Student Disruptions & Demonstrations
3/24/2026 Public Comment on Sarasota County School Board Proposal: Rule Number 5.301 – “Student Disruptions and Demonstrations” Good morning. My name is Andrea Buscemi, and I’m a parent with children in Sarasota County public schools and a military veteran. I’m here to oppose the proposed policy (agenda item 5.301) restricting “political activity” and “demonstrations” at…
Reflections from Big Cypress
March 15, 2026 Each Sunday from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m., Sarasota United for Responsibility and Equity (SURE) holds a prayer vigil at Payne Park in Sarasota — a companion vigil to one held simultaneously at the Big Cypress detention facility in the Everglades by the Miccosukee Tribe. This article captures my personal reflection from an…
International Women’s Day
March 8, 2026 Each Sunday from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m., Sarasota United for Responsibility and Equity (SURE) holds a prayer vigil at Payne Park in Sarasota — a companion vigil to one held simultaneously at the Big Cypress detention facility in the Everglades by the Miccosukee Tribe. The following is a transcript of the personal…
Forging a Legacy of Valor
February 22, 2026 Each Sunday from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m., Sarasota United for Responsibility and Equity (SURE) holds a prayer vigil at Payne Park in Sarasota — a companion vigil to one held simultaneously at the Big Cypress detention facility in the Everglades by the Miccosukee Tribe. The following is a transcript of my dharma…
Black Sapote Brownies
February 15, 2026 When life hands you black sapote… bake brownies! Black sapote (Diospyros nigra) is a species of persimmon traditionally enjoyed by Indigenous communities in Mexico and Central America. Later introduced to Florida by Spanish explorers, it is harvested locally during the winter months, with peak season from December through March. Often called the…
Affirming Full Cooperation & Coordination with ICE
January 20, 2026 Public Comment on Sarasota County School Board Agenda Item 11.1: Affirming Full Cooperation & Coordination with ICE. As many of you already know, I’m a US Air Force veteran and mother to two kids in Sarasota County public schools. I am attending the Sarasota County School Board meeting today to speak on…
Compassion, Mercy & Love: Lessons from Guanyin on Creating a More Peaceful World
January 4, 2026 Below is a transcript of my Dharma talk at Ordinary Zen Sangha, a Zen meditation practice center located on Fruitville Road in Sarasota, Florida. Good morning. This morning, I want to share some reflections on compassion, mercy, and love—and how these qualities have shaped the way I respond to suffering, both my…
Andrea N. Buscemi 