FORT PIERCE – Mayor Linda Hudson and the City Commission here welcomed a few of Fort Pierce Central High School’s student government association members to City Hall May 4 with a proclamation designing the first full week of May as Student Leadership Week in the city.

City Clerk Linda Cox read the official proclamation into the record that day.

“Schools sponsor student leadership activities in order to provide students vital experience in exercising a voice in matters of common concern, reconciling diverse interests and selecting leaders,” she said. “Student leaders are a positive influence on their peers, modeling good character and scholarship in and out of the classroom and serving as change agents to improve the overall climate and academic performance levels of their schools. Student leaders require trained, dedicated faculty advisers to help them develop the essential traits and characteristics of a leader and to provide the positive experiences necessary to expand their skills and foster their paths to becoming effective leaders.”

Cox emphasized that National Student Leadership Week provided “the perfect opportunity” to create awareness of the important contributions made by student leaders through their activities in the nation’s schools. Mayor Hudson and the SGA members from FPCHS made their way down to the podium for a photograph as the city clerk wrapped up the proclamation.

“Now therefore, I, Linda Hudson, mayor of the City of Fort Pierce, do hereby proclaim May 5-9, 2026 as Student Leadership Week in the city and encourage all citizens, city officials and employees to participate in events that recognize and celebrate our municipal government,” Cox concluded.

Mayor Hudson then turned the floor over to FPCHS Social Studies Teacher Luca Bradley.

“Thank you for having us tonight,” he said. “One of the most valuable lessons that students in student government learn is setting out to do the right thing and not looking for a thank you or recognition. This is one of the few recognition we have as we come to the end of the year, so thank you for doing this for us. The crew in student government learn logistical work, planning, budgeting, running events – and most importantly – they go through their interview and application process to become a part of a student government or remain in student government as we come to the end of the year.”

Bradley called the moment “bittersweet” due to the seniors about to graduate.

“I’d like to have the president say a few words,” he concluded in reference to Fort Pierce Central’s SGA President Isabela Ramos Cordero. “It’s going to be sad to see her go, but we have people she’s led and others who are behind to pick up where we’re leaving off this year.”

Ramos Cordero then addressed the crowd in the City Hall Chambers that evening.

“On behalf of Fort Pierce Central High School Student Government Association, I want to sincerely thank the City of Fort Pierce for recognizing us today,” she said. “This year has been a year of growth, new ideas and new opportunities for student government. As an organization, we take pride in strengthening school spirit while making sure students feel represented and heard. Every project we take on is rooted in the same goal [of] strengthening the connection between our students, our school and our community.”

Ramos Cordero proceeded to describe the success of the Wellness Series of events, the newest SGA initiative on her campus.

“Our themes included environmental awareness, stress and balance and talents demonstrated through school spirit, but the purpose went beyond the theme itself,” she explained. “Each month gave us a way to start conversations about what students needed, whether it was taking care of the space around us, managing pressures or finding healthier ways to handle the demands of school education. Through the wellness series, we were able to build a campus environment where students feel encouraged, supported and valued.”

The Fort Pierce Central’s SGA president was most proud of the campus focus groups created under that initiative with the approval of administrators.

“We reviewed over 3,000 student survey responses,” Ramos Cordero said. “From those responses, we selected a group of students who represented different experiences and perspectives across campus. We listened to their feedback, discussed what students felt was working and identified areas where they believed our school could continue to grow. Then, we presented those student perspectives to the entire faculty and staff with potential solutions. This gave students a real voice in school improvement and allowed teachers and administrators to hear directly from the people their decisions impact every day.”

After the applause in the Chambers died down, Commissioner Arnold Gaines had a few words to say.

“Thank you guys – I’m proud of you,” he said. “I’m going to age myself because we called it student council when we were at Fort Pierce Central. Congratulations on your achievements salutatorian, and I hope you go and do great things and come back to Fort Pierce. To the others, I’m here [and] would love an invitation to come watch you guys: I might learn something.”

“Yeah, thank you very much for being here,” Mayor Hudson echoed as the Chambers erupted into applause a final time.

The Proclamation

WHEREAS, schools sponsor student leadership activities in order to provide students with vital experience in exercising a voice in matters of common concern, reconciling diverse interests, and selecting leaders; and

WHEREAS, student leaders are a positive influence on their peers, modeling good character and scholarship in and out of the classroom, and serve as change agents to improve the overall climate and academic performance levels of their schools; and

WHEREAS, student leaders do not automatically develop sound leadership skills and require trained, dedicated faculty advisers to help them develop the essential traits and characteristics of a leader and to provide the positive experiences necessary to expand their skills and foster their paths to becoming effective leaders; and

WHEREAS, the support of school administrators and faculty, parents, and community members is necessary to help ensure the successful education of all emerging student leaders; and

WHEREAS, National Student Leadership Week serves as an ideal time to bring attention to the important and integral contributions that student leaders and all student activities make in our nation’s schools.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Linda Hudson, Mayor of the City of Fort Pierce, Florida, do hereby proclaim May 5-9, 2026 as:

Student Leadership Week

in the City of Fort Pierce and encourage all citizens, city officials, and employees to participate in events that recognize and celebrate our municipal government.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have

hereunto set my hand and caused the Official Seal of the City of Fort Pierce, Florida, to be affixed this 4th day of May 2026.

MAYOR/COMMISSIONER

Linda Hudson