Abbagael, now a rising sophomore at Patrick Henry College, is one of many patriots across the country who are taking a stand in local government and getting involved in their communities. Her early exposure to politics, her time in Patriot Academy, and her opportunities at PHC have shaped her into the woman she is today: a woman on fire for her country and for her Savior.
God, you’ve brought me here to this place. You’ve orchestrated my life, and I’ve seen that time and time again, Sullivan thought as she put the marker to paper.
Abbagael Sullivan approached a copy of the Declaration of Independence at a Patriot Academy conference in 2022. Many attendees before her had participated in the cherished ceremony of signing their names, pledging their “lives, fortunes, and sacred honor.” With tears in her eyes and a marker in hand, Abbagael couldn’t help but thank God for bringing her to that moment.
Abbagael’s parents, Jim and Patti Sullivan, have been involved in politics since Abbagael was a child. They became the state coordinators for Parental Rights Florida in 2012 after Michael Farris started Parental Rights in 2009.
“Parents have the fundamental right to determine what’s in the best interest of their own minor children in regard to their upbringing, well-being, and education,” Patti said. “If we don’t focus on the family, if we don’t bring health and healing, everything else is for naught.”
Patti and Jim had Abbagael after 17 years of waiting for a child. “She’s our miracle child,” Patti said. “If it wasn’t for God giving her to us as her parents, we never would’ve even been involved in the parental rights issue.”
Abbagael tagged along with her parents as they drove six hours from their hometown of Sebastian, Florida, to Tallahassee to argue for the Parents Bill of Rights. As she watched them stand up for parents across Florida, Abbagael knew that God was calling her into the political arena.
“God really showed me there are people who want to hear from the younger generation,” she said. “I wanted to make an impact, even though I was a young person.”
“We never forced her to be involved in the political process. She was just there with us as a family,” Patti said.
As the bill was being argued in the Florida
Abbagael also participated in multiple conferences like Patriot Academy, an organization that seeks to empower the next generation of political leaders. She now serves as the Speaker of the House for Patriot Academy’s Leadership Congress.
“I think it’s really amazing to see 16-25-year-olds come together, be mentored by older people, get leadership experience, public speaking experience, learn how to write a bill, and go through the process of defending that cause or issue,” she said.
Abbagael also interned for Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis. The opportunity arose out of the blue when she received an email about the need for an intern from an organization near the end of her senior year.
After consulting her parents, Abbagael replied that she was interested. Soon after, she received a reply from a friend who worked in DeSantis’ office. “We’ve been praying for someone like you,” her friend said. Abbagael accepted the internship.
Abbagael knows that God has a special mission for her life, and He is to praise for all the things He has accomplished through her. “God just showed me how much He had a plan in my life and was directing my steps,” she said. “I [know] that I [am] supposed to do something for America and for the glory of God.”
Abbagael advised other young people to get involved in politics. “Every single policy that is being made on the local and state and federal level is affecting you,” Abbagael said. “So why not do something about it?”
There are multiple resources that exist for those who wish to learn more about how the government works and how to get involved. Patriot Academy, TeenPact, and Generation Joshua are just a few examples. Now among the PHC community, Abbagael thrives in classes and previously served as a deputy Director of Events for the American Politics and Policy board. She now is the Vice President of the Pre-Law Society on campus. After graduation, she hopes to serve the entire country and its citizens like her parents before her, hopefully raising a family of her own. “I know God’s going to lead me through everything,” Abbagael said. “I’ve encountered many small moments of knowing that God is in charge of my journey and I’m just surrendering it to Him.”
This article was originally published in PHC's student-run publication, The Herald.
Patrick Henry College exists to glorify God by challenging the status quo in higher education, lifting high both faith and reason within a rigorous academic environment; thereby preserving for posterity the ideals behind the "noble experiment in ordered liberty" that is the foundation of America.