UNF Student Government senator and student athlete Serenity Miller recently visited the White House, where she met President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump during the signing of the “Fostering the Future for American Children and Families” executive order.
Miller, a former foster youth herself, has leveraged her experiences within the foster care system and her work with non-profits such as Florida Youth SHINE and Think Of Us, to excel academically and athletically.
“That’s something that’s really provided me with a way to be successful…that’s part of the reason I got to D.C,” said Miller.
Life of a Collegiate Athlete
Miller, a junior on a pre-law track, was adopted out of the foster care system at the age of 3 and grew up in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. After 12 years, she and her family then moved to Houston, Texas, where she competed in high school cross country and track & field.
Miller credits her experience in the foster care system for fueling her drive in academics and athletics.
“I’ve grown because of the situation I came from in foster care to be more academic centered…Athletics has just been such a huge part of my life,” said Miller.
She is currently a member of the UNF women’s track team, balancing her studies with the demands of track and field hurdles.
“Being on a collegiate track team, the expectations are a lot higher and it provides a lot more structure than the everyday college student has when it comes to waking up, working out, what you can post…It’s high expectations,” said Miller.
Despite the high demands of a collegiate athlete on a pre-law track, Miller actively sought more opportunities. She was recently appointed as a SG senator during an SG Senate meeting on Oct. 24.
Miller expressed that she hopes her experience as a UNF SG senator will prepare her for her professional career after graduation.
“I’m going to go to law school…its just smarter to go to public policy or clerk for judges since they look for connections as well as legal expertise. I might possibly, before law school, I might go into public policy,” said Miller.
White House Signing
On top of student and athlete demands, Miller also works alongside foster youth non-profits, Florida Youth SHINE and Think Of Us. She credits these organizations for giving her the opportunity to visit Washington, D.C., during the signing of the “Fostering the Future for American Children and Families” executive order.
Miller is currently a legislative chair and volunteer with Florida Youth SHINE, which provides advocacy and support for teens who grew up in foster care. According to Miller, given her position and experience as legislative chair, Think of Us chose her to be present for the signing of the executive order.
According to Miller, the invitation came quickly.
“I got told three days before,” said Miller about her trip to the nation’s capital. The surprise continued right up to the event itself when she was informed just how close she would be to President Trump during the signing of the executive order.
“And again, two hours before [the signing] I get a call, ‘You’re going to be standing behind the president,’” said Miller.
The executive order is a part of the first lady’s Fostering the Future initiative, a branch of her Be Best campaign. The order aims to foster new partnerships between private organizations, academic institutions, faith-based organizations, and nonprofits to generate opportunities for foster youth, according to the White House website.
Miller explained that she was enthusiastic about the experience but surprised by the White House initiative.
“I was really happy and kind of anxious to see what was going to be in this executive order,” said Miller. “I just hope that it has a positive impact and it gives foster youth the support they need.”
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