her genuiness as a person," says Dr. Cindy Lee, associate professor in St. Leo’s department of social work. "She has to be the most energetic person," says Ana Di’ Donato, coordinator for student affairs. "Her laugh puts a smile on people’s faces, and students relate to her extremely well."
     So what’s the secret of Hard’s success? "I like to laugh a lot, and I surround myself with people who are funny and entertaining," Hard says. She believes it’s important to remain enthusiastic and keep a positive attitude about activities and events. "People will see it as something fun and want to get involved."
     As St. Leo’s Student Government Union president, Hard, 23, works to make sure SGU members and officers enjoy serving students. "I get out there and promote SGU as something fun," she says. Hard hopes people want to come to Senate meetings not because they have to, but because it’s something they look forward to doing.
     One of her primary goals this year was to shift SGU’s focus from programming to issues that really concern students on a day-to-day basis such as academics and residence life. "If you don’t meet students’ basic needs, they won’t enjoy their experiences as much as they could, " she says. "We want to change SGU from being looked at as an activities board," Hard says. "Activities provide a positive outlet, but I don’t think it should be the only aspect of SGU. I think more can be accomplished." She’s worked with other members to update and revise the constitution and to develop a vice president for activities position. Next year, this officer will oversee a separate programming committee, leaving the other members of the executive board free to pursue other projects and issues, Hard says. "Figuring out who’s going to run what activity takes away from student issues," she says. "Students’ concerns weren’t being addressed, and I don’t think they were satisfied. I hope this year is better."
     "In my 25 years of higher education experience, she would rate as one of the finest SGU presidents," says Edward Dadez, vice president for student affairs.
     Hard also devotes a great deal of time to community-service projects. She helped organize St Leo’s first "Up ‘Til Dawn" event in April to benefit the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This 24-hour fund-raiser featured local bands, a "Clash of the Classes" field day, a pool party, and patient’s luncheon. There also was a three-on-three basketball tournament where middle and high-school students battled for the opportunity to play St. Leo’s basketball team. Hard served as president of the executive board for the project and coordinated activities of various volunteers, dealt with conflicts, and assigned the committee chairs their tasks. "She does so many different things, but she does them all well," Di’Donato says. Hard will travel to Memphis in June to visit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and witness firsthand the program she worked to support.
     Hard’s passion for social work began in high school. She worked at the YMCA youth shelter in Sarasota, a residential facility for runaways and physically abused children. She also accompanied kids ages 10 to 17 on hiking and rock-climbing trips in North Carolina as part of the "Adventure-Based Challenge Program." "Kids who acted like bullies had tears streaming out of their eyes as soon as they started climbing that mountain," she says.
     Hard continues to give back to the community as the secretary of the Social Work Club, a service organization on campus. "We run canned-food drives, fix up Thanksgiving and Easter baskets, and adopt needy families," Hard says. She also volunteers at a facility for mentally and emotionally handicapped people as part of her involvement in "Best Buddies International" program. Her interest in this program stems from her relationship with her older brother who has Down Syndrome. "I wanted that contact—it has given me a better sense of life and put things into perspective," Hard says. She spends several hours a week with the residents just talking or engaging in recreational activities such as coloring.
     Hard recently served on St. Leo’s Southern Association of Colleges and Schools University Accreditation Committee and she helped establish the women’s cross country team. Hard also educates students about the social work field as a member of the National Association of Social Workers, and she still finds time for her sisters at Alpha Sigma sorority. "You can learn a lot in class from textbooks, but in ways you’re limited," Hard says. "If you don’t go out and socialize with other people and try stuff, you’re missing out."
     Hard attributes many of her leadership qualities to her parents. "My dad has taught me how to have a backbone and be strong. He never said ‘I want you to do this.’ He sits in the back and pushes silently," she says. "My mom has taught me to love what I’m doing." One of Hard’s few regrets is that her busy schedule often prevents her from visiting home. "Sometimes, I lose a sense of the value of time and how important it is," she says. "As a result, I don’t spend as much time with family and friends as I should. If I had to change anything about myself, that would be it."
     Hard’s impact on the St. Leo campus in undeniable. "I believe and feel she’s one of the top students in Florida as well as the rest of the country," Dadez says. "The time and effort Sarah has invested into the inner workings of St. Leo has improved the quality of campus life."
     "If she’s having an event, kids will get involved because she’s involved," says Nancy Pond, retired director of student activities. "She’s the kind of kid you wish you could clone."
     Hard’s involvement in student activities will carry over into her future career choices as well. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in college student affairs. "I never expected that, but the people I work with in student affairs at St. Leo brought it out of me," she says. Hard hopes to work in the area of residence life. "My social work background will come into play when working one-on-one with the students."
     "I get a lot of satisfaction knowing that I can help other people and make a difference. I’ve learned a lot about myself and others by doing it," she says.
     Hard subsidizes her education through scholarships and her SGU stipend.
Contact Hard at sarah.hard@saintleo.edu.