2013 USEF Youth Sportsman of the Year Miranda Prints (Bill Smith Photography)
Lexington, Ky. – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce Miranda Prints as the winner of the 2013 USEF Youth Sportsman’s Award. Seventeen-year-old Prints was selected from an outstanding group of youth representing their respective recognized breed and discipline affiliates from across the country. An avid vaulter from Orangevale, Calif., she was nominated by the American Vaulting Association (AVA).
Prints has been vaulting for 12 years and has won Reserve National Champion, Region II Champion, and Region II High Point Champion and Reserve Champion titles. In 2008, she passed her Bronze Medal test with commendations and in 2010 passed her Silver Medal test with high commendations. She volunteers as an assistant coach for lower level vaulters of Nu Balance Vaulters, even coaching students to “Tiny Tot” Champion titles. She was an ambassador for the American Vaulting Association at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and was a member of the Cavalcade of Horses’ staff at the California State Fair.
A student at Bella Vista High School, Prints participates in the California Scholarship Federation (academically qualified students tutoring other students for an opportunity to be selected for a scholarship), Art Club, Interact Club (students tackling issues facing their community through community service projects), and Bella Vista Choir. She was also invited to perform with the Sacramento Honor Choir.
In addition to her extracurricular activities, Prints is also active in a variety community service activities, such as Heart Rancho, Spirit of Service, and 30 Hour Famine. She worked as a staff member at the Cordova Christian Camp, helped found Athletes for God with her vaulting team, honoring a team member with Huntington’s disease, and went on a mission trip to Nicaragua through Health Talents International.
A talented student, Prints maintains a 4.33 GPA on a five-point scale and is in the top 10% of her class. Ever since she was young, she has wanted to be a doctor. She plans to attend the University of California Berkeley and earn a Bachelor of Science in either Biology or Molecular & Cell Biology, and then attend medical school and specialize in orthopedic surgery.
Prints will receive a commemorative trophy, a $1,000 grant to the educational program of her choice, and a lifetime membership to USEF, valued at $2,500.
The reserve overall winner of the USEF Youth Sportsman’s Award is McCamey Kimbler of Aberdeen, S.D. She was nominated by the American Endurance Ride Conference and will receive a $500 grant.
The other national nominees were:
Anna Campbell, Wylie, Texas (United States Dressage Federation)
Sydney Collier, Ann Arbor, Mich. (United States Para-Equestrian Association)
Sarah Frushour, Lakewood, Calif. (Welsh Pony and Cob Society of America)
Meagan Hansen, Chico, Calif. (International Andalusian Lusitano Horse Association)
Kathryn Johnson, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada (Arabian Horse Association)
Melissa Kerr, Granville, Ohio (United States Hunter Jumper Association)
Foster Roberts, Georgetown, Ky. (American Saddlebred Horse Association)
Ada Marie Staley, Paris, Ohio (American Morgan Horse Association)
Maria Weber, Salisbury, N.C. (Paso Fino Horse Association)
The USEF Youth Sportsman’s Award is designed to identify potential future leaders in the equine industry and provides an opportunity for the USEF to recognize outstanding youth members for their achievements.
For more information on the USEF Youth Sportsman’s Award, please contact Jennifer Mellenkamp, Director, National Breed/Discipline Affiliates, at jmellenkamp@usef.org or (859) 225-6955.