PELLA — Central College senior Jaime Miranda's (Aberdeen, Wash.) remarkable story of overcoming a troubled childhood that sometimes left he and his siblings homeless has planted him squarely in the media spotlight. (see story/video links below)
A pair of nationally televised profiles were produced by Emmy Award-winning newsman Harry Smith, a 1973 Central grad. An "Inspiring America" segment on the NBC Nightly News appeared Jan. 31. A more extensive feature aired on NBC's Sunday Today with Willie Geist Feb. 19.
Jan. 30 a lengthy profile by Mike Kilen was featured on the front page of the Des Moines Register. That followed a 4-minute, 55-second feature on the KCCI-TV (Des Moines) newscast by sports anchor/reporter Scott Reister.
And Feb. 18, Miranda and coach Eric Van Kley appeared live on "Takedown Wrestling Radio" with Scott Casber from Hy-Vee Hall, adjacent to Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines during the Iowa State High School Wrestling tournament.
Miranda was originally featured on the Central athletics website Dec. 22.
It's a story Miranda was earlier somewhat reluctant to share. But his meeting with then-U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King, Jr. last summer altered his outlook. He was in Washington, D.C. as a recipient of a National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY) scholarship. Miranda was told that he was providing a voice to thousands of homeless youth nationwide. That's helped Miranda embrace media attention.
"In Jaime's mind, this isn't about him," coach Eric Van Kley said. "What they told him in Washington, D.C. really hit home to him. He realizes he's been given a platform and he feels an obligation to speak on behalf of others and help end the cycle of homelessness and poverty.
"But Jaime is handling this incredibly well. He wants to give back but that hasn't affected his more-immediate focus on earning a Central degree and being a leader on our wrestling team so that it can achieve the high goals we've set."
Miranda admitted the attention can get a big overwhelming.
"It's a humbling experience but God has given it to me so that I can be able to share my story," Miranda said.
The profiles, for the most part, get the story right, he said.
"The one frustrating thing is they make me look like I did it all on my own," he said. "I wish they'd give more attention to my brother and sister. I didn't go through all that on my own. They went through it as well and, honestly, I think they handled it better than I did. But overall, I've enjoyed it."
The publicity is also generating some local speaking opportunities. He's presented to a Pella service group and Wednesday morning spoke to elementary school students in Des Moines as part of the school's social advocacy week.
"It was fun to get to talk to kids," Miranda said.
Van Kley said the students were intensely interested.
"Jaime did a really nice job," Van Kley said. "He talked about it's not where you're from, it's where you're going that matters and that you need to surround yourself with the right people.
"When we asked if they had any questions, about 50 hands shot up in the air. It was pretty cool."
Miranda serves as a co-captain of the No. 22-ranked Dutch. Central (8-2) returns to action Thursday at 6 p.m. with an Iowa Conference dual against Luther College at P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium.
