About Miranda

Reviewed on 6/17/2014

I was Miranda's English Honors teacher her sophomore year of high school. I know her as bright and exceptional and she pushes herself to be at the top. Two years ago, she was awarded the Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership award to represent her high school. This is a prestigious award given to one sophomore girl and one sophomore boy. Miranda exemplifies leadership and challenges herself to be more and experience more. Last summer, Miranda traveled with me and 16 other students to Uganda to volunteer, to learn, and to immerse ourselves in a new culture. Miranda embraced every day in Uganda with an adventurous attitude and open mind. She shared freely with new people who were curious about her life. I personally was awed with her ease of adaptability and balance. She comforted those who were home-sick and unsure, challenged others to see beyond what was in front of us, and encouraged the entire group to do more while we were there. And, her enthusiasm did not stop when we flew home. Miranda continues to rally for the other cultures and those less fortunate. Her enthusiasm is contagious! Academically, Miranda is extremely focused. She takes the highest classes offered in high school and is ranked in the top 5% of her class. I have also personally noticed several times when the going gets tough, with homework and various pressures at school, Miranda will not complain but instead manages the challenges in a rational way. She rarely over-reacts to a situation like many of her peers may to the social pressures of high school. I find her to be even-tempered, calm and reassuring to others around her. In the community, Miranda is involved in a wide variety of activities. From varsity track to Spirit Commander, from karate to antique photography, Miranda is not the type of young adult who lets moss grow under her feet. She is a community leader as well working with the homeless at the Good Samaritan Center as well as volunteering with the Family Literacy program at our local library. I am impressed with her diverse interest and successes. Her interest in changing the world and making a difference is representative of her interest in Youth Making Change and Random Acts of Kindness Clubs. I often refer to Miranda as a "spit-fire", a young woman who has really no limits to what she can accomplish.