FDF kicks off High School Sports Awards program

Florida Dairy Farmers recently had the pleasure of recognizing two of the state’s top student-athletes through the High School Sports Awards program.

Webster dairy farmer Trisha Heijkoop presented Winter Springs High School’s Payton Caffrey with the 2015 Miss Volleyball award. The Class 8A Player of the Year, Caffrey finished the season with 576 kills, 216 digs and 47 blocks while leading Winter Springs to its first state championship with a 30-2 record.

Over in Brooksville, Hillsborough County dairy farmer Jeff Busciglio presented DeShawn Smith of Nature Coast Technical High School with the 2015 Mr. Football award. As the Class 5A Player of the Year, Smith rushed for a state-leading 3,715 yards while averaging 286 rushing yards per game. He scored a state-record 66 touchdowns (60 rushing, five receiving, one fumble return), shattering the mark of 55 set by 2015 Heisman Trophy winner and 2012 Florida Mr. Football Derrick Henry.

Both Heijkoop and Busciglio capped their respective award presentations by leading a ceremonial milk toast as the honorees gathered with their teammates and coaches to celebrate their outstanding accomplishments.  

In its 24^th year, the Florida Dairy Farmers High School Sports Awards program exemplifies Florida Dairy Farmers' commitment to the state's youth, honoring the state's top athletes and coaches in all 30 FHSAA sanctioned and recognized sports. The program also emphasizes to young people the importance of keeping dairy foods a primary part of their diet