Miranda Moreta-Carrasco is described by others as a self-driven, passionate ray of sunshine, but her senior year at Riverview High School came with a hurricane of complications after getting a concussion during a track meet. However, even with her injury she was awarded the prestigious honor of becoming the Education Foundation of Sarasota County’s first Future-Ready Scholar of the Year.
Reflecting on her high school years, she remains extremely proud of achieving an international baccalaureate (IB) bilingual diploma. This accreditation is awarded to those that have completed additional testing and tasks in addition to all IB requirements which include academics, activity, service, and creativity hours.
Moreta-Carrasco shared that getting her creativity hours were the hardest, but she found a way, by playing the keyboard at the Selby Library. Using the library keyboard is just one example of how she pushed to find a way forward, an attitude she credits directly to her mother.
“My mom always says to do the best in everything you do,” said Miranda.
This resiliency is even more evident when considering her upbringing. While working on her college essay with a mentor, she realized the challenges of her youth. Most notably that she had dealt with housing insecurity, moving more than 26 times before she turned 14.
Moreta-Carrasco said it was “wild”, acknowledging what she had gone through. She felt like her home was always secure because she had her family, friends and church community. However, when she wanted to figure out how to get into college, she had no one. Knowing she needed help, she found herself at an Education Foundation workshop for SAT/ACT prep.
“I was so scared walking into the office, but I knew I needed help. I had no one else to ask about the tests because I’m a first generation college student. I’m also not one of those people who can just go take a test without knowing what is on it,” shared Moreta-Carrasco, “As soon as I walked in, I realized they were really nice people and just wanted to help. It was such an easy place to be.The team was willing to answer my questions even if it was by text.”
She continued her journey with the Education Foundation’s Summer Bridge Program, which was where she first heard about the new Future-Ready Scholars program. She says it was a “no-brainer” to join because she knew that every time she went to an event or workshop she’d learn or gain something new that would help her.
She remained an active member of the Future-Ready Scholars program even during her concussion recovery her senior year. “I didn’t like slowing down, I wasn’t allowed to read, watch TV or anything.” As painful as that experience was, it was because of her involvement with the Education Foundation that she knew she needed to ask for help once again. After reaching out to services on campus and within the Education Foundation, she was able to get the support she needed, making her truly unstoppable. “I think this process taught me it’s okay to slow down and take care of myself. I can still achieve what I want if I ask for help.”
Advice for Students
For other students navigating their own paths, her advice is simple, “Chill, you’re fine… If you’ve already reached the Education Foundation and you’re doing whatever you can to find out what your next step is, you’re exactly where you need to be.”
What does it mean to be the first Future-Ready Scholar?
Considering the significance of being named the first Future-Ready Scholar of the Year and her experience with the Education Foundation of Sarasota County, Moreta-Carrasco shared candidly, “I think that if it wasn’t for the Education Foundation, I wouldn’t be following the path that I want to be on.” That “path” has led her to her dream school, Florida State University, where she is working towards a degree in political science and international relations while also minoring in linguistics. She also shared that the scholarship will allow her to really become a part of the FSU community and she can take better care of herself post-concussion knowing she doesn’t have to get a job to cover expenses. She also believes that she wouldn’t have achieved her big state college dreams without the help of the Education Foundation’s services. She now gets to “become what she wants, not what she has to be.”
About the Future-Ready Scholars Program
The Education Foundation’s Future-Ready Scholars Program is a tuition-free initiative designed to help local high school students confidently navigate their pathways after graduation. Through personalized one-on-one coaching, hands-on SAT/ACT and FAFSA workshops, and exclusive scholarship opportunities, the program provides teens, especially first-generation college students and those facing financial barriers, with the real-world guidance needed to succeed. Whether a student’s post-graduation dream involves a four-year university, technical training, military service, or entering the local workforce, Future-Ready Scholars ensures every participant has a personalized roadmap and a dedicated mentor to help them turn those ambitions into reality.