Javier Moreno moved to Pennsylvania from his hometown in Culebra, Puerto Rico as a senior in high school because he said he "wanted to learn English, go to school in the U.S. and run for office in the FFA."

In less than three years, he has achieved those three goals and more.

Moreno, 20, made history recently, becoming the first Penn State student to be named president of the National FFA Organization. He is currently touring the United States giving speeches and hosting workshops at the organization's various state chapters.

In addition, upon being named president last November, Moreno (sophomore-agriculture and extension education) became the first Puerto Rican president of the 76-year-old organization, which changed its name from Future Farmers of America in 1988.

The FFA is a national student organization with more than 7,000 chapters, which exist in every state as well as Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The organization works to promote agricultural education and leadership and to prepare its members for careers in agriculture.

Months later, Moreno sounds as if he is still in awe when he talks about hearing his name announced as the 2003-2004 president in front of more than 50,000 people at the National FFA Convention in Louisville, Ky.

"Wow -- words can't describe how amazing and thrilling it felt," he said.

Moreno said his goal as FFA president is to bring more diversity of "life and experience" to the organization. He said he also wants to increase people's awareness about the FFA and agriculture in general.

"Many people don't know about the FFA or have never even heard of it," he said. "It's not just about farming. It's about agriculture as a science, technology and business."

As president, Moreno serves as a voice for FFA members and works with the five other national officers -- a secretary and four regional vice presidents -- to make FFA decisions on a national level.

The six officers take turns leading national conventions, the first of which will be April 15 in California, where Moreno will give the keynote address "about giving back to the community and living a selfless life," he said.

Moreno might have to give his speech on crutches because he broke both of his legs in a car accident in January.

"I'm still on crutches, and it's still painful, but I'm planning on returning to my duties full-time by April 7, with or without the crutches," he said emphatically.

Because he must travel around the country until his presidency ends in November, Moreno is taking a two-semester leave of absence from school.

During his three semesters at Penn State, Moreno was involved in the College of Agricultural Sciences Ag Advocates, Earth House and Alliance Christian Fellowship, he said.

Moreno's friend, Elio Chiarelli (junior-agriculture and extension education), served as a 2001-2002 national FFA vice president, and he said he mentored Moreno through the process of running for office.

"What stands out most about [Moreno's] character is his dedication to service leadership," Chiarelli said. "To be a successful national officer, you must have a willingness to grow and provide service to others. Javier has those things, without a doubt. And more than anything else, he is very humble."

Moreno said his academic adviser and former professor Tracy Hoover also acted as a mentor to him while he ran for office. Hoover, an agriculture professor, said she was happy to help Moreno because she knew he would make a good student leader.

"He's a very positive, supportive, encouraging and competent leader," she said. "If he was working with you on something, his faith that you would succeed would be evident. He really helps people bring out the best in themselves."