The Student of the Year Award impacts lives. See what being honored has meant to former honorees:

Looking back at my year as the Florida College Student of the Year, I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge how my life truly changed as a result of this award. As soon as I heard that words, “The 2002 winner is...Jose “Pepi” Diaz from the University of Miami,” everything became different. I understood that I was no longer representing myself, but I had become an advocate for my family, for my fraternity, for my city, and for my university.

While I was still in Tallahassee, the local CBS news team interviewed me and sent the live video to their affiliate station in Miami. Within minutes of arriving home, I had dozens of phone messages from my friends that had seen me on the news broadcast.  It was amazing to see how proud my friends and family were. As we drove home from the airport, we decided to pass by my grandmother’s house to tell her about the event. I had no idea that my family had planned a huge surprise party for me. My grandmother came running to the car with tears down her face and inside I was met by a crown of well wishers with colorful party hats and loud party favors. This was just the beginning of what turned out to be a roller-coaster of emotions—a year to remember.

Within three days of having been named “Florida College Student of the Year,” I was interviewed by The Miami Herald, The Miami Hurricane newspaper, NBC, and CBS in Miami. I received calls of congratulations from so many people who read about my accomplishment, including the president of the University of Miami, Dr. Donna Shalala, and local politicians. In fact, I was asked to appear on the TV show “Chat” on Telemundo that is seen nationwide as well as in most of Latin America and abroad. As a member of a national fraternity, I was asked to go on the show and defend my decision to become Greek. Most Latin Americans have a negative opinion about the Greek System because of silly movies like Animal House and Revenge of the Nerds. Obviously, my perspective was quite different and I felt honored that I could use this prestigious award as a forum to dispel the frat boy image. Millions of young Hispanics around the globe were able to hear that fraternities are doing good things, and that to me is monumental.

Not only was I well received by the media, but I began receiving congratulations from the community as well. In fact, I was presented a Proclamation by the City of Miami. Our mayor, Manny Diaz, presented me with the “Proclamation of Excellence” and invited me to lunch as well. Furthermore, the County Commissioners of Miami-Dade County also recognized my achievements with their own county proclamation because of the fact that I was the first Hispanic and the first University of Miami student to receive the award. I was humbled to say the least. The University of Miami Alumni Association also honored me by presenting me with the “Student of Distinction Award,” an award that had only been presented to one other student in our history.

I received a lot of recognition because of the “Florida College Student of the Year Award,” but the most important impact that the award had was the profound influence that my recognition had on my relationships. When the “Student of the Year” issue Florida Leader was published, I was on the cover and was profiled inside—and at the end of the article was my e-mail address. I had no idea that so many people would try to reach me. I was e-mailed by hundreds of people whom I had never met. Some people wanted to find out how they could apply next year and others wanted advice, but the majority of students just wanted to congratulate me. One e-mail in particular was from a young lady who was thinking about attending the University of Miami. She feared that if she accepted at UM, she would be limited because she might never have the opportunity to go to a great law school. She had read my biography and was impressed by the amount of support that I had received from my university. She said that the day she read the article in Florida Leader she sent in her deposit to the University of Miami because she knew it was the place for her. All of a sudden, the award seemed to transcend me-- it had encompassed everything that I believed in.

The emails kept pouring in. It was incredible to see how many people just wanted to see how I was able to manage my co-curricular and academic responsibilities. The fact that Florida Leader is distributed throughout the state meant that my story was read by hundreds of people that ordinarily not have heard of me or anything that I’m associated with. In particular, one of my sister’s friends had a brother who read my article. Apparently, he had never really believed that someone could do good things and have fun at the same time. The profile had inspired him to change the way he lived his life and that impacted me as well because I felt as though I needed to stay on track to continue to help others.

When I arrived to New York City last fall to begin my new life as a law student at the Columbia School of Law, I thought things would change. Yet, during the first few weeks of being here I was congratulated by one of my professors for my award. I had no idea where he could have heard about it. It turns out that Columbia published news about my award in their bi-annual publication that goes out to alumni, faculty, and staff. I was the only student who had been recognized by the whole law school in the entire publication. Soon enough most of my professors and peers were beginning to congratulate me. It was so unexpected! Plus, the emails kept coming. Indeed, I was asked several times to attend speaking engagements where I could help others. I was asked to speak by elementary schools, by high schools, and by local organizations. Though I was not able to attend every function, I was able to go to many of the events and was able to speak about the importance of a college education to the youth of the state of Florida.

All in all, the “Florida College Student of the Year Award” was one of the best experiences of my life. I never sought to be recognized for my service—it was something I did because I enjoyed being involved. I never wanted to have my face on the cover of a magazine, as it’s not the way I do things. Yet, our fate is not in our hands, and I was blessed to have been honored by Florida Leader. As a result of that tribute, I was able to speak to many young people about the crucial role of higher education in our state, about the ability of one person to help others, and about the importance of moral decision making. If in the end, one person was touched, then I know I made a difference. I cannot ask for anything else.
Jose "Pepi" Diaz
University of Miami
2002 Florida College Student of the Year

"The honor of being recognized as Florida College Student of the Year was indeed a privilege for me. First, being recognized from a field of so many deserving applicants—and from among the many deserving individuals who didn't apply—was gratifying and truly humbling. The honor challenged me to continue my efforts on behalf of equity, opportunity, and social justice. Others have been encouraged and inspired by these efforts, and that has been the most gratifying aspect of being recognized as college student of the year."
Brian Dassler
University of Florida
2001 Florida College Student of the Year

"I just wanted to write and say thank you to you and your staff for a wonderful time again this year. The leadership retreat was AWESOME, and the awards ceremony was very nice. You and your staff did an excellent job in making the 20 of us honorees feel special and appreciated."
Amanda Howey
Eckerd College
2003 finalist

“I was/am truly honored to be among the group of students that was chosen this year.  They literally knocked my socks off!  I consider all of us very lucky to have such outstanding leaders on our campuses here in Florida. For that I will always be grateful -- it's a blessing to know that these students set avenues for other students to follow and inspire many to do just that. As for my application package, that was a very difficult thing for me to put together. I, like many of the others, am not active on campus for recognition, so needless to say I didn't keep track of the things I've done or been involved in. When it came to putting those things down on paper, it proved to be a most difficult task. :o)

I just desire to make the appropriate changes necessary so that EVERY student has an equal opportunity to participate in and enhance their educational experiences, inside and outside of the classroom. Plus as young adults, I believe it's necessary for them to take an active role in decisions that will affect the rest of their lives! And when I witness students doing just that, it's a reward for me in ways that can never be put down on paper. Was it Mark Twain that said something about not letting your schooling interfere with your education? Great words to live by.

“I received many awards throughout my last few weeks of this last semester, with this award being the icing on the cake-- yet it's still difficult for me to accept the recognition as I truly believe it's the students around me that deserve the round of applause.  I love being someone else's cheerleader, and to my amazement, they never fail to give me something to cheer about. :o)

“Thank you VERY MUCH for the experience in Tallahassee.  It will be a moment I'll always cherish. Just getting to meet the other 19 candidates was worth every minute of it. These students will go on to be our national and world leaders and they will make a difference in the world around them.”
Tammy Sue Hohimer
University of West Florida
2003 honorable mention

"I just wanted to thank you one more time for an exciting and memorable experience."
Steven Cohen
University of Florida
2003 honorable mention

"Please accept my most heartfelt thanks for the meaningful, expertly run, and inspiring College Student of the Year tour-de-force of which I am honored to have been a part these last few days. Being among such impressive student leaders who live
balanced lives on their campuses and take time to give back to their communities was in itself inspiring, and a true impetus for me to continue to lead and serve my own community. The reception in the Capitol Building was truly grand and for that I thank you all, but I know that it was the previous day's leadership retreat that will benefit me for years to come. I intend to bring back to Miami many of the ideas on leadership that I learned there, as well as keeping in touch with my fellow honorees."
Jason Guercio
University of Miami
2003 honorable mention

"The experience was amazing. I can't begin to expound upon how grateful I am for being chosen to sit among such excellent students. I can't begin to explain how grateful I am for your magazine (website). Reading the articles from current as well as many past issues helped me, someone who was completely green to the practice of leadership, to figure out how to be a student leader. The retreat was amazing. The ceremony was amazing. My fellow peers were undoubtedly amazing. The staff of Florida Leader Magazine was magnificent! And I can't forget to mention that the prizes were fairly amazing too.

Your magazine truly provides a vehicle for students to become inspired, to realize their potential, to even realize their potential knows no bounds—I was stunned by some of the accomplishments of others, and that I might be placed among them.

What can I say.

When I was in high school.
After I dropped out.
As I worked in retail.
When I received my GED.
While I renewed my faith in education at BCC.
Through my endeavors as a new student leader.
And finally as a reluctant applicant to be a Florida "soty".

I never would have imagined that I could be classed among the top 20 students in the state. It still boggles my mind. that a "lowly community college student" could be among the top 20, (and that 4 were finalists and that chrissie won!) out of hundreds of thousands.

I've come to reach a new philosophy in the last year. It is my belief that every student, not college, determines the worth and value of their education (and to me, we as human beings are all students, throughout our lives. Let's think metaphor J). Perhaps we don't all attend 40k/year universities, or universities endowed to the point that nothing is beyond reach, but through our involvement and our desire to make a difference—no matter which institution we attend—the value of our education can not be appraised. The experiences that we've garnered and will in the future, the people that we've met and will meet, the lessons that we've all chosen to learn - they're priceless.

Thank you allowing me this wonderful experience, for causing me to connect with all of these astonishing people (you're each definitely included), and for inspiring me to be the best person I can be.

Digital camera at office depot: $250
Payment to satisfy credit card companies: $1000
The whole mishmash of Florida College Student of the Year Award stuff that I experienced: priceless
Bruce Haupt, Jr.
Brevard Community College
2003 honorable mention

"This has been an overwhelming experience, something I never thought I would be part of. Your team was excellent not only in the production of the retreat and show, but more importantly very personal to all of us. They were really kind, helpful, and so gracious. Thanks again for everything."
Cat Tobin
Florida Southern College
2003 honorable mention

"To echo the words from fellow SOTY honorees, it was an immense pleasure and honor to have met you all. I felt as though I was reuniting with old friends...somehow it felt very comfortable being around everybody...as though we were old friends.

Thank you to everyone who assisted in the preparation for the events and for making us feel so loved and appreciated. Thank you for a memorable time..."
Yasmine Taeb
University of Florida
2003 honorable mention

"Being honored in your magazine's 'Florida College Student of the Year Award" changed my life! Now I'm graduating. It's all too much. Thank you so much for everything."
Tyler Merritt
University of West Florida
2001 honorable mention