Florida 4-H Hall of Fame

Phoebe Hodges Raulerson

More than 35 years of involvement shows how dedicated Phoebe Hodges Raulerson is to the 4-H program. She started her 4-H career earning many member awards and honors and continued her involvement during her college career as the president of the University of Florida’s Collegiate 4-H Club.  She serves as superintendent of schools in Okeechobee County and encourages and supports 4-H involvement throughout the county. Raulerson has 38 years of educational experience as an elementary school teacher  and administrator. She was named Florida’s distinguished Principal in 1990 and also served as the president of the Florida association of Secondary School Principals. The past four Commissioners of Education have appointed her to serve on statewide education task forces as well as the state’s Education Practices Commission. Most recently she was appointed to serve on the Commissioner’s Blue Ribbon Committee for education Governance. “I support 4-H because of its impact on my life as a teenage and the positive influence it has had on all four of my children and others I have known over many years. I credit the foundation of my leadership skills directly to the opportunities, modeling, and instruction in leadership and public speaking that I acquired as a young person in the 4-H program. The foundation of my understanding of finance was also acquired through 4-H project work and the accountability that requires. I want those experiences for as many of the young people in this county as possible, “ she said. Every 4-H program should have a Phoebe Raulerson. She has participated to the fullest extent possible in the 4-H program as a volunteer, and so have her husband and children. Her strong support and belief in the educational aspects of the program has allowed Okeechobee County youth to participate in 4-H events.