Curiosity and parental motivation fuels Robinson Secondary senior Jamie Miranda's activities in the Latin American Student Association, summer internships, and minority causes that landed her recognition from the Board of Supervisors.
In her second year as president of the association, she plans speakers, events and social aspects at the association which is open to all students at Robinson. As a sophomore, she was vice president of the association, and then president as a junior and senior.
"We're not strictly limited to Hispanic culture. I like getting involved with different people," she said.
At 16, Jamie's starting her senior year. "I know I'm growing up fast, but it's to my advantage," Jamie said.
She was among 24 students recognized at the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting, Monday, Sept. 9, which was civic appreciation week.
September is Hispanic Heritage Month and Jamie was selected as the Latin American Student Association representative. She attended with Robinson teacher Sarah Lopez and fellow association members Bryan Trejo, Danny Trejo and Claudia Ventura.
"It's a recognition of Hispanic Americans in Fairfax County. Robinson High School was the only high school there to receive it," she said.
Her parents, Sergio and Roxana were at the ceremony as well.
Jamie knows she has the support from home.
"They still want me to do my best," she said.
As president, she's had experience motivating the group and arranging activities. She doesn't think people know what's behind the Hispanic nights and international festivals her association has put on in the past. For the past two summers she's attended programs at nearby universities. Last summer a similar program was at Radford University she attended.
"People just see an event and think it's so easy but it's hard, there's a lot of planning behind it," she said.
ONE EVENT that left an impression on Jamie and fueled her desire to motivate the association occurred when she was a sophomore at a ill-planned event. No one showed up at a culture awareness night which showed her the importance of early planning, event promotion and group motivation. Standing in an empty cafeteria drove the lessons home.
"It hurt me, I know now that we have to start early," she said.
She took that experience to her job as the president, and appreciates seeing fellow students get motivated.
"The people participating are really helping out, their dedication makes it worthwhile," she said.
Fellow Robinson student Janice Wieboldt noted the way the different cultures at Robinson are urged to be independent.
"People just have pride in who they are," she said.
Wieboldt remembered one time when studying an international event, people in that class elaborated on the subject.
"People are really educated on where they're from and they taught us how it was," she said.
Jamie's experience in cultural affairs at Robinson may pave the way to a job in international affairs but at 16 and a senior in high school, there is still time. She wants to help her native country of Bolivia in some way.
"I'm looking to go to UVA (University of Virginia) and study international affairs," she said.
Her brother just left for Marine Corps boot camp at Parris Island and she looks forward to getting his letters every Tuesday. His descriptions are not as sugar coated as the boot camp documentaries she sees on the Discovery channel.
"That's not for me," she said, but for her brother "it was a good choice."
At her home in Burke Centre, Jamie does have time for herself though.
"I love being with my friends, my friends let me be me and away from the stress," she said.