Miami Dolphins present scholarship to local teen

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - For most of her young life, the odds have been stacked against Miranda Stackhouse.  Her family has constantly been on the move.  In the last two years, they've moved five times.  Her mother has medical issues and her father lost his job last year.  So the Forest Hill junior moved to South Florida last year from the Chicago area.

"It wasn't the easiest situation living with a lot of people in one household," said Stackhouse.

Looking for some stability, she got involved with a summer work program through Urban Youth Impact, a faith-based outreach that works to equip and empower students.

Rev. Bill Hobbs speaks glowingly about Miranda.  "There's a focus with her, of knowing what she wanted to be. She made up her mind to a goal. When a young person has a goal, it's easier to say no to other things."

On Tuesday, Stackhouse received special recognition for her hard work. She was awarded a 5-thousand dollar scholarship from Sun Life Financial.  Jason Allen and Patrick Cobbs from the Miami Dolphins presented her with the check.  Jeanette Sparano, the wife of Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano, was one of the judges.

"it's a testament to her will and her drive and determination to make a good life for herself," said Sparano.

Stackhouse has big dreams.  She wants to be a motivational speaker and believes her own story can inspire others. "This may seem kind of corny, but I'd say something like pay it forward. Do nice things for other people, in turn they'll do nice things for other people and it generates a chain."

Another big winner was Urban Youth Impact.  The group was presented with a 50-thousand dollar check from Sun Life Financial.  The timing couldn't have been better.  Urban Youth just lost 50-thousand in funding from the county on September 1st.